Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead to receive prequel film and anime series

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Zack Snyder will be returning to the realm of the undead for ARMY OF THE DEAD, and it would seem that Netflix is already looking to turn the film into a franchise. It was announced today that Netflix is developing two new projects set in the world of ARMY OF THE DEAD with an untitled film prequel as well as an 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," said Zack Snyder said in a statement. "It’s been a great collaboration and we are thrilled that Netflix sees this as big of an IP as we do." Shay Hatten, one of the writers behind ARMY OF THE DEAD, is slated to write the prequel as well as the anime series. The prequel will be directed by and star Matthias Schweighöfer and will feature his character from ARMY OF THE DEAD, Ludwig Dieter. "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," said Schweighöfer. As for the anime series, it will be titled Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas and will center around the origin story of the character played by Dave Bautista in the film as well as his rescue crew during the original fall of Vegas. Zack Snyder is also slated to direct the first two episodes of the anime series.

ARMY OF THE DEAD will be "set amid a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, during which a man assembles a group of mercenaries to take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantined zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted." The film is set to star Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana De La Reguera, Theo Rossi, Huma Qureshi, Omari Hardwick, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Matthias Schweighöfer, Raúl Castillo, Nora Arnezeder, Samantha Win, and Tig Notaro. ARMY OF THE DEAD will debut on Netflix in 2021.