World War Z (film)#Plot

Former United Nations investigator Gerald "Gerry" Lane, his wife, Karin, and their two daughters, Rachel and Connie, are caught in traffic in downtown Philadelphia when a zombie outbreak hits. Escaping the ensuing chaos, they travel to Newark and pick up Tommy, a young boy whose family hunkered down in their apartment and refused to leave. They are rescued by a helicopter sent by Thierry Umutoni, the UN Deputy Secretary-General.

The group is then taken to a US Navy vessel stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, where a team of scientists studies the outbreak. Among them is virologist Andrew Fassbach, who believes that the plague is caused by a virus and that finding its origin is crucial for developing a vaccine. Faced with the threat of eviction from the vessel, Gerry reluctantly agrees to assist Fassbach.

Gerry, Fassbach, and a Navy SEAL escort fly to Camp Humphreys in South Korea, where the first report of zombies was received. Upon arrival, the group is attacked by zombies, causing a panicked Fassbach to slip on the plane ramp and accidentally shoot himself dead. The team is saved by US soldiers stationed at the camp, and Gerry discovers that the infection was brought to the base by its doctor. A CIA officer imprisoned there guides Gerry towards Israel, where the Mossad has established a secure area.

In Jerusalem, Gerry encounters Jurgen Warmbrunn, a high-ranking Mossad official, who mentions that intercepted communications of Indian troops fighting zombies is what led Israel to set up defenses. Jerusalem has protected itself by constructing a massive wall and allowing refugees to seek shelter within the city. However, the refugees' loud celebrations attract zombies, which instinctively form massive castells to overcome the wall. As the city becomes overrun, Warmbrunn instructs Israeli soldiers to accompany Gerry back to his plane. Amidst the mayhem, Gerry observes zombies ignoring an elderly man and a malnourished boy. When one of Gerry's escorts, "Segen", is bitten on her hand, he amputates that limb to prevent her from turning. Together, they escape on a commercial airliner.

Gerry redirects the plane to a medical research facility in Cardiff owned by the World Health Organization. During the journey, a stowaway zombie attacks the passengers. To eliminate the zombies, Gerry detonates a grenade to breach the cabin and expel them; resulting in the plane's crash landing. With Gerry presumed killed, his family is relocated from the carrier to Nova Scotia.

Gerry and Segen survive the crash, although Gerry is trapped in his seat and has sustained injuries. Segen comes to Gerry's aid, and together, they reach the Cardiff facility. Exhausted and wounded, Gerry loses consciousness and wakes up three days later, having been treated by the WHO staff. Sharing his observations, Gerry deduces that the zombies ignore the sick or injured, as they are not suitable hosts for spreading the infection. He proposes injecting healthy individuals with a curable pathogen as a form of "camouflage" against the zombies. The pathogen samples are in a section of the WHO facility infested with zombies. Gerry, Segen, and the head doctor attempt to sneak through the lab but accidentally alert the zombies. The three are separated in a chaotic chase, with Segen and the doctor forced to retreat, leaving Gerry the only one able to reach the samples. Gerry retrieves the samples but is unable to leave because of a lone zombie blocking his path. Out of options, Gerry tests his theory by injecting himself with a sample. As he opens the door, his theory is proven correct: the zombie ignores him completely.

Gerry and Segen reach a secure area in Freeport, Nova Scotia and are reunited with Karin, Gerry's daughters and Tommy, who is now being raised by Karin and Gerry. A vaccine is created, serving as stealth against the zombies, enabling civilians to evacuate infected regions safely and empowering the military to combat the zombies more effectively.

• Brad Pitt as Gerald "Gerry" Lane, a retired United Nations investigator who is recalled to duty to help search for a cure for the zombie pandemic
• Mireille Enos as Karin Lane, Gerry's dedicated and supportive wife.
• Daniella Kertesz as "Segen" (referred to by military rank rather than by name), an Israeli soldier who Gerry meets during his mission.
• James Badge Dale as Captain Speke, a U.S. Army Ranger stationed at Camp Humphreys in South Korea.
• David Morse as an ex-CIA officer imprisoned at Camp Humphreys for assisting North Korea's fight against the zombies
• Fana Mokoena as Thierry Umutoni, an Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations, Gerry's former boss who enlists him to escort the virologist
• David Andrews as the US Navy Captain in charge of the vessel to which the Lane family is brought
• Sterling Jerins as Constance Lane, Gerry and Karin's younger daughter
• Abigail Hargrove as Rachel Lane, Gerry and Karin's older daughter
• Peter Capaldi as W.H.O. doctor in Wales
• Pierfrancesco Favino as W.H.O. doctor in Wales
• Ruth Negga as W.H.O. doctor in Wales
• Moritz Bleibtreu as W.H.O. doctor in Wales
• Ludi Boeken as Jurgen Warmbrunn, a high-ranking Mossad official
• Grégory Fitoussi as the C-130 pilot who flies Gerry from South Korea to Israel

In addition, Elyes Gabel plays Andrew Fassbach, a soon-dead virologist whom Gerry escorted to South Korea. Matthew Fox appears as a crew member of the Navy vessel the Lanes stay on, although most of his scenes were cut from the final film.

File:MarcForsterUpdated2014.jpg was hired to direct the film in 2008.]]

After a bidding war with Appian Way Productions, Brad Pitt's Plan B Entertainment secured the screen rights to Max Brooks' novel in 2007.{{cite news |url= https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/par-plan-b-raise-zombie-1200337692/ |title= Par, Plan B raise 'Zombie' |access-date= July 4, 2020 |work=Variety |last1=LaPorte |first1=Nicole |last2=Fleming |first2=Michael |date=June 14, 2006 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090201031451/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117945332.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |archive-date=February 1, 2009 |url-status= live |df=mdy-all }} The first draft of the screenplay was written by J. Michael Straczynski, who identified the challenge in adapting the work as "creating a main character out of a book that reads as a UN report on the zombie wars."{{cite news |last=Amaya |first=Erik |title=J. Michael Straczynski: Origin of a Writer |work=Comic Book Resources |date=November 19, 2008 |url=http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18888 |access-date=November 20, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110617060322/http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=18888 |archive-date=June 17, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Marc Forster signed on to direct, and described the film as reminiscent of 1970s conspiracy thrillers like All the President's Men (1974).{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Michael |first2=Tatiana |last2=Siegel |title=Forster joins in Paramount's War |work=Variety |date=November 13, 2008 |url= https://variety.com/2008/film/markets-festivals/forster-to-direct-par-s-world-war-z-1117995840/ |access-date= July 4, 2020 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100929194726/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117995840.html?categoryid=13&cs=1 |archive-date=September 29, 2010 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} Straczynski identified the 2002 spy film The Bourne Identity as an appropriate comparison, and noted that the film would have a large international scope that maintained the political emphasis.{{cite news |last=Marshall |first=Rick |title=J. Michael Straczynski On World War Z: "The Scale Of What We're Doing Here Is Phenomenal" |work=MTV Movie Blog |date=December 3, 2008 |url=http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/12/03/j-michael-straczynski-on-world-war-z-the-scale-of-what-were-doing-here-is-phenomenal/ |access-date=December 3, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015220740/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2008/12/03/j-michael-straczynski-on-world-war-z-the-scale-of-what-were-doing-here-is-phenomenal/ |archive-date=October 15, 2011 |url-status=dead }} When asked about his involvement with the film, Brooks stated he had "zero control", but favored a role for Pitt,{{cite web |url=http://www.eatmybrains.com/showfeature.php?id=55 |title=Exclusive interview: Max Brooks on World War Z |work=Eat My Brains! |date=October 20, 2006 |access-date=April 26, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928125652/http://www.eatmybrains.com/showfeature.php?id=55 |archive-date=September 28, 2011 |url-status=live |df=mdy-all }} and expressed approval for Straczynski as screenwriter.{{cite web |url=http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/06/29/wwc-interview-world-war-z-writer-max-brooks/ |title=WWC interview: World War Z writer Max Brooks |access-date=September 19, 2008 |last=Ullrich |first=Chris |date=June 29, 2008 |work=Comic Mix |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111020100312/http://www.comicmix.com/news/2008/06/29/wwc-interview-world-war-z-writer-max-brooks/ |archive-date=October 20, 2011 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.filmbuffonline.com/2008/06/max-brooks-talks-world-war-z-flick.html |title=Max Brooks talks World War Z flick |access-date=September 19, 2008 |date=June 1, 2008 |work=FilmBuff Newsreel |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090208004226/http://www.filmbuffonline.com/2008/06/max-brooks-talks-world-war-z-flick.html |archive-date=February 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }} Brooks said: "I can't give it away, but Straczynski found a way to tie it all together. The last draft I read was amazing."{{cite news |last=Timpone |first=Tony |title=Max Brooks talks World War Z movie |work=Fangoria |date=November 19, 2008 |url=http://www.fangoriaonline.com/home/news/9-film-news/597-max-brooks-talks-world-war-z-movie.html |access-date=November 21, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090608085937/http://www.fangoriaonline.com/home/news/9-film-news/597-max-brooks-talks-world-war-z-movie.html |archive-date=June 8, 2009 |url-status=dead }}

