Cast
Brad Pitt
Gerry
Lane
Mireille Enos
Karin
Lane
Abigail Hargrove
Rachel
Lane
James Badge Dale
Capt.
Speke
Matthew Fox
Parajumper
Fana Mokena
Thierry
Umutoni
David Morse
Burt
Reynolds
Ludi Boeken
Warmbrumm
Michiel Huisman
Ellis
Sterling Jerins
Constance
Lane
Daniella Kertesz
Segen
Fabrizio Zacharee Guido
Tomas
Movie Info
The story revolves
around United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Pitt), who traverses the world in a
race against time to stop a pandemic that is toppling armies and governments
and threatening to decimate humanity itself. (C) Paramount
I’m a huge fan of zombie fiction in all mediums. And I’ve read Max Brooks’ book World War Z, and love it. So it was that, having heard the rumors about reshoots and script problems and significant changes from the source material, I wondered what I was in for when I sat for an advance screening of director Marc Foster’s adaptation film World War Z, staring Brad Pitt (who also produced).
I’m a huge fan of zombie fiction in all mediums. And I’ve read Max Brooks’ book World War Z, and love it. So it was that, having heard the rumors about reshoots and script problems and significant changes from the source material, I wondered what I was in for when I sat for an advance screening of director Marc Foster’s adaptation film World War Z, staring Brad Pitt (who also produced).
However,
regardless of any questions about the film’s possible quality (but don’t worry,
I’ll tell you about that, too), for weeks I’ve felt that with the rising
mainstream popularity of zombie television and films, Pitt’s star power, the
PG-13 rating, and trailers that demonstrated this is a movie that will truly
depict a worldwide apocalyptic scenario, will add up to a good opening weekend.
Whether that leads to longer legs at the box office in subsequent weeks will
depend on the movie’s quality and whether it’s good enough to generate positive
buzz, but in the aftermath of Man of Steel’s blockbuster June opening I’m betting
audiences will be eager for more spectacle and adventurism, and World
War Zwill
attract plenty of business. Read on for details!
I
think the audience word of mouth will be positive. Fans of zombie movies will
be happy because it finally provides a realistic portrayal of zombies on a mass
scale. Regardless of any cynical mutterings prior to release, I think most
genre fans will show up to see the entire world shown under attack by zombies.
Fans of The Walking Dead — and they are legion — will
likewise probably turn out to seeWorld War Z, to satiate their hunger as they
wait for the show to return with a new season. Teens will turn out for the film
as they usually do for horror, and this movie’s PG-13 rating will make it
particularly attractive to them.
It’s being promoted as much as an action-adventure and thriller as anything else, so expect some added crossover mainstream appeal outside of the already broad appeal of zombie fare these days. And Pitt’s name recognition will bring his fanbase (who don’t necessarily show up for his roles in low-budget indie fare, but who can typically be counted on when he delivers a big-budget summer flick like this one).
Finally, while so far there aren’t that many reviews out yet, the early reviews are pretty positive, so if the critical buzz remains good then that will help overcome some of the early media skepticism (which I frankly think is driven mostly by laziness, since once a few reports establish a simple, easily repeatable narrative about a film, the rest tend to pile on) and generate better press coverage that will be more encouraging to those fans who are currently uncertain about the film (particularly some of the most hardcore fans of the book)
Coming this movie.
