World War Z Coming To America On June 21st

Based loosely on Sam Brook's popular novel, "World War Z" is produced by Brad Pitt's Plan B productions. The film company that he and former spouse Jennifer Aniston started in 2002, and since their separation Brad is now the sole owner.  Paramount Pictures owns the distribution rights and released the film in the U.K. well in advance of the June 21st U.S. date.  

I say the film is loosely based on Brooks's novel of the same name is because in Brook's novel, is written as an "oral history of the Zombie War" that took place about 10 years prior as told to a U.N. employee.  The pandemic that seems to have started in China, whereas in the film trailers we see Pitt heading towards Russia (Hollywood isn't interested in pissing off the Chinese lately, think "Red Dawn"). Other changes in adapting the book into a film are also evident in the characters and the action that takes place in the film.  

Told in a traditional narrative Brad Pitt plays the character Gerry Lane who apparently is either a Epidemiologists or a Zombie expert apparently saves the world. 

"United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to destroy humanity itself."

Ultimately this is a Brad Pitt action vehicle that will find plenty of action and tons of Zombies

"World War Z" is directed by Marc Forster. whose films include, but not limited to "Finding Neverland," the Halli Berry -- Billy Bob Thornton character study "Monster's Ball," "The Kite Runner," the so-so Bond film "Quantum of Solace" and a look into the violence of Central Africa with "Machine Gun Preacher," starring Gerard Butler in the title role.

A number of writers have worked on the script for "World War Z." J. Michael Straczynski, writer of the TV Series "Babylon 5," "Thor," and  "Underworld: Awakening,"  took first shot at it and did the initial work of turning this book about many first-hand accounts of a historical event into a largely single narrative.   Matthew Michael Carnahan whose films like "The Kingdom," "Lions for Lambs," and "State of Play" have political undertones to them took over the script next.  
Drew Goddard ("The Cabin in the Woods") was brought in for a rewrite, and other "Lost" alumnus Damon Lindelof came in for some refining of the script.  It's all very messy and contributed to a release date that just keeps getting rescheduled.  

The film also stars James Badge Dale, who has had a big year so far. Dale had played a villain in "Iron Man 3"    which is now the 5th highest grossing film of all time. He also appears as John Reid's brother Dan in the upcoming Walt Disney film "The Lone Ranger."  Jame Badge Dale also played a cancer patient in a touching scene that takes place in a stair-well with Kelly Reilly and Denzel Washington's characters. In "World War Z" Dale plays an U.S. Army special forces Captain, by the name of  Speke. 

In the course of Gerry Lane's travels, he comes across a prisoner living in an abandoned jail, portrayed by David Morse from "The Green Mile," and the TV mini-series based on the Stephan King novel  "The The Langoliers."

As seen in the trailers, Gerry (Pitt) has a family. His wife Karen is played by TV actress Mireille Enos, known primarily for shows such as "The Killing," and "Big Love." The Lanes have two daughters played by Sterling Jerins and Abigail Hargrove.

Composer Marco Beltrami provides the soundtrack for "World War Z." Beltrami is responsable for the scores to films like, "Carrie," the latest Bruce Willis film, " A Good Day to Die Hard,"  and the Zombie romance film "Warm Bodies."

 Actors Angelina Jolie (L) and Brad Pitt attend the World Premiere of 'World War Z' at The Empire Cinema Leicester Square on June 2, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Dave M. Benett/WireImage for Paramount)

Look for "World War Z" in U.S. theaters on June 21, 2013 

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World War Z ~ A Two Hour Adventure Tale

Movie Data

Genre:  Action, Adventure, Western

Year:  2013

Staring: Johnny Depp, Armie Hammer, Helena Bonham Carter

Director: Gore Verbinski

Producer(s): Jerry Bruckheimer, Gore Verbinski

Writer: Justin Haythe, Ted Elliott

Rating: PG-13
Running Time: 149 minutes
Release Date: 7/23/2013