An early script was leaked onto the internet in March 2008, leading to a review by Ain't It Cool News that called it "[not] just a good adaptation of a difficult book [but] a genre-defining piece of work that could well see us all arguing about whether or not a zombie movie qualifies as 'Best Picture' material".{{cite web |author=Moriarty |title=Moriarty's One Thing I Love Today! JMS's World War Z Script! |url=http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36168 |work=Ain't It Cool News |date=March 27, 2008 |access-date=April 23, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015162658/http://www.aintitcool.com/node/36168 |archive-date=October 15, 2011 |url-status=live }} The script was well-enough respected to find a place on the 2007 Black List of "most liked" screenplays not yet produced.{{cite web |url=http://files.blcklst.com/2007_black_list.pdf |title=2007 Black List |publisher=Black List |date=2007 |access-date=November 13, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130721080943/http://files.blcklst.com/2007_black_list.pdf |archive-date=July 21, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} The Ain't It Cool News review also noted the film appears stylistically similar to Children of Men (2006), following Gerry Lane as he travels the post-war world and interviews survivors of the zombie war who are "starting to wonder if survival is a victory of any kind."

In December 2008, Straczynski said he hoped the film would begin production by the start of 2009, but, in March 2009, Forster said the script was still in development and he was not sure if World War Z would be his next film.{{cite web |first=Orlando |last=Parfitt |title=World War Z Update |url=http://movies.ign.com/articles/959/959980p1.html |publisher=NewsCorp |work=IGN |date=March 6, 2009 |access-date=April 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919175541/http://movies.ign.com/articles/959/959980p1.html |archive-date=September 19, 2011 |url-status=live }} Later in March, rumors surfaced that production offices were set up and the film was in early pre-production.{{cite web |first=Ryan |last=Rotten |title=The Undead Rule at Paramount |url=http://shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=9975 |work=ShockTillYouDrop.com |date=March 20, 2009 |access-date=April 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120503094531/http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=9975 |archive-date=May 3, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Then, in June, Forster told an interviewer that the film would be delayed, stating that its script still needed a lot of development and was "still far from realization".{{cite web |first=Garth |last=Franklin |title=World War Z Feature Hits A Delay? |url=http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/14412/-world-war-z-feature-hits-a-delay- |work=Dark Horizons |date=June 16, 2009 |access-date=June 15, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120404192659/http://www.darkhorizons.com/news/14412/-world-war-z-feature-hits-a-delay- |archive-date=April 4, 2012 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}

Brooks revealed that the script was being re-written by Matthew Michael Carnahan in July 2009. He said he believed this "show[ed] [the producer's] confidence in this project" because of the amount of money that was being invested in it.{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Gingold |title=New screenwriter takes on World War Z |url=http://fangoria.com/home/news/9-film-news/3240-new-screenwriter-takes-on-world-war-z.html |publisher=Fangoria |date=July 16, 2009 |access-date=July 17, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090720071416/http://fangoria.com/home/news/9-film-news/3240-new-screenwriter-takes-on-world-war-z.html |archive-date=July 20, 2009 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Paramount Pictures and UTV Motion Pictures announced at the 2010 San Diego Comic-Con that Forster was set as director, and Pitt was confirmed to be playing the lead role.{{cite web |url= http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/07/21/brad-pitt-to-star-in-world-war-z-paramount-options-zombie-survival-guide-recorded-attacks/ |title=Exclusive: Brad Pitt to star in World War Z, Paramount options Zombie Survival Guide and Recorded Attacks |last= Marshall |first= Rick |date=July 22, 2010 |publisher=MTV |access-date=August 5, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111015201715/http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2010/07/21/brad-pitt-to-star-in-world-war-z-paramount-options-zombie-survival-guide-recorded-attacks/ |archive-date=October 15, 2011 |url-status=dead }} In March 2011, it was reported on Vulture that Paramount was searching for a co-financier, and would likely pull the plug on the adaptation without one.{{cite news |last=Brodesser-Akner |first=Claude |title=Brad Pitt's World War Z Could Be (Un)Dead If Paramount Can't Find a Partner |url=http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/03/world_war_z_brad_pitt.html |access-date=July 6, 2011 |newspaper=New York |date=March 21, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920073105/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/03/world_war_z_brad_pitt.html |archive-date=September 20, 2011 |url-status=live }} The article also stated that "an eleventh-hour effort is being made to court frequent Paramount co-financier David Ellison." A week later, it was reported that "hot and heavy talks are going on with David Ellison's Skydance Productions and as many as two other financiers."{{cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mike |title=World War Z With Brad Pitt And Marc Forster Regroups; Can It Beat Imminent Zombie Pic Infestation?|url=https://deadline.com/2011/03/world-war-z-with-brad-pitt-and-marc-forster-regroups-can-it-beat-imminent-zombie-pic-infestation-118224/ |access-date=July 7, 2011 |newspaper=Deadline |date=March 29, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111018070436/http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/world-war-z-with-brad-pitt-and-marc-forster-regroups-can-it-beat-imminent-zombie-pic-infestation/ |archive-date=October 18, 2011 |url-status=live }}

