Zack Snyder revealed why he decided to return to the world of the living dead for Netflix's upcoming zombie heist film Army of the Dead.
During a live Q&A hosted by Netflix, the director and co-writer of the film was asked what he hoped to accomplish with the new movie. For Snyder, it was all about crafting a world for audiences to dive into.
"I really wanted to make a movie that, with the universe... I kind of can be the extreme authority on, and therefore, allow the audience just to be on a ride. And that is purely by design," Snyder said. "And I think I really am obsessed with tone. I think I said it already, but I just really enjoy this tone, as well. Like, where the mood is you're having fun but never making fun, where you've got the audience constantly on the edge, where the reality of the movie is cinematic reality, but a reality that you try and reinforce. Like, you send them deeper and deeper into a world that you sort of created, and you start bringing the walls in and the rules in. And I find that really fun."
Army of the Dead won't just be a standalone universe, as Netflix has already ordered a prequel film and an anime spinoff. Netflix has taken to this model recently, with shows like The Witcher, expanding universes across various mediums. For Snyder, it once again allows him to create a world and set of rules for audiences to invest in. And as today's first trailer for the movie shows, the film will create its own ecosystem of undead. The mercenaries of the movie will not only have to deal with shambling masses, but they'll also face off against fast, intelligent and organized zombies.
The official synopsis for Netflix's Army of the Dead reads:
Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries takes the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.
Directed and co-written by Zack Snyder, Army of the Dead stars Dave Bautista, Garret Dillahunt, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Raul Castillo, Tig Notaro, Theo Rossi and Ana de la Reguera. The film will release on Netflix May 21.