plan b

While chatting up “World War Z” author Max Brooks at the booth for comic publisher Avatar Press, the writer confirmed to MTV News that the adaption of his novel about the zombie apocalypse is not only moving forward, but Brad Pitt is now officially attached to star in the film. Additionally, Brooks revealed that Paramount has optioned the movie rights to two more of his projects: “The Zombie Survival Guide” and “The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks” graphic novel.

Pitt’s production company Plan B Entertainment first secured the rights to “World War Z” back in 2007 after a bidding war with Leonardo DiCaprio’s company, Appian Way. The actor has long been rumored as a potential lead for the film, but Brooks received the call confirming Pitt’s attachment (and the other “Survival Guide” deals) while signing copies of the books at the Avatar booth tonight (Wednesday, July 21) during Preview Night at Comic-Con.

Read more/discuss. Thanks Gabriella.

Paramount Pictures’ World War Z keeps inching towards production with news that director of photography Robert Richardson is currently prepping the movie at Elstree Studios in London.

A few weeks ago, we reported that Paramount was seeking another financial backer to share the $125 million production cost. A week after that news hit, we reported that David Ellison and his Skydance Productions company were in talks to co-finance World War Z. It isn’t known if a deal was actually made between Skydance and Paramount, but with the director of photography already starting his prep work, it seems certain World War Z is moving in the right direction. That report indicated a June production start is being targeted by the filmmakers.

Read more/discuss.

The film adaptation of the critically acclaimed novel by The Zombie Survival Guide mastermind Max Brooks is indeed still alive with three co-financiers ready to help resurrect the massive project.

Marc Forster (Monster’s Ball, Quantum of Solace) has been attached to direct World War Z with Brad Pitt to play the leading role of a journalist interviewing those affected by the zombie apocalypse that has engulfed earth after an outbreak has ravaged the world. The novel plays out as a factual account of the zombie war, which details various survivors and their experiences in different parts of the world with the outbreak and fallout.

Read more/discuss. Thanks Sandra.

Last July we found out that Brad Pitt would lead the adaptation of Max Brooks global apocalypse book World War Z, and shortly thereafter a leaked Paramount e-mail confirmed the project’s priority status. However, it’s been about nine months since the, and no development seems to have surfaced. Now Vulture says that’s because Paramount is having some trouble finding a co-financier to help fund the film’s $125 million+ budget. But the worst part is that unless someone steps up to the plate, the adaptation from Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace) could end up dead in the water. Anyone have millions of dollars lying around?
Thankfully, frequent funding friend David Ellison (of Oracle Corp.) might be part of an eleventh hour effort to get the film off the ground. Paramount Film Group President Adam Goodman says, “We’re really committed to making a big, kick-ass giant movie with Marc Forster and Brad Pitt.” Though studios have had trouble with high profile, high concept properties recently (see Universal’s misstep with At the Mountains of Madness), this one seems like less of a problem considering Forster has already agreed to a PG-13 version of the story.

Read more/discuss. Thanks Sandra.

Comic-Con is barely underway in San Diego and we already have some big news from the show floor!

While chatting up “World War Z” author Max Brooks at the booth for comic publisher Avatar Press, the writer confirmed to MTV News that the adaption of his novel about the zombie apocalypse is not only moving forward, but Brad Pitt is now officially attached to star in the film. Additionally, Brooks revealed that Paramount has optioned the movie rights to two more of his projects: “The Zombie Survival Guide” and “The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks” graphic novel.

Read more.