Pre-production began in April 2011, with Robert Richardson being announced as the cinematographer and Nigel Phelps as production designer.{{cite news|last=Connelly|first=Brendon|title=SCOOP: World War Z Going Ahead, Cinematographer Prepping At Studio Right Now|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/04/12/scoop-world-war-z-going-ahead-cinematographer-prepping-at-studio-right-now/|access-date=June 19, 2011|newspaper=BleedingCool.com|date=April 12, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111105201250/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/04/12/scoop-world-war-z-going-ahead-cinematographer-prepping-at-studio-right-now/ | archive-date = November 5, 2011| url-status=live}} In the same month, it was reported that filming locations would include Pinewood Studios and London, England.{{cite web|url=http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/04/02/world-war-z-to-film-in-london-this-year/ |title=World War Z To Film In London This Year |last= Johnston |first= Rich |date=April 4, 2011|work=Bleeding Cool |access-date=April 6, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111016202602/http://www.bleedingcool.com/2011/04/02/world-war-z-to-film-in-london-this-year | archive-date = October 16, 2011| url-status=live}} Also in April, Mireille Enos was cast as Gerry Lane's wife and mother of their two children.{{cite news|last=Kit|first=Borys|title='The Killing' Star in Talks to Play Brad Pitt's Wife in 'World War Z' (Exclusive)|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/killing-star-talks-play-brad-181920 |access-date=June 21, 2011|newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter|date=April 25, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110903040352/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/killing-star-talks-play-brad-181920 | archive-date = September 3, 2011| url-status=live}}

In June, James Badge Dale entered negotiations to join the film as an American soldier who tries to alert the authorities to the zombie threat.{{cite news |title=Brangelina land in Malta this afternoon |url=http://www.showblitz.com/2011/06/james-badge-dale-goes-to-world-war-z.html |date=June 11, 2011 |work=Variety |access-date=June 10, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901231839/http://www.showblitz.com/2011/06/james-badge-dale-goes-to-world-war-z.html |archive-date=September 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} Matthew Fox and Ed Harris entered talks, and Julia Levy-Boeken was set to join the film.{{cite news|last=Fleming|first=Mike|title=Matthew Fox, Ed Harris In 'World War Z' Talks|url=https://deadline.com/2011/06/matthew-fox-ed-harris-in-world-war-z-talks-139664/|access-date=June 23, 2011|newspaper=Deadline Hollywood |date=June 14, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111018062539/http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/matthew-fox-ed-harris-in-world-war-z-talks/ | archive-date = October 18, 2011| url-status=live}} It was reported that filming would begin in Malta the next month and would encompass Valletta and the Three Cities.{{cite news|title=Brangelina land in Malta this afternoon|url=http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/brangelina-land-in-malta-this-afternoon|access-date=June 19, 2011|newspaper=Malta Today|date=June 11, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110901235143/http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/brangelina-land-in-malta-this-afternoon|archive-date=September 1, 2011|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}} A few days later, it was reported that filming would also take place in Glasgow, Scotland, in August,{{cite news|title=Brad Pitt to film horror movie in Glasgow city centre|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13812571|access-date=June 17, 2011|newspaper=BBC|date=June 17, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110919124437/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-13812571 | archive-date = September 19, 2011| url-status=live}} the city doubling for Philadelphia, "with false shop fronts being constructed and American cars on the roads."{{cite news|last=Crook|first=Lauren|title=Big screen heart-throb Brad Pitt will jet into Scotland to film zombie epic|url=http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sunday-mail/2011/06/12/big-screen-heart-throb-brad-pitt-will-jet-into-scotland-to-film-zombie-epic-86908-23196413/|access-date=June 17, 2011|newspaper=Daily Record|date=June 12, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110821073140/http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/sunday-mail/2011/06/12/big-screen-heart-throb-brad-pitt-will-jet-into-scotland-to-film-zombie-epic-86908-23196413/ | archive-date = August 21, 2011| url-status=live}} Glasgow was reportedly chosen after "many months looking for the perfect city centre location to play an important part in the film." Philadelphia was passed on due to "uncertainties about state tax credits for filmmakers."{{cite news|last=Mucha|first=Peter|title=We've lost a Pitt zombie flick|url=http://articles.philly.com/2011-06-15/news/29660684_1_max-brooks-credits-corbett|access-date=June 18, 2011|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=June 15, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110621001809/http://articles.philly.com/2011-06-15/news/29660684_1_max-brooks-credits-corbett | archive-date = June 21, 2011| url-status=dead}} Filming was originally planned to take place in Royal Tunbridge Wells, England before moving to Glasgow.{{cite web |date=August 6, 2011 |last=Britcher |first=Chris |title=Matthew Fox Films 'World War Z' |url=http://www.yourtunbridgewells.co.uk/news/did_leak_scupper_brad_pitt_s_plans_for_town_blockbuster_1_997023?ot=archant.PrintFriendlyPageLayout.ot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002052930/http://www.yourtunbridgewells.co.uk/news/did_leak_scupper_brad_pitt_s_plans_for_town_blockbuster_1_997023?ot=archant.PrintFriendlyPageLayout.ot |url-status=usurped |archive-date=October 2, 2013 |publisher=Your Tunbridge Wells |access-date=October 4, 2012 }}

Later in June, visual effects house Cinesite announced that it would work on "a significant amount of shots".{{cite news|last=Mitchell|first=Wendy|title=Cinesite to do VFX for World War Z|url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/cinesite-to-do-vfx-for-world-war-z/5029238.article|access-date=June 28, 2011|newspaper=Screen Daily|date=June 28, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110903140524/http://www.screendaily.com/news/production/cinesite-to-do-vfx-for-world-war-z/5029238.article | archive-date = September 3, 2011| url-status=live}} At the end of the month, it was reported that, despite previous reports, neither Fox nor Harris would be starring in the film; Fox had a scheduling conflict stemming from his prior commitment to star in Alex Cross with Tyler Perry at Summit Entertainment,{{cite news |date=June 30, 2011 |title=Matthew Fox and Ed Harris Are Out of World War Z |url=http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/06/world_war_z_matthew_fox_ed_har.html |work=New York Magazine |access-date=July 5, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111025214236/http://nymag.com/daily/entertainment/2011/06/world_war_z_matthew_fox_ed_har.html | archive-date = October 25, 2011| url-status=live}} though he was later spotted filming scenes for World War Z in Falmouth, Cornwall.{{cite web |date=August 6, 2011 |title=Matthew Fox Films 'World War Z' |url=http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/gTz-ghtBzev/Matthew+Fox+Films+World+War+Z |publisher=Zimbio |access-date=January 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118215042/http://www.zimbio.com/pictures/gTz-ghtBzev/Matthew+Fox+Films+World+War+Z |archive-date=January 18, 2012 |url-status=live }}

File:WorldWarZGlasgowOB&SWATVehicles.jpg, Glasgow, August 2011]]

