David Fincher Enlists For "World War Z 2"
Thursday, April 27, 2017 at 9:36PM Chris here. Looks like the sequel to 2013 surprise megahit (and famously troubled production) World War Z is finally a go - and just landed some major directorial heft. After many rumors of star Brad Pitt's wooing the director were shrugged off, David Fincher is signing on to the film.
Already some Fincher fans and stuffy types are turning up their noses at the news, but it is a potentially inspired choice...
At the time, World War Z surprised everyone by not being a complete mess given its entirely reshot third act and long delays. The film actually holds up as a solid entertainment now that we've forgotten its behind the scenes drama. It's not like Fincher is slumming with a lesser franchise here, as the relationship to Max Brooks's novel was tangential to begin with. Without a preexisting blueprint, Fincher could take the material in any direction he pleases and shouldn't that be exciting for fans? Does anyone really think that a perfectionist like Fincher would sign on to this without being able to put his own stamp on it?
After the production of his HBO adaptation Utopia fell apart mid-production recently, you can see why Fincher would also want to bank on a sure thing (though he also has Netflix's Mindhunter coming this year). In fact, it wouldn't be surprising if whatever he has planned for after this sequel would also be wrapped up in this deal. There's also something exciting about David Fincher returning to a big spectacle and his biggest star collaborator after several intense character dramas. Conversely, his kind of intimacy is also what could make World War Z 2 really sing.
Regardless, after it's become the norm to give franchise reins to newer indie filmmakers, maybe it's time to turn the tentpoles back to the masters like Fincher. What do you think of Fincher joining World War Z 2?
Reader Comments (16)
Consider my nose turned up, I guess. Do we really need more zombie media? Sure, the franchise is kind of a blank slate, but it's just not an exciting prospect.
I'm proud to say I'm one of those stuffy types!
Fincher is too good to be doing a fucking zombie movie!
Don't get me wrong, Fincher's career has been massively disappointing:
Gone Girl, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Panic Room, The Curious Case of Benjamin Button and Fight Club; very cool movie when it came out in 99, but it has aged really badly!
Which usually happens with zeigeist movies!
But for a guy who's made such stellar movies such as Se7en, The Game, Zodiac and The Social Network, doing a follow-up to a really shitty zombie movie that had shoddy CGI, awful action scenes and bland performances, seems like a bad move.
But hey, maybe it'll be great!!
I don't understand the scoffing. Good directors make any idea good. We need more blockbusters directed by auteurs. I'm not saying they shoukd give up their more artistic endeavors, but I'm tired of franchises being handed to the Scott Derricksons and Jon Watts of the world.
Also, you should turn in your film buff card if you're biased against any genre.
Zzzzzzz. Is there a part for me? Seems like a financial decision over art.
^maybe you can be one of the zombies - you would make a great zombie with your stilted/stiff acting!
And also, you sleepwalk through all of your movies!
I love David Fincher as I'm aware of why he's doing it. I might go see it just because of him though I'll watch it w/ very low expectations.
It's gonna keep him from winning that overdue Oscar, but I'll be there for him and Brad.
Ulrich - from your assessment, Fincher hasn't made a great movie in 7 years so I'm not sure he's "above" anything at this point!
I legitimately really enjoyed World War Z (similarly to 30 Days Of Night, it's a hollow genre film that wipes the floor with most of its "lauded" contemporaries) and I seem to remember Ruth Negga being thoroughly enjoyable in its "UK as a substitute Russia" third act...
My bigger concern is whether Fincher is the right choice for the sequel - the original made 2 hours fly by due to constant action. Nobody wants added "character development" and a 3 hour running time!!!!
By the way, Panic Room (15 years ago) seems to be the last of his movies to clock in under 2 hours. Is this right?
Alien ³ remains my favorite Fincher movie.
Best case scenario, this choice means they actually adapt the book this time, because, sorry, they didn't last time. Also: The "Zombies Thirst for Pepsi" scene has to be one of the rock STUPIDEST scenes ever committed to the zombie genre, in any medium.
Ulrich: Wait, you're really saying that in an age that could give us Trump as president that Fight Club has aged badly/is irrelevant? I don't get that. That whole movie is pretty EXPLICITLY about impotent man-baby rage going bad. Which...yeah....it just did.
I'm disappointed by this announcement. Fincher's entitled to make whatever he likes, but it's a shame that a talent as unique as his is being used for a sequel to a run-of-the-mill zombie movie. He should be doing far more inspired, original projects.
WWZ (film) does not resist any critical scrutiny but it's a certainly entertaining and vibrant and fun film.
WWZ (book) is amazing. Some of the stories are so good, they could be expanded and adapted and become Oscar material (specially the japanese one). If Fincher has accepted the gig...
1) He's actually read the book.
2) He's actually happy with the story they're going to adapt.
3) He'll have a say in the final result.
4) We're going to see the best zombie film in years.
5) I really doubt he's doing it for the money.
David Fincher should use his talents for a project more interesting that another zombie movie
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