David Fincher looks like he’s taking on the sequel to World War Z.
According to Variety, Paramount still hasn’t greenlit the movie yet after taking it off the schedule in February, but new studio chief Jim Gianopulos will put it back in motion over the next few weeks. Production would begin in the first few months of 2018.
Brad Pitt produced and starred in the original 2013 action film. He met with some directors about the sequel, but ended up reaching out to three-time collaborator Fincher, according to the Variety article. A Monster Calls director J.A. Bayona was attached to direct but left the project early 2016 over scheduling commitments. Bayona is now shooting the sequel to Jurassic World.
Fincher was rumored to direct as early as last August. In February, shortly after the movie was taken off the schedule, a report said that Fincher was still interested in the project. This would be Fincher’s second sequel after his debut feature, 1992’s Alien 3. His last film, Gone Girl, was released in 2014.
Pitt last starred opposite Marion Cotillard in the World War II film Allied last year. He next stars in war drama War Machine launching on Netflix next month.
World War Z was directed by Marc Forster and grossed almost $550 million at the box office.