With a reported budget of over $125 million, World War Z began principal photography in July 2011 in Malta, with the first images of production being released a few days later.{{cite web |title= Set Photos: Brad Pitt Filming World War Z in Malta |url= https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/78693-set-photos-brad-pitt-filming-world-war-z-in-malta |website= ComingSoon.net |date= June 16, 2011 |access-date= 11 June 2020 }} Filming was scheduled to move to Glasgow in August, with the production company looking to recruit 2,000 local extras for the shoot.{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-14081117 | title=Open casting for Brad Pitt zombie movie in Glasgow |work=BBC News | date=July 8, 2011 | access-date=July 9, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111015163045/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-14081117 | archive-date = October 15, 2011| url-status=live}} At least 3,000 people showed up at a casting call in Glasgow on July 9, hoping for the opportunity to appear in a scene set in a financial district in Philadelphia.{{cite news | url=http://zconnect.org.uk/article/thousands-attend-world-war-z-casting-call | title=Thousands Attend World War Z Casting Call | work=zConnection | date=July 9, 2011 | access-date=July 9, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110727020214/http://zconnect.org.uk/article/thousands-attend-world-war-z-casting-call | archive-date=July 27, 2011 | url-status=dead | df=mdy-all }} Scenes were also shot in Falmouth, Cornwall.{{cite news | url=http://www.gigwise.com/news/64883/Brad-Pitts-Zombie-Film-Heading-For-Cornwall | title=Brad Pitt's zombie film heading for Cornwall | work=GigWise.com | date=July 12, 2011 | access-date=July 12, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110816070105/http://www.gigwise.com/news/64883/Brad-Pitts-Zombie-Film-Heading-For-Cornwall | archive-date = August 16, 2011| url-status=live}} Also in July, actor Elyes Gabel was cast as a character named Fassbach.{{cite news |last=Miller |first=Daniel |date=July 22, 2011 |title='Game of Thrones' Actor Cast in Brad Pitt's 'World War Z' (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/game-thrones-world-war-z-214456 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=July 27, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110930002056/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/game-thrones-world-war-z-214456 | archive-date = September 30, 2011| url-status=live}} Despite opposition from residents, some scenes were shot on the Heygate Estate in South London.{{cite web |date=3 February 2012 |title=South London housing estate residents say no to film-makers|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-16858535 |website=BBC News |access-date=8 June 2021}}

In August, Bryan Cranston entered negotiations to join the film in a "small but flashy" role, but he ultimately had to drop out due to scheduling conflicts. Also in August, filming was set to take place along a road on the perimeter of the Grangemouth Refinery in Grangemouth, Scotland, the location chosen for the length of the road, which was crucial to the shot.{{cite news|title=Film star ready to roll into town|url=http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/film_star_ready_to_roll_into_town_1_1770025|access-date=August 8, 2011|newspaper=Falkirk Herald|date=August 4, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110930235040/http://www.falkirkherald.co.uk/news/local-headlines/film_star_ready_to_roll_into_town_1_1770025|archive-date=September 30, 2011|url-status=dead}} A few days later, Paramount announced the film would be released on December 21, 2012.{{cite news |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=August 9, 2011 |title=Box Office Smackdown: Brad Pitt's 'World War Z' to Open Against Johnny Depp's 'Lone Ranger' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/box-office-smackdown-brad-pitts-220980 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=August 9, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111003013050/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/box-office-smackdown-brad-pitts-220980 | archive-date = October 3, 2011| url-status=live}} Later in the same month, filming began in Glasgow. The location manager for the film said Glasgow had been chosen because of its architecture, wide roads, and grid layout.{{cite news |date=August 14, 2011 |title=Filming starts in Glasgow for Brad Pitt zombie movie |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-14523503 |work=BBC |access-date=August 15, 2011| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110926230052/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-14523503 | archive-date = September 26, 2011| url-status=live}} Scenes were also filmed aboard the Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Argus, before the Glasgow shoot. The ship was turned into the "USS Madison", which involved stenciling a new pennant number on the funnel and adding some "Americanism" to the superstructure. Steven McMenemy, the Argus{{'}}s navigator said: "The ship sailed and we were joined by four small catamarans which were being used as markers for the cameras, so that warships could be added in with CGI later."{{cite web |date=September 2, 2011 |title=Navy crew tell of working with Brad Pitt for World War Z |url=http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2011/09/navy-crew-tell-of-working-with.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111002163321/http://blogs.coventrytelegraph.net/thegeekfiles/2011/09/navy-crew-tell-of-working-with.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 2, 2011 |work=Coventry Telegraph |access-date=June 24, 2013 }} In October, David Morse was cast as a "prisoner living in an abandoned jail."{{cite web |date=October 6, 2011 |title=David Morse To Zombie Pic World War Z |url=https://www.deadline.com/2011/10/david-morse-joins-world-war-z/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=October 9, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008194423/http://www.deadline.com/2011/10/david-morse-joins-world-war-z/ |archive-date=October 8, 2011| url-status=dead}}

The filmmakers initially intended to film a climactic battle scene set in Russia, and the crew moved to Budapest to film it there.{{cite journal | last=Holson | first=Laura M. | url=http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/06/brad-pitt-world-war-z-drama | title=Brad's War | journal=Vanity Fair | date=June 2013 | access-date=June 21, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170508123317/http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/06/brad-pitt-world-war-z-drama | archive-date=May 8, 2017 | url-status=live }} Filming in Budapest commenced on the evening of October 10.{{cite news |url=http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/counter-terrorism-police-seize-machine-guns-from-world-war-z-set/story-e6frfmvr-1226163591484 |title=Counter-terrorism police seize World War Z machine guns |date=October 11, 2011 |work=News.com.au |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011104008/http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/movies/counter-terrorism-police-seize-machine-guns-from-world-war-z-set/story-e6frfmvr-1226163591484 |archive-date=October 11, 2011 |url-status=live }} That morning, the Hungarian Counter Terrorism Centre raided the warehouse where guns had been delivered for use as filming props. The 85 assault rifles, sniper rifles, and handguns had been flown into Budapest overnight on a private aircraft, but the film's producers had failed to clear the delivery with Hungarian authorities, and, while the import documentation indicated the weapons had been disabled, all were found to be fully functional.{{cite news |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/swat-team-raids-brad-pitts-world-war-z-set-20111010 |title=SWAT Team Raids Brad Pitt's World War Z Set |last=Johnson |first=Zach |date=October 10, 2011 |work=US Weekly |access-date=October 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111011075340/http://www.usmagazine.com/moviestvmusic/news/swat-team-raids-brad-pitts-world-war-z-set-20111010 |archive-date=October 11, 2011 |url-status=live }} On February 10, 2012, the charges were dropped after investigators were unable to identify exactly which "organization or person" had "ownership rights"; therefore they could not "establish which party was criminally liable".{{cite news|last=Grossberg|first=Josh|title=Brad Pitt's Illegal Gun Cache: Is He Really in Serious Trouble?|url= http://www.eonline.com/news/brad_pitts_illegal_gun_cache_really_in/293336 |access-date=March 2, 2012|newspaper=E!|date=February 10, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120314142345/http://www.eonline.com/news/brad_pitts_illegal_gun_cache_really_in/293336 |archive-date=March 14, 2012|url-status=live}}

Principal photography wrapped on November 4, 2011.

