After the production problems World War Z faced – involving ballooning budgets and expensive reshoots – even Paramount was surprised when it became a $500 million grossing hit. The success ensured they wanted a sequel, but it was also clear from early on they didn’t want director Marc Forster – who many have blamed for the first film’s problems (and who reportedly had an extremely fractious relationship with Brad Pitt).
Now they’ve found the man they want to replace Forster for World War Z 2, as Spanish filmmaker Juan Antonio Bayona has signed on to direct World War Z 2, according to THR. Bayona s best known The Orphanage and last year’s The Impossible
Brad Pitt is set to reprise his role as U.N. employee Gerry Lane, although there’s no news on the exact plot, although it’s safe to assume it will continue to look at the aftermath of a zombie apocalypse. No writers are attached to the sequel yet, although it’s reported that Juan Antonio Bayona will oversee the writing process. The director was on a very short list of contenders just a few weeks back before landing the job.