ARMY OF THE DEAD Director Zack Snyder Explains The Movie's Seemingly "Smart" Zombies And Sequel Plans

ARMY OF THE DEAD Director Zack Snyder Explains The Movie's Seemingly "Smart" Zombies And Sequel Plans

The Army of the Dead trailer revealed a very different kind of zombie, and director Zack Snyder has now explained the role they'll play in the movie, while also addressing potential plans for a sequel...

By JoshWilding - Apr 14, 2021 02:04 AM EST
Filed Under: Horror
Source: CBR

Yesterday, Netflix released a new trailer for Zack Snyder's Army of the Dead. Shedding more light on what we can expect, it appeared to reveal that the movie will feature "intelligent" zombies that are stronger, faster, and somehow organised, if the sneak peek was any indication.

In a Q&A that followed the trailer's debut, the filmmaker better explained the different classes of zombie in his film.

"[We] have two categories of zombies in the movie, alphas and then normal shamblers," Snyder confirmed. "[If] you see a zombie movie, normal shamblers, it's like a normal zombie, they kind of move slowly. And then our alphas, which are an evolved version of zombies and zombies that have taken another step, and they're much... they're fast, and we kind of treat them kind of like almost like wolves or like, they're not... they're sentient, you know what I mean? They kind of, they fight [in] packs and they kind of have a pack mentality."

Fans of the traditional zombie experience might not be happy with this new take on the undead, but it seems Snyder is keen to build his own mythology with Army of the Dead. Netflix is already developing a live-action prequel and anime spinoff, but what about a sequel from the director?

"Well, absolutely," he responded after being asked if he's interested in a follow-up. "I don't think I'm allowed to say that. I don't think that's, like, a thing. Suffice it to say that, yes, I am very excited. If it were possible, or if anyone was interested in it to continue the adventures of this world will be fun."

Army of the Dead is set to be released on Netflix and select U.S. theaters on May 21st, 2021. 

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bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 4/14/2021, 3:05 AM
About time they change it up. The slow, dumb zombie thing in blockbusters was starting to wear out at this point.

And given what we've know about the world this movie take place in, I think there is franchise potential. Perfect sandbox for Snyder to play in.
dirtyscore
dirtyscore - 4/14/2021, 3:11 AM
@bkmeijer - But zombies were always slow and dull because if they start running they decompose faster... It's the generation of lack of attention span that needed "fast and running zombies".

These are not zombies, these are infected with some virus.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 4/14/2021, 3:18 AM
@dirtyscore - I feel most of the modern incarnations of zombies are already infected instead of just being undead, and that gives the writers much more room to give their own interpretation to how their zombies act.

And if it's some infection, I wouldn't be surprised if some humans in the movie are gonna get infected with a mutated version and become superhuman.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 4/14/2021, 3:45 AM
@dirtyscore - They're still zombies. They still died and rose from the dead. The virus just has a different effect on their bodies than the classic zombie virus we're used to. Even Romero's movies explored the idea of zombies evolving and becoming slightly smarter eventually.
CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 4/14/2021, 3:47 AM
@bkmeijer - Does it have franchise potential? From what we know, I believe Las Vegas is the only city thats infected and they walled it off from the rest of the world. What would a sequel look like if not another heist movie to steal money? Unless the zombies get freed and let loose on the world, I suppose.
Origame
Origame - 4/14/2021, 4:12 AM
@dirtyscore - 1) you're talking about a being who had its metabolism and heart stop for upwards of days yet are walking around. Why is your objection on decomposition AFTER becoming a zombie?