In June 2012, screenwriter Damon Lindelof was hired to rewrite the film's third act, with reshoots scheduled to begin that September or October.{{cite news |last1=Kit |first1=Borys |last2=Masters |first2=Kim |date=June 6, 2012 |title=Damon Lindelof to Rewrite 'World War Z' (Exclusive) |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/damon-lindelof-world-war-z-prometheus-brad-pitt-335241 |work= The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610160532/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/damon-lindelof-world-war-z-prometheus-brad-pitt-335241 |archive-date=June 10, 2012 |url-status=live }} He was brought in as a new set of eyes not burdened by all the history of the script and said: "[Brad Pitt] took me through how excited he was when he read the book, what was exciting for him, the geopolitical aspect of it. But when we started working on the script, a lot of that stuff had to fall away for the story to come together."{{cite web |last=M. Holson |first=Laura |title=Brad's War |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/06/brad-pitt-world-war-z-drama |publisher=Vanity Fair |access-date=May 8, 2018 |date=June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180515110301/https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2013/06/brad-pitt-world-war-z-drama |archive-date=May 15, 2018 |url-status=live }} Lindelof explained that there were inefficiencies in the script in relation to the shooting that started before the script was finalized, making the ending "abrupt and incoherent", and that the film was missing a large chunk of footage. He presented two options to executives, who ultimately chose to shoot 30 to 40 minutes of additional footage to change the ending. However, Lindelof did not have time to script the new ending, so in July Paramount hired his Lost partner Drew Goddard to finish the work.{{cite news |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=July 11, 2012 |title=Comic-Con: Drew Goddard Scripts New Ending To Brad Pitt's World War Z |url=https://deadline.com/2012/07/comic-con-drew-goddard-scripts-new-ending-to-brad-pitts-world-war-z-298751/ |website=Deadline Hollywood |access-date=July 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120712060651/http://www.deadline.com/2012/07/comic-con-drew-goddard-scripts-new-ending-to-brad-pitts-world-war-z/ |archive-date=July 12, 2012 |url-status=live }} Goddard later told Creative Screenwriting: "To me the big lesson of World War Z was that Paramount, Plan B and Brad Pitt simply said, 'Let's take the time to make this movie the best version of the movie before we put it on the screen for audience.'{{sic}} That doesn't happen a lot. A lot of times they just throw the movie out there and say, 'We'll make all our money opening weekend and then the movie will go away.' I came away from it thinking, 'Why don't we do this on more movies?'"{{cite web|url=http://creativescreenwriting.com/life-goes-on-drew-goddard-on-the-martian/|title=Life Goes On: Drew Goddard on The Martian|last=McKittrick|first=Christopher|date=August 20, 2015|publisher=Creative Screenwriting|access-date=August 20, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160109053739/http://creativescreenwriting.com/life-goes-on-drew-goddard-on-the-martian/|archive-date=January 9, 2016|url-status=live}}

The re-shoots, coupled with other overages, caused the film's budget to balloon to around $190 million, which shocked Paramount president Marc Evans.{{Cite magazine |last=Smith |first=Grady |title=Box office report: 'Monsters University' scares up $82 million |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=June 23, 2013 |url=http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/06/23/box-office-report-monsters-university-world-war-z |access-date=July 20, 2013 |quote=The zombie thriller, which reportedly cost over $200 million to produce (Paramount is admitting to $190 million)... |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719102624/http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/06/23/box-office-report-monsters-university-world-war-z/ |archive-date=July 19, 2013 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Grover |first1=Ronald |last2=Michaud |first2=Chris |date=June 23, 2013 |title='Monsters University' scares zombies to lead U.S. box office |work=Reuters |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-boxoffice-idUKBRE95M0B320130623 |access-date=July 20, 2013 |quote=Paramount said the film, which Pitt produced, cost $190 million to produce. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130720211547/http://uk.reuters.com/article/2013/06/23/uk-boxoffice-idUKBRE95M0B320130623 |archive-date=July 20, 2013 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |url=http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/04/brad-pitt-world-war-z-budget |title=Exclusive: The Making of Brad Pitt's World War Z, from Stunning Budget Overages and a Re-Shot Ending to Lots of On-Set Drama |date=April 30, 2013 |publisher=Vanity Fair |access-date=May 5, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130503084426/http://www.vanityfair.com/online/oscars/2013/04/brad-pitt-world-war-z-budget |archive-date=May 3, 2013 |url-status=live }} Several of the scenes shot in Budapest, including a large-scale battle with the zombies in Moscow's Red Square,{{cite news |last=Cole |first=Jake |date=June 19, 2013 |title=Brad Pitt On 'World War Z': 'We Were Bored, Ourselves' |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/brad-pitt-world-war-z_n_3467346.html? |work=The Huffington Post |agency=Associated Press |access-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624050541/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/19/brad-pitt-world-war-z_n_3467346.html |archive-date=June 24, 2013 |url-status=live }} were dropped from the final cut in order to water down the film's political undertones and steer it towards a more generally friendly summer blockbuster.{{cite web |date=March 29, 2013 |title=Brad Pitt: 'World War Z bogged down in politics' |url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/10323267.Brad_Pitt___World_War_Z_bogged_down_in_politics_/ |work=The Press |access-date=April 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609164751/http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/showbiz/10323267.Brad_Pitt___World_War_Z_bogged_down_in_politics_/ |archive-date=June 9, 2013 |url-status=live }} The climactic battle scene in Russia, for which there was 12 minutes of footage, reportedly had Pitt's character fighting through zombies more like "a warrior hero" than "the sympathetic family man" of the earlier acts. The second-unit director, Simon Crane, said: "It wasn't character-driven anymore... [The filmmakers] really needed to think about what they wanted to do with the third act." Additional scenes were also filmed at the Pfizer building at Discovery Park in Sandwich, Kent, for scenes where Gerry tries to find a cure for the zombie pandemic.{{cite web |title=Kent Film Office World War Z Film Focus |date=June 12, 2013 |url=http://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/2013/06/world-war-z-2013/ |access-date=November 4, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105143842/http://kentfilmoffice.co.uk/2013/06/world-war-z-2013/ |archive-date=November 5, 2013 |url-status=live }}

In March 2013, it was reported that Paramount changed a scene in the film, in which the characters speculate that the zombie outbreak originated in mainland China, in hopes of landing a distribution deal in the country.{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |date=March 31, 2013 |title=Fearing Chinese Censors, Paramount Changes World War Z (Exclusive) |url=https://thewrap.com/movies/article/fearing-chinese-censors-paramount-changes-world-war-z-exclusive-83316 |work=TheWrap |access-date=April 1, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130402105851/http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/fearing-chinese-censors-paramount-changes-world-war-z-exclusive-83316 |archive-date=April 2, 2013 |url-status=live }} An executive familiar with upcoming releases in China told TheWrap in June that a cut of the film was rejected by Chinese censors. A Paramount executive contended that he was "unaware of any rejection", explaining: "We have submitted one version and have yet to receive a response."{{cite news |last=Shaw |first=Lucas |date=June 3, 2013 |title=Insider: China Censors Rejected Brad Pitt's 'World War Z' (Exclusive) |url=https://thewrap.com/movies/article/brad-pitt-world-war-z-china-rejecting-zombie-apocalypse-95051 |work=TheWrap |access-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608015925/http://www.thewrap.com/movies/article/brad-pitt-world-war-z-china-rejecting-zombie-apocalypse-95051 |archive-date=June 8, 2013 |url-status=live }}

{{Main|World War Z (soundtrack)}}

In December 2011, it was reported that Marco Beltrami had signed on to score World War Z.{{cite news |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/12/27/marco-beltrami-to-score-world-war-z/ |title=Marco Beltrami to Score World War Z |date=December 27, 2011 |publisher=Film Music Reporter |access-date=January 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120105022342/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2011/12/27/marco-beltrami-to-score-world-war-z/ |archive-date=January 5, 2012 |url-status=live }} In May 2013, the British rock band Muse posted a video on their YouTube channel that hinted they would be contributing to the soundtrack of the film; the song "The 2nd Law: Isolated System" from their 2012 album The 2nd Law and the instrumental version of "Follow Me" produced by the electronic band Nero were used.{{cite AV media |url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sObfVQoD9wM/ |title=Z |date=May 21, 2013 |publisher=Official Muse Youtube channel |format= video |via= YouTube |access-date= May 21, 2013 }} On June 18, 2013, Warner Bros. Records released the soundtrack album for the film, which featured the original score composed by Beltrami.{{cite news |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2013/05/28/world-war-z-soundtrack-details/ |title=World War Z Soundtrack Details |date=May 28, 2013 |publisher=Film Music Reporter |access-date=June 12, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613123739/http://filmmusicreporter.com/2013/05/28/world-war-z-soundtrack-details/ |archive-date=June 13, 2013 |url-status=live }}

