Paramount Mightve Found Its World War Z Sequel Director in Dan Trachtenberg

Published: Friday, February 6, 2026 at 7:21 am

Paramount Eyes Dan Trachtenberg for World War Z Sequel

Paramount Pictures is reportedly considering a sequel to its 2013 zombie blockbuster, *World War Z*. The original film, starring Brad Pitt, grossed significant revenue despite diverging from Max Brooks' 2006 novel. After the success of the first film, the studio is now prioritizing a follow-up, according to reports from The Hollywood Reporter.

David Ellison, the new chairman and CEO of the merged Paramount Skydance Corporation, has included *World War Z 2* among a list of high-profile projects, alongside franchises like *Star Trek*, *Top Gun*, and *Transformers*. Ellison aims to make Paramount a premier destination for top-tier filmmakers and is emphasizing theatrical exclusives, including horror and R-rated comedies, making a zombie sequel a logical fit.

The sequel was previously in development with Pitt returning and David Fincher directing, but Paramount canceled the project in 2019. Despite the cancellation, Pitt has praised the sequel's script.

Now, Dan Trachtenberg, known for his work on *Prey* and *10 Cloverfield Lane*, is reportedly in the running to direct the sequel. Trachtenberg recently signed a three-year first-look deal with Paramount, fueling speculation about his potential involvement. His ability to build tension and deliver sharp genre filmmaking makes him a strong candidate.

The potential sequel offers several narrative possibilities, including exploring the distribution of the film's vaccine, a time jump to showcase a changed world, or adopting an anthology format inspired by Brooks' novel. Mireille Enos, who starred in the first film, has expressed her disappointment that the sequel was not made, highlighting the potential of the project.

BNN's Perspective: The prospect of a *World War Z* sequel is intriguing. While the original film deviated from the source material, it was a commercial success. Bringing in a director like Trachtenberg, known for his skill in the horror and action genres, could revitalize the franchise and offer a fresh perspective on the zombie apocalypse. However, Paramount should carefully consider the narrative direction to ensure the sequel resonates with both fans of the original film and those familiar with the novel.

Keywords: World War Z, sequel, Paramount, Dan Trachtenberg, Brad Pitt, David Fincher, zombie, horror, film, movie, David Ellison, Prey, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Max Brooks, Mireille Enos, The Hollywood Reporter, The InSneider

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