It Looks Like Zack Snyder’s Multiple Army Of The Dead Projects Have Been Buried, And I Have Reason To Be Upset

It Looks Like Zack Snyder's Multiple Army Of The Dead Projects Have Been Buried, And I Have Reason To Be Upset

As a lifelong fan of the undead and a devotee of Zack Snyder’s unique vision, I must say that his latest foray into the zombie genre with “Army of the Dead” has left me both exhilarated and apprehensive. On one hand, it’s clear that Snyder poured his heart and soul into this project, crafting a story that promises so much more than what we’ve seen on screen. The characters, both living and undead, are multi-dimensional, the concept is cool, and Snyder’s signature style shines through brilliantly.


In May 2021, Army of the Dead by Zack Snyder felt like paradise for me, being a follow-up, in my view, to his outstanding remake of Dawn of the Dead. I watched this widely acclaimed Netflix original movie multiple times in the weeks after its release, anticipating more from what I believed could be the next iconic zombie apocalypse film series.

Three years on, I find myself in the same place with just a prequel (Army of Thieves) and unmet expectations. It’s uncertain if the anticipated Planet of the Dead sequel or Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas animated series will come to fruition at this stage. To be honest, I’m quite disappointed about it.

Join me as we delve into discussions surrounding the potential fate of the two proposed zombie-themed ventures, which some speculate have met their end, while others remain hopeful. Let’s also discuss my unusual level of excitement regarding this topic.

It Looks Like Zack Snyder's Multiple Army Of The Dead Projects Have Been Buried, And I Have Reason To Be Upset

It Seemed Like Both The Sequel And Animated Series Had A Lot Of Momentum Before Sputtering Out, Which Has Me Really Worried

Approximately two months following the ending of “Army of the Dead,” hinting at a worldwide zombie apocalypse, news broke that a follow-up film was being developed, eventually titled “Planet of the Dead.” Initially, I anticipated that we wouldn’t wait long to witness Zack Snyder’s vision for the eagerly awaited sequel. However, despite high expectations, neither the movie nor substantial details about it have surfaced as yet, and there seems to be limited discussion around the project.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but echo similar sentiments regarding the much-anticipated animated “Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas” series. Back in 2020, Variety announced this exciting venture, and since then, I’ve been keeping a close eye on its progress. In an interview with Total Film (via GamesRadar) last November 2023, director Zack Snyder shared that the scripts, voiceovers, and animatics had all been wrapped up. However, when he spoke with the same outlet the following month (again via GamesRadar), his frequent use of past tense terms like “we were working on” and “was pretty cool” has me a bit concerned about its current status.

It Looks Like Zack Snyder's Multiple Army Of The Dead Projects Have Been Buried, And I Have Reason To Be Upset

Zack Snyder Has Seemingly Moved On To Other Projects Like Rebel Moon And Twilight Of The Gods

I’m glad Zack Snyder continues to work on Netflix films and TV shows, but I can’t help feeling frustrated that the Army of the Dead franchise seems to be neglected (and potentially abandoned) in favor of Rebel Moon and Twilight of the Gods, which are likely to take its spot instead.

I didn’t particularly enjoy the “Rebel Moon” series, as Zack Snyder is rumored to be working on six more films in that franchise, as per Collider. This suggests that we might not get any new “Army of the Dead” movies for quite some time. Yet, Snyder expressed his desire to delve deeper into the “Army” universe, which he finds “rich and fun,” during an interview with Looper in April 2024.

As a gaming enthusiast, I’ve got to admit, I’m excited about Snyder’s upcoming animated series and the Rebel Moon franchise on Netflix. Yet, I can’t help but feel a tad apprehensive. With so much on his plate, I worry that he might not have enough time to dive back into the thrilling world of the zombie genre, which I’ve always found captivating.

It Looks Like Zack Snyder's Multiple Army Of The Dead Projects Have Been Buried, And I Have Reason To Be Upset

I Thought Army Of The Dead And Its Prequel, Army Of Thieves, Were A Ton Of Fun, And Laid The Groundwork For A Great Franchise

It’s clear by this point that I’ve found much pleasure in watching both “Army of the Dead” and its prequel, “Army of Thieves”. To make our conversation efficient, I’ll concentrate on how these films pave the way for a potential franchise. While I don’t believe it will reach the heights of George A. Romero’s “Dead” series, I do think that Zack Snyder has significant potential to contribute to the zombie genre, particularly in story development and visual flair, if he is provided more time to refine his ideas, metaphorically speaking.

When viewing “Army of the Dead”, it’s clear that Snyder poured a great deal of affection into his reentry into this genre. To such an extent that I believe there are numerous layers of story left unexplored. It seemed like he was making a single film, but in reality, he was crafting the initial installment of a long narrative teeming with multi-dimensional characters – both living and undead. The concept is intriguing, the style distinctively Snyder’s. If his vision for a multi-part series remains unrealized, I might just produce my own movie under the title “Zombieville: Unfulfilled Dreams“.

It Looks Like Zack Snyder's Multiple Army Of The Dead Projects Have Been Buried, And I Have Reason To Be Upset

Zack Snyder Is A Great Zombie Movie Director, But Now I’m Afraid We’ll Never See Another Undead Film From Him

It’s clear that Zack Snyder intends to expand the Army of the Dead franchise, but given Netflix’s current approach, I’m unsure if it will materialize. The proposed Planet of the Dead and Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas projects seem to be stalled, which leaves me concerned that we might not witness another zombie movie from the director who made a name for himself by bringing one of George A. Romero’s iconic films to life 20 years ago this season.

It’s truly disappointing if that’s the case. It’s not to imply that there aren’t other talented zombie movie directors, because the genre has produced some outstanding work lately. However, despite the excellence of films like “Train to Busan,” “The Dead Don’t Die,” and “Little Monsters,” none have achieved the popularity or global impact as Snyder’s “Army of the Dead.

It Looks Like Zack Snyder's Multiple Army Of The Dead Projects Have Been Buried, And I Have Reason To Be Upset

But Who Knows, Maybe Six Flags’ Fright Fest Extreme Program Means The Franchise Isn’t Totally Dead Yet 

Although no progress has been made on the animated series for “Planet of the Dead” or “Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas”, there’s exciting news for fans of the franchise. Six Flags will be introducing an “Army of the Dead” attraction at certain parks across the nation as part of their Fright Fest Extreme offerings this fall.

The latest attraction appears to be a thrilling escape room setting, designed to resemble a post-apocalyptic Las Vegas overrun by zombies, adding an additional layer of suspense and fright. Similar attractions are themed around shows like Stranger Things, The Conjuring, Saw, and several others. However, if I’m being honest, the idea of more Army of the Dead movies sounds significantly more exciting to me.

It seems like the Army of the Dead series may not be continuing anytime soon, but until then, there’s plenty to look forward to on Netflix! Some exciting upcoming titles include a few thrilling zombie movies that you can enjoy as part of your subscription.

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2024-09-11 01:07