File:Brad_Pitt_(8993537585).jpg attending the Sydney premiere of the film]]

World War Z was initially scheduled for release by Paramount and Skydance on December 21, 2012, but in March 2012 it was pushed back to June 21, 2013, with Paramount electing to release Jack Reacher on the December 2012 date.{{cite news |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-release-one-shot-world-war-z-release-brad-pitt-tom-cruise-299280 |title=Paramount Release Shakeup: Tom Cruise's 'One Shot' to Christmas; Brad Pitt's 'World War Z' to Summer |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |date=March 13, 2012 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=March 14, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120315090220/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-release-one-shot-world-war-z-release-brad-pitt-tom-cruise-299280 |archive-date=March 15, 2012 |url-status=live }} Its world premiere was held at the Empire Cinema in Leicester Square, London, on June 2, 2013.{{cite web |last1=Galuppo |first1=Mia |title='World War Z' Premiere: The Zombie Apocalypse Starts in London |date=June 3, 2013 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/brad-pitt-angelina-jolie-world-561857/1-mireille-enos |publisher=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150329010652/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/gallery/brad-pitt-angelina-jolie-world-561857/1-mireille-enos |archive-date=March 29, 2015 |url-status=live }} On June 6, Brad Pitt attended screenings of the film in Atlanta, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Austin, all on the same day.{{cite news|last=Ford|first=Rebecca|title=Brad Pitt Surprises Fans at Four 'World War Z' Screenings in One Day|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/brad-pitt-at-world-war-564760|work=The Hollywood Reporter|access-date=June 27, 2013|date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625211119/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/brad-pitt-at-world-war-564760|archive-date=June 25, 2013|url-status=live}} The film was released at Glasgow's Grosvenor Cinema in Ashton Lane on June 19, two days before its global launch,{{cite web |url=http://www.scotsman.com/the-scotsman/scotland/brad-pitt-s-world-war-z-gets-early-glasgow-showing-1-2943689 |title=Brad Pitt's World War Z gets early Glasgow showing}} and opened the 35th Moscow International Film Festival the next day.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2013/05/world-war-z-to-open-35th-moscow-international-film-festival-503678/ |title=World War Z To Open 35th Moscow International Film Festival |access-date=May 28, 2013 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=May 18, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130618085903/http://www.deadline.com/2013/05/world-war-z-to-open-35th-moscow-international-film-festival/ |archive-date=June 18, 2013 |url-status=live }} In all, Paramount spent $160 million marketing the film worldwide.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/03/hunger-games-catching-fire-hobbit-desolation-of-smaug-profit-most-profitable-movies-2013-701686/|title=2013 Most Valuable Blockbuster – #5 'The Hunger Games: Catching Fire' Vs. #12 'World War Z'; #4 'Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug' Vs. #13 'Oz The Great And Powerful'|first= Mike Jr. |last=Fleming |date=March 21, 2014|access-date=February 6, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181223030158/https://deadline.com/2014/03/hunger-games-catching-fire-hobbit-desolation-of-smaug-profit-most-profitable-movies-2013-701686/|archive-date=December 23, 2018|url-status=live}}

The film was released on Blu-ray and DVD on September 24, 2013. The Blu-ray release includes an unrated alternate cut of the film{{cite web|first=Gerald|last=Wurm |url=http://www.movie-censorship.com/news_en.php?ID=5877 |title=World War Z - Unrated Cut Release in September - Director Forster Keeps his Promise |publisher=Movie-Censorship.com |access-date=2013-10-09}} that features seven minutes of additional footage, most of which consists of additional moments of violence and suspense in the action scenes.

The film grossed $202.41 million in North America and $337.6{{nbsp}}million in other territories, for a worldwide total of $540{{nbsp}}million.{{cite web |date= 2013-06-23 |title=World War Z |url= https://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=worldwarz.htm |work=Box Office Mojo |access-date=2013-09-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190727002400/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=worldwarz.htm |archive-date=July 27, 2019 |url-status=live }} Variety called it a "bona-fide box office hit",{{cite news |url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/summer-box-office-looks-to-break-record-despite-flops-1200576830/ |title=Box office summer 2013 record likely despite The Lone Ranger flop |publisher=Variety |date=2013-08-11 |access-date=2013-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171016095541/http://variety.com/2013/film/news/summer-box-office-looks-to-break-record-despite-flops-1200576830/ |archive-date=October 16, 2017 |url-status=live }} although Deadline Hollywood later said it "barely broke even".

In North America, the film earned $25.2{{nbsp}}million on its opening day,{{cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2013/06/world-war-z-begins-international-roll-out-strongly-in-australia-korea-526089/|title=World War Z Zombies Walk Tall For $25.5M Friday/$63M Weekend: Monsters University Huge #1 With $30.8M/$79M For Pixar's 2nd Biggest; Man Of Steel Now $346.5M Global|first=Nikki|last=Finke|date=June 22, 2013|access-date=June 22, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130623011829/http://www.deadline.com/2013/06/world-war-z-begins-international-roll-out-strongly-in-australia-korea/|archive-date=June 23, 2013|url-status=live}} including $3.6{{nbsp}}million from Thursday night and midnight shows.{{cite news|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-report-brad-pitts-572656|title=Box Office Report: Brad Pitt's 'World War Z' Opens to $3.6 Million Thursday Night|first1=Pamela|last1=McClintock|first2=Rebecca|last2=Ford|date=June 21, 2013|access-date=June 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130624025142/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/box-office-report-brad-pitts-572656|archive-date=June 24, 2013|url-status=live|work=The Hollywood Reporter}} It went on to earn $66.4{{nbsp}}million its opening weekend, finishing second to Monsters University at the box office.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3695&p=.htm |title=Weekend Report: 'Monsters' and Zombies Both Win On Busy Weekend |publisher=Box Office Mojo |date=2013-06-23 |access-date=2013-06-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517082859/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/news/?id=3695&p=.htm |archive-date=May 17, 2019 |url-status=live }} This was, at the time, the second-largest opening weekend for a film that did not debut in first place (behind The Day After Tomorrow (2004) with $85.8{{nbsp}}million),{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/opennot1.htm |title=BIGGEST OPENING WEEKENDS NOT AT #1 |publisher=Boxofficemojo.com |access-date=2013-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191002185800/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/opennot1.htm |archive-date=October 2, 2019 |url-status=live }} the largest opening weekend for a film starring Brad Pitt, and the sixth-largest opening among films released in June.{{cite web |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=06&p=.htm |title=Top June Opening Weekends |publisher=Boxofficemojo.com |access-date=2013-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190830125542/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/weekends/month/?mo=06&p=.htm |archive-date=August 30, 2019 |url-status=live }}

In other territories, the film earned $5.7{{nbsp}}million on its opening day (Thursday, June 20, 2013), and $45.8{{nbsp}}million its opening weekend, ranking third.

