Michael Straczynski , inspired by the novel of the same name by Max Brooks. It stars Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane, a former United Nations investigator who travels the world seeking a solution for a sudden zombie apocalypse , [ 12 ] along with an ensemble supporting cast including Mireille Enos and James Badge Dale. Pitt's Plan B Entertainment secured the film rights to Brooks' novel in , and Straczynski was approached to write and Forster was approached to direct.
In , Carnahan was hired to rewrite the script. The production suffered some setbacks, and, in June , the release date was pushed back, and the crew returned to Budapest for seven weeks of additional shooting. Damon Lindelof was hired to rewrite the third act, but did not have time to finish the script, and Drew Goddard was hired to finish the rewrite.
Reviews were generally positive, with praise for Pitt's performance and for the film as a revival of the zombie genre, but criticism of what some felt was an anti-climax and a lack of faithfulness to the source material. A sequel was announced shortly after the film's release, but was cancelled in February , reportedly due to budget issues.
Former United Nations investigator Gerald "Gerry" Lane, his wife, Karin, and their two daughters, Rachel and Connie, are caught in traffic in downtown Philadelphia when zombies invade. During the ensuing chaos, they escape to Newark where they seek shelter with a couple and their young son, Tommy.
The next day, Gerald tries to convince Tommy's family to join him, as staying is not safe. However, Tommy's father refuses. The Lanes head to the roof of the apartment block. Not long after, zombies break into the apartment and turn everyone there but Tommy, who escapes. The Lanes are ambushed on the stairwell. Gerald holds them off so Karin and the girls can get to the roof. They are joined by Tommy, whom Gerald grabs and takes with him. The group is then taken to a US Navy vessel stationed in the Atlantic Ocean , where a team of scientists studies the outbreak.
