We last got an update on the progress of the long-gestating Zombieland sequel back in May, when writers Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick sounded upbeat about the chances of shooting the movie next year. Mark another positive step forward, as main cast members Emma Stone, Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg and Abigail Breslin are all on board for Zombieland 2.
There have been attempts to get the sequel moving for years, but nothing has really come together until now, with original director Ruben Fleischer also returning to call the shots. The original film focused on four unlikely friends – Eisenberg's Columbus, Harrelson's Tallahassee, Stone's Wichita and Breslin's Little Rock – thrown together in the aftermath of an undead outbreak.
"This is one of those projects that fans have wanted to see happen for a long time — and no one wanted to see it happen more than Emma, Woody, Jesse and Abigail," says Columbia Pictures president Sanford Panitch in a statement. "These are some of the most in-demand actors, and I think they are making this movie because they love these characters. We are thrilled Ruben was willing to come back to direct the sequel, as his work on Venom has been truly amazing."
Reese and Wernick have once again written the script, which sees the quartet travelling from the White House to the American heartland, facing off against new zombies and some other human survivors. The cast should be reporting for duty in January, with the aim of releasing the new film in October next year, ready for the 10th anniversary of the original.
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