{{RT prose|{{RT data|score}}|{{RT data|average}}|{{RT data|count}}|It's uneven and diverges from the source book, but World War Z still brings smart, fast-moving thrills and a solid performance from Brad Pitt to the zombie genre.|ref=yes|access-date=2023-07-08}} {{MC film|63|46|ref=yes|access-date=2023-07-08}} Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.{{cite web |url= https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |title= CinemaScore |work= cinemascore.com |access-date= |archive-date=December 20, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20181220122629/https://www.cinemascore.com/publicsearch/index/title/ |url-status= live }}

Richard Roeper of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film a 3.5 out of 4, saying: "It's entertaining as hell" and provides "nearly non-stop action". Peter Travers of Rolling Stone gave the film a 3 out of 4, saying that "the suspense is killer".{{Cite web |first= Richard |last=Roeper |author-link= Richard Roeper |url=http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/worldwarz.aspx|title=World War Z |website=www.richardroeper.com |access-date= 2018-10-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029152423/http://www.richardroeper.com/reviews/worldwarz.aspx|archive-date=October 29, 2018|url-status=live}} Henry Barnes of The Guardian considered the film an "attempt at large-scale seriousness" in the zombie genre that resulted in a "punchy, if conventional action thriller."{{cite news|last=Barnes|first=Henry|title=World War Z – first look review|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jun/07/world-war-z-review |newspaper=The Guardian|date=June 7, 2013|location=London|access-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170118052635/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2013/jun/07/world-war-z-review |archive-date=January 18, 2017|url-status=live}} Writing for Variety, Scott Foundas found the film a "surprisingly smart, gripping and imaginative addition to the zombie-movie canon", which shows "few visible signs of the massive rewrites, reshoots and other post-production patchwork."{{cite news|last=Foundas|first=Scott|title=Film Review: 'World War Z'|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/world-war-z-review-1200492031/|newspaper=Variety|date=June 4, 2013|access-date=December 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207114637/http://variety.com/2013/film/reviews/world-war-z-review-1200492031/|archive-date=December 7, 2017|url-status=live}} Todd McCarthy of The Hollywood Reporter opined that "Brad Pitt delivers a capable performance in an immersive apocalyptic spectacle about a global zombie uprising."{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |date=June 4, 2013 |title=World War Z: Film Review |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/movie/world-war-z/review/562560 |newspaper=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 13, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130611033345/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/world-war-z/review/562560 |archive-date=June 11, 2013 |url-status=live }} A. O. Scott of The New York Times said, "[It] does not try to extend the boundaries of commercial entertainment but does what it can to find interesting ways to pass the time within them."{{cite news |last=Scott |first=A. O. |date=June 20, 2013 |title=These Dead Don't Walk. They Run. |url=http://movies.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/movies/world-war-z-stars-brad-pitt-battling-zombies.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130622083926/http://movies.nytimes.com/2013/06/21/movies/world-war-z-stars-brad-pitt-battling-zombies.html |archive-date=June 22, 2013 |url-status=live }} Kenneth Turan of the Los Angeles Times remarked that "World War Z plays a bit like a series of separate films and the juncture where the new final act was grafted onto the proceedings is unmistakable, but unless you knew about the film's troubled past, you'd never guess it existed."{{cite news |last=Turan |first=Kenneth |date=June 20, 2013 |title=Review: 'World War Z' gets a rise from the undead |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-world-war-z-review-20130621,0,7552537.story |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |access-date=June 21, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130621031358/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/moviesnow/la-et-mn-world-war-z-review-20130621,0,7552537.story |archive-date=June 21, 2013 |url-status=live }}

In a negative review, Joe Neumaier of the New York Daily News said that World War Z "is no summer thriller. It's an anemic actioner that fosters excitement like dead limbs as it lumbers toward a conclusion."{{cite news | url = http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/one-star-review-world-war-zzzzzz-article-1.1375665 | first = Joe | last = Neumaier | work = The New York Daily News | title = 'World War Z' review: Brad Pitt's pit against zombies, but star can't breathe life into predictable flick | date = 2013-06-18 | access-date = 2013-07-14 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130622064031/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/one-star-review-world-war-zzzzzz-article-1.1375665 | archive-date = June 22, 2013 | url-status = live }} Robbie Collin of The Daily Telegraph thought the film had been affected by its troubled development, observing that "the final product has an elaborate uselessness about it", and the film has "no heart to be found amid the guts."{{cite news|last=Collin|first=Robbie|title=World War Z, review|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10095159/World-War-Z-review.html|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=June 3, 2013|author-link=Robbie Collin|location=London|access-date=April 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219030424/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/10095159/World-War-Z-review.html|archive-date=December 19, 2017|url-status=dead}} Alonso Duralde of TheWrap said: "For all its effectiveness at portraying the horror of possible human extinction, the film's actual humans are so soulless that this could just as well be the movie version of the video game Plants vs. Zombies."{{cite web |last=Duralde |first=Alonso |date=June 18, 2013 |title='World War Z' Review: Humanity Under Attack - and That's Just the Script (Video) |url=https://thewrap.com/movies/column-post/world-war-z-review-humanity-under-attack-and-thats-just-script-98041 |work=TheWrap |access-date=June 19, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130620141813/http://www.thewrap.com/movies/column-post/world-war-z-review-humanity-under-attack-and-thats-just-script-98041 |archive-date=June 20, 2013 |url-status=live }}

Rotten Tomatoes lists the film on its 100 Best Zombie Movies, Ranked by Tomatometer.{{Cite web |title=100 Best Zombie Movies, Ranked by Tomatometer |url=https://editorial.rottentomatoes.com/guide/essential-zombie-movies/ |access-date=2025-05-04 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en-US}}

{{Anchor|Awards|Accolades}}

A tie-in mobile game was developed by Phosphor Games Studio and released for iOS in May 2013. The game is a spin-off from the movie, set in Denver, Kyoto and Paris and features an original cast of characters.{{cite web |url=http://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/05/app-review-there-is-nowhere-to-hide-when-world-war-z-goes-mobile/ |title=App Review: There Is Nowhere To Hide When World War Z Goes Mobile |publisher=Kotaku Australia |date=2013-05-31 |access-date=2013-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130628151713/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/05/app-review-there-is-nowhere-to-hide-when-world-war-z-goes-mobile/ |archive-date=June 28, 2013 |url-status=dead }}

In April 2019, Saber Interactive released a co-operative third-person shooter game of the same name for PlayStation 4, Windows PC, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch, which includes missions set around the world in New York, Jerusalem, Moscow, Tokyo, and Marseille.{{Cite web|url=https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/7/16749798/world-war-z-game-trailer-tga-2017|title=World War Z is becoming a video game|last=McWhertor|first=Michael|date=2017-12-07|website=Polygon|access-date=2017-12-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209100157/https://www.polygon.com/2017/12/7/16749798/world-war-z-game-trailer-tga-2017|archive-date=December 9, 2017|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=http://www.pcgamer.com/world-war-z-is-coming-to-steam/|title=World War Z is a four-player co-op survival game, coming next year (Update)|work=pcgamer|access-date=2017-12-08 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171209100006/http://www.pcgamer.com/world-war-z-is-coming-to-steam/|archive-date=December 9, 2017|url-status=live}}

