'World War Z' 2 release date news, sequel update 2016: Brad Pitt reportedly in talks with 'Fight Club' director David Fincher
After losing its director earlier this year, the "World War Z" (2013) sequel just might push through after all.
According to a report from Variety, the sequel could be getting a big-name director, namely "Gone Girl" helmer David Fincher.
The outlet's sources claim that "World War Z" star Brad Pitt has been courting Fincher, with whom he has collaborated on several acclaimed films. Should Fincher agree to direct the sequel to the zombie apocalypse film, the project would reunite him and Pitt, whom he directed in the films "Se7en" (1995), "Fight Club" (1999), and "The Curious Case of Benjamin Button" (2008).
Pitt is attached to star in and produce the sequel, which Skydance Productions and Paramount Pictures are reportedly aiming to film in early 2017.
According to Variety's sources, Pitt and representatives from Skydance and Paramount have been meeting with Fincher over the possibility of the director taking the reins in the sequel.
The sources also claimed that Pitt and Fincher met two weeks ago to discuss the film and that their negotiations seem to be currently going on smoothly. The sources noted that no other directors are in consideration for the sequel.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, while it is unknown if Fincher will agree to direct the second "World War Z" film, the director is known to prefer original material and adaptations over sequels.
The last film Fincher directed was the 2014 psychological thriller "Gone Girl."
"The Impossible" director Juan Antonio Bayona was originally signed to the "World War Z" sequel. In January, it was confirmed that Bayona had left the project to work on the follow-up to "Jurassic World" (2015).
The "World War Z" sequel was initially slated for a June 9, 2017 release. However, following Bayona's departure and with no director signed to the film, the film's release will likely be pushed back. The plot details for the upcoming sequel are still unknown.
Neither Skydance Productions nor Paramount Pictures has commented on this latest development.