Zack Snyder’s new zombie film, Army of the Dead, is expanding into a prequel and anime series in collaboration with Netflix. Shay Hatten, one of the writers of the screenplay for the project, will write the prequel as well as the anime series.
“I’m incredibly excited for the opportunity to partner with Netflix again as we expand the Army of the Dead universe with both an international prequel, as well as exploring the visually dynamic world of animation,” Snyder said. “It’s been a great collaboration and we are thrilled that Netflix sees this as big of an IP as we do.”
According to an official press release from Netflix, the prequel will be directed by Matthias Schweighöfer who will also star in the project. The story will follow his Army of the Dead character ‘Ludwig Dieter’ and will be produced out of Germany. The likes of Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder, Wesley Coller of The Stone Quarry, Matthias Schweighöfer and Dan Maag of Pantaleon Films will all be on producing duties.
Speaking about the plans, Schweighöfer commented: “It has already been a great pleasure to be part of this wonderful ensemble around Zack Synder – a fascinating project. I am happy that it is now being developed on so many different levels.”
The anime series, Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas, details the origin story of Scott and his bid to rescue a crew during the initial fall of Vegas as they confront the mysterious source of the zombie outbreak. Zack Snyder is being pencilled in to direct two episodes of the anime series. Jay Oliva, famed for work on Batman: The Dark Knight Returns and upcoming Netflix Original Anime Series Trese, will be showrunning as well as directing two episodes of the series.
Snyder’s Army of the Dead features an all-star international cast including Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana De La Reguera, Theo Rossi, Huma Qureshi, Omari Hardwick, Tig Notaro, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Matthias Schweighöfer, Raúl Castillo, Nora Arnezeder, Samantha Win and is produced by The Stone Quarry’s Deborah Snyder, Zack Snyder and Wesley Coller.
The film will be released on Netflix in 2021.