Marc Forster (Monster's Ball, Quantom of Solace) had pretty rough go at World War Z according to reports from the various Hollywood trades. Did the budget really balloon over $170M? Who can say? Was there friction between Forster and Pitt? Recent interviews with both parties would seem to indicate that was not the case. Still, rumors have a strange way of becoming truths sometimes when left unchecked. Speaking with Cineplex Magazine, the director attempts to set the record straight but does use the word "difficult" to describe the film's journey.
Speaking on the rumors as a whole, did the reports of trouble in the media stress him out?
Marc Forster: "Not Really. We came to a place where we thought we could make the movie better, so we went out and shot more. We brought a new writer in to help us with that vision and we went out and shot it. That happens with a lot of productions, and because we shot footage that I'm happy with, I think we did the right thing. There has been a lot of scrutiny regarding the film because of how big the production is and Brad's involvement in it, but at the end of the day it doesn't matter. Everyone can judge what he or she sees on the screen when it's out. No matter how difficult it was to get there."
And with all the "attention" given the production, would Forster return for a sequel or perhaps a trilogy?"
Marc Forster: "It depends on how this film does. We hope it will do well and then those conversations can be had afterwards."
For the record, Damon Lindelof worked on third act and then Drew Goddard gave the dialogue a final spit shine in ADR recordings. Both have said that this wasn't exactly anything out of the norm for film's of this magnitude. Reviews following initial press screenings for World War Z have been universally positive.
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Running Time: In post-production
Release Date: June 2013 (USA)
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (probable)
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos, Matthew Fox, James Badge Dale, Bryan Cranston, Ed Harris
Directed by: Marc Forster
Written by: Matthew Michael Carnahan (screenplay), Damon Lindelof (screenplay), Drew Goddard (screenplay)
"United Nations employee Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) traverses the world in a race against time to stop the Zombie pandemic that is toppling armies and governments, and threatening to decimate humanity itself. Mireille Enos plays Gerry’s wife Karen Lane; Daniella Kertesz is his comrade in arms, Segen.”