World War Z was a disappointment when it was released in 2013, but there was one change that could have saved the zombie movie. In the wake of 28 Days Later redefining the zombie movie genre, several films attempted their own take on the genre, with World War Z opting for a big-budget adaptation of Max Brooks’ acclaimed novel.
World War Z‘s many reshoots spelled trouble for the Brad Pitt blockbuster before it was even released. While it was far from the disaster that many people feared, World War Z was also a disappointment for those looking forward to seeing Brooks’ novel get adapted. Its 67% on Rotten Tomatoes contributed to the World War Z sequel not happening.
World War Z has its fans, and there is some fun in seeing a zombie movie told on such a giant scale. However, there was also so much potential with the story that people still want to see it done right. Luckily, there is a clear path forward for a remake that could undo World War Z’s mistakes.
World War Z Should Have Been A Miniseries, Not A Movie
The Novel’s Unique Structure Needed To Be Told On Television
One of the main criticisms leveled against the World War Z movie was that it didn’t feel like the novel. The movie starred Brad Pitt as Gerry Lane, a former United Nations worker, who is forced to leave his family and go in search of the source of the zombie outbreak and a possible cure.
With few recurring characters, it could be an anthology-like story, similar to Black Mirror, with a new cast each episode but telling the continuing story.
The book takes a unique narrative approach, presented as a document of the zombie war in its aftermath. The novel takes a look at how the outbreak began, how it spread across the world, the first failed fights against the unᴅᴇᴀᴅ, the world’s response, and the gradual victory. It is all told through various accounts from people around the world.
The movie captures some of the globe-trotting aspects of the novel, but by focusing on one protagonist, it loses the point of the novel, becoming just another zombie movie. However, in order to do the novel’s narrative structure justice, World War Z would only work as a miniseries.
The structure of the novel actually lends itself perfectly to the television format. Each episode could be focused on a new location and detail a new aspect of the war against the zombies. With few recurring characters, it could be an anthology-like story, similar to Black Mirror, with a new cast each episode, but telling the continuing story.
Now Is The Perfect Time For A World War Z TV Show
Audiences Would Embrace A More Risk-Taking Zombie Show
While they may have missed their opportunity to do World War Z right the first time, now is the perfect time to try again with the television approach. World War Z was a big enough movie that taking another approach to the story too soon after would likely have been detrimental. Now, enough time has pᴀssed that the тιтle can return.
World War Z can still be enjoyed as a fun big-budget movie, but there is also room for a true adaptation of the story to take place.
The Brad Pitt movie was not bad enough that people will be completely turned off by the news of a show coming. However, it is also not so beloved that fans will be demanding that it be just like the film. It is an era when the legacy of a World War Z adaptation can be rewritten.
The era of television is also very welcoming for a proper World War Z miniseries. Shows are able to have risky and experimental narrative structures, with anthology series still popular. The success of The Last of Us, as well as 28 Years Later, also proves there is love for prestige zombie stories.
World War Z can still be enjoyed as a fun, big-budget movie, but there is also room for a true adaptation of the story to take place. The spectacle of zombie stories is somewhat worn out, even though the show could deliver some memorable sequences. However, the real draw is a new way to tackle this kind of story.