According to a report in the Los Angeles Times in January 2012, at that time Marc Forster and Paramount Pictures both viewed "World War Z as a trilogy that would have the grounded, gun-metal realism of, say, Damon's Jason Bourne series tethered to the unsettling end-times vibe of AMC's The Walking Dead."{{cite news |date=January 3, 2012 |last=Boucher |first=Geoff |title=Brad Pitt's double play |url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-en-brad-pitt-20120103,0,4537017.story |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=January 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107134128/http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/news/la-en-brad-pitt-20120103,0,4537017.story |archive-date=January 7, 2012 |url-status=live }} Plans for future installments were shelved for a time due to the film's production troubles, but in June 2013, after the successful opening of the film, Paramount announced it was moving ahead with a sequel.{{cite news |date=June 23, 2013 |last=McClintock |first=Pamela |title=Paramount, Brad Pitt Set Sights on 'World War Z' Sequel |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-brad-pitt-set-sights-573814 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 23, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130626032322/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/paramount-brad-pitt-set-sights-573814 |archive-date=June 26, 2013 |url-status=live }} In December, it was reported that J. A. Bayona had been chosen to direct the film,{{cite news |date=December 10, 2013 |last=Jagernauth |first=Kevin |title='World War Z' Sequel Digs Up A Director |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/world-war-z-sequel-digs-up-a-director-20131210 |work=IndieWire |access-date=December 10, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131214025721/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/world-war-z-sequel-digs-up-a-director-20131210 |archive-date=December 14, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }} and in May 2014 Steven Knight was set to write the script.{{cite news|title=Brad Pitt's 'World War Z' Sequel to Be Written by 'Locke' Director Steven Knight|url=https://thewrap.com/brad-pitts-world-war-z-sequel-to-be-written-by-locke-director-steven-knight/|access-date=2 June 2014|publisher=thewrap.com|date=28 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191113000939/https://www.thewrap.com/brad-pitts-world-war-z-sequel-to-be-written-by-locke-director-steven-knight/|archive-date=November 13, 2019|url-status=live}} In May 2015, it was announced the sequel would be released on June 9, 2017,{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/world-war-z-sequel-gets-797552|title='World War Z' Sequel Gets 2017 Release Date|first=Natalie|last=Stone|work=The Hollywood Reporter|publisher=(Prometheus Global Media)|date=May 21, 2015|access-date=May 22, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522112905/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/world-war-z-sequel-gets-797552|archive-date=May 22, 2015|url-status=live}} but in January 2016 Paramount announced director Bayona had left the project due to other commitments.{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/world-war-z-sequel-juan-854855|title=Juan Antonio Bayona Out as 'World War Z' Sequel Director|first1=Ryan |last1=Parker |first2=Borys |last2=Kit|work=The Hollywood Reporter|date=January 11, 2016|access-date=January 12, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160112121645/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/world-war-z-sequel-juan-854855|archive-date=January 12, 2016|url-status=live}}

Variety reported in August 2016 that the sequel was not yet in production, but David Fincher had entered negotiations to be the director, and in April 2017 it was reported Fincher was close to a deal to sign on.{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/david-fincher-world-war-z-sequel-brad-pitt-1201819540/|title=Brad Pitt Courting David Fincher for 'World War Z' Sequel (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Justin|last=Kroll|date=August 10, 2016|access-date=October 28, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017141910/http://variety.com/2016/film/news/david-fincher-world-war-z-sequel-brad-pitt-1201819540/|archive-date=October 17, 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite journal |url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/david-fincher-world-war-z-2-director-1202399978/ |title=David Fincher Close to Deal to Direct 'World War Z 2' |date=April 26, 2017 |access-date=August 7, 2018 |last=Kroll |first=Justin |journal=Variety |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427025145/http://variety.com/2017/film/news/david-fincher-world-war-z-2-director-1202399978/ |archive-date=April 27, 2017 |url-status=live }} On February 8, 2017, Paramount announced the sequel had still not started filming and would not be released until 2018, or possibly even 2019.{{cite news|url=http://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/world-war-z-2-delayed-reports-say-1.13084242|title='World War Z 2' delayed, reports say|last=Guzmán|first=Rafer|date=February 8, 2017|access-date=August 7, 2018|newspaper=Newsday|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180702011028/https://www.newsday.com/entertainment/movies/world-war-z-2-delayed-reports-say-1.13084242|archive-date=July 2, 2018}}

Fincher was confirmed by Paramount as the director of the sequel in June 2017, with Brad Pitt to play again the role of Gerry Lane.{{cite web |last= Mithaiwala |first= Mansoor |title=World War Z 2: Paramount Boss Confirms David Fincher & Brad Pitt|url=https://screenrant.com/world-war-z-2-paramount-fincher-pitt/|website=Screenrant|access-date=May 9, 2018|date=June 22, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615032415/https://screenrant.com/world-war-z-2-paramount-fincher-pitt/|archive-date=June 15, 2018|url-status=live}} Filming was slated to start in fall of 2018,{{cite tweet |user=krolljvar |number=969029256943566848 |last=Kroll |first=Justin |date=February 28, 2018 |access-date=August 7, 2018 |title=On this one, don't know what this means for Cruise and this movie (likely means he passed) but had heard later this week that WWZ2 had pushed to the fall shoot leaving time for Pitt to squeeze in this pic}} though this later changed due to Fincher's involvement in the television series Mindhunter.{{cite web |last= Chitwood |first= Adam |title='World War Z 2' Won't Be Shooting This Year as Fincher Focuses on 'Mindhunter'.|url=http://collider.com/world-war-z-2-update/#david-fincher|website=Collider|access-date=May 9, 2018|date=April 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180509221030/http://collider.com/world-war-z-2-update/#david-fincher|archive-date=May 9, 2018|url-status=live}} In October 2018, producer Dede Gardner confirmed the sequel would begin filming in June 2019,{{Cite web|url= https://geektyrant.com/news/director-david-fincher-will-reportedly-start-shooting-world-war-z-2-in-march|title=Director David Fincher will Reportedly Start Shooting WORLD WAR Z 2 in March|website=GeekTyrant |date=January 11, 2019 |access-date=2019-01-13}} and there were several months of pre-production and staffing for principal photography in five countries, but, in February 2019, the film was cancelled.{{cite web |last=Perez |first=Rodrigo |title=Paramount Pulls The Plug On David Fincher's 'World War Z' Sequel |url=https://theplaylist.net/paramount-david-fincher-world-war-z-exclusive-20190206/ |publisher=The Playlist |date=February 6, 2019 |access-date=February 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190208205703/https://theplaylist.net/paramount-david-fincher-world-war-z-exclusive-20190206/ |archive-date=February 8, 2019 |url-status=live }} A source quoted by The Hollywood Reporter said the Chinese government's ban on films featuring zombies or ghosts was the single major reason that Paramount canceled the sequel.{{cite news |last= Siegel |first= Tatiana |title=Zombie Films at Cannes: What's Up With All the Undead? |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/zombie-films-at-cannes-whats-up-all-undead-1211968 |access-date=22 May 2019 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=18 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190520030033/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/zombie-films-at-cannes-whats-up-all-undead-1211968 |archive-date=May 20, 2019 |url-status=live }}

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