Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead just arrived on Netflix this past Friday, but, as we predicted in our video review, it’s only the start of a much bigger franchise. In conversations with Entertainment Tonight and Indiewire, Zack and his wife, producer Deborah Snyder, explained what forthcoming projects have already been approved, in addition to the possibility of a sequel. Be forewarned: this news involves plot details from Army of the Dead that those looking for a spoiler-free experience should avoid reading before seeing the film.
There are two prequel stories that are already in the works. One is Army of Thieves, a live-action film directed by and starring Matthias Schweighöfer, who portrays safecracker Dieter. Zack describes it as a “romantic comedy heist film” that “tells where he was before Scott and Cruz find him in the back of Gwendolyn’s Locksmith Shop. Ironically, you’ll learn that that means something. And the Götterdämmerung [vault] plays an important role in all of this, so that was really fun to do.”
Schweighöfer added: “You will be surprised. This will be really funny and entertaining, and you will see heist stuff never seen before…
It’s before the Army of the Dead, so it is not a zombie movie. But maybe we will see some zombies in that film. I don’t know!”
The other prequel is an anime series called Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas, which is set to explore the origin of the zombie plague and the creation of top zombie Zeus. Film cast members Dave Bautista, Omari Hardwick, Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera, and Tig Notaro are set to reprise their roles by lending their voices, and they will be joined by Joe Manganiello, Vanessa Hudgens, and Christian Slater as the villain.
A sequel is certainly possible, but no concrete plans have been revealed yet. The likely star would be Hardwick as Vanderohe, who made it on a private plane to Mexico City, albeit as a zombie.
Deborah hints at the significance of them landing in Mexico City. Zack shares hints that, “if there was ever a desire for more Army of the Dead, [co-writer Shay Hatten] and I know exactly where the story goes. So, yeah, we’re ready.”
Hardwick echoed his interest, confirming that he’s discussed a sequel with Zack: “There is hope for all of you fans who don’t mind looking at Omari’s mug, or don’t mind following my journey as an actor. There is some hope. There definitely have been some talks about the maybes, the maybes and the ifs.
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While you wait for all these projects, make sure to watch our video review of Army of the Dead!