2) its not as if this is a sequel to the Romero films or anything. It's its own universe with its own interpretation of zombies. Let them do their own thing. Just like with vampires why can't people reinterpret what a zombie is?
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 4/14/2021, 4:27 AM
@CorndogBurglar - I think it could go just like in the Resident Evil movies, or even the reboot Planet of the Apes trilogy. Or the idea of humans getting extra strong and fast for example due to an evolved virus.
Matador
Matador - 4/14/2021, 5:12 AM
Like that hasn't been done before

elgaz
elgaz - 4/14/2021, 5:18 AM
@bkmeijer - I totally agree, was getting sick of the slow rambling zombie thing. World War Z was on TV last week and I rewatched it for first time in a while, I liked how they did it. Their zombies weren't totally mindless either; they moved fast & they were able to scale each other to get over barriers/walls
Fares
Fares - 4/14/2021, 3:12 AM
Let's not act like we haven't had smart zombies in recent media. White Walkers were smart zombies in a way.
As interesting as they may be, though. I don't think they are as scary as regular ones.
Any antagonist with that much sentience and awareness feels like it can be reasoned with. But a hord of mindless viruses is instant annihilation.
The 28 Days/Weeks later & ZS's Dawn of the Dead zombies are still the most frightening to me.
zeon00
zeon00 - 4/14/2021, 3:20 AM
@Fares - white walker are created by magic
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 4/14/2021, 3:23 AM
@Fares - I don't know if they count as zombies, but the creatures in I Am Legend were also smart to an extent.

Still, I think I can name far more movies with dumb zombies. So I don't mind we're getting some smart ones every once in a while.
Fares
Fares - 4/14/2021, 3:34 AM
@zeon00 - Classic zombies are the result of a supernatural event that re-animated the dead aren't they?
Anyway I never pay attention to the cause. Magic, curse, virus, whatever. If they're "undead" human bodies out for human flesh, they're zombies to me.
Fares
Fares - 4/14/2021, 3:37 AM
@bkmeijer - I am Legend creatures are weird. They're sensitive to sunlight like vampires, but they don't seem to drink blood. They hunt in hords and are less cognitive like zombies but they don't seem to eat humans or rot.
They're like a thing of their own. But I would categorize them as closer to zombies than anything else.
bkmeijer2
bkmeijer2 - 4/14/2021, 4:22 AM
@Fares - yeah I would say so too, especilly for the lack of a better word
mrvelez101
mrvelez101 - 4/15/2021, 11:37 AM
@Fares - I mean, a gorilla has the capability to be reasoned with. That doesn't mean 99 times out of 100 you will probably get your arms tore off for entering its habitat.
Fares
Fares - 4/15/2021, 12:11 PM
@mrvelez101 - Yeah but at least the Gorilla has its reasons ya know. I'd rather be among a pack of Gorillas and remain unintimidating in a fetus position than a hord of Zombies, but that's just me.
GothamSon
GothamSon - 4/14/2021, 3:43 AM
The real 'smart' zombies:

Kyos
Kyos - 4/14/2021, 3:50 AM
The movie looks like fun. I hope it's a hit, and that the cult can migrate to this new property that's all Zack Snyder.
whatevtrev
whatevtrev - 4/14/2021, 4:13 AM
I was up for this until we saw “smart” zombies. It just gave me I Am Legend or The Strain vibes and... nah I’m good.
TheNameIsWayne
TheNameIsWayne - 4/14/2021, 7:11 AM
@whatevtrev - I Am Legend was amazing though...
whatevtrev
whatevtrev - 4/14/2021, 11:36 AM
@TheNameIsWayne - Was it though? 🤨
TheNameIsWayne
TheNameIsWayne - 4/15/2021, 8:28 AM
@whatevtrev - Yea, great acting, interesting story, awesome action.
Kyos
Kyos - 4/14/2021, 5:09 AM
Intelligent zombies, eh?
Reeds2Much
Reeds2Much - 4/14/2021, 5:11 AM
First zombies and now alpha wolves. How many myths is he trying to merge here?
Matador
Matador - 4/14/2021, 5:17 AM
If you can't find a way to mess something up Zack will always find a way.

ARMUS
ARMUS - 4/14/2021, 5:46 AM
So I take it he's borrowing heavily from Richard Mathesons " I Am Legend" and also borrowing from 28 Days Later with a touch of Carpenters "Escape From New York" in terms of an individual or team being sent on a mission in and out of a fortified City. The Internet appears to believe Zack Snyder has created the idea of smart and quick Zombies.
soberchimera
soberchimera - 4/14/2021, 6:04 AM
I mean, the vampires in I Am Legend were basically intelligent, communal zombies.
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