According to reports, Netflix has scrapped the planned anime series and the much-awaited expansion of the "Army of the Dead" franchise, both directed by Zack Synder.
In the first few weeks after its debut, "Army of the Dead," a popular action-horror movie on Netflix, attracted over 75 million viewers, ranking it as the ninth most-watched Netflix film ever.
Zack Synder reportedly intended to build a full-fledged universe for the series, and he had grand ambitions for the next movies.
Affected Projects Due to Army of the Dead Franchise Cancelation
The director's adaptation of Army of the Dead depicts a post-apocalyptic world overrun with zombies, whereas the original film, which was released in May 2021, under the same name, follows a gang of survivors as they plot a robbery at a Los Angeles casino. "Army of Thieves," a prequel to the previous movie, "Army of the Dead" was also released in October 2021.
The Wrap reports that Netflix has covertly canceled all upcoming projects related to the Army of the Dead property, which includes the animated series Army of the Dead: Lost Vegas and the film Planet of the Dead.
Synder’s producer, however, said that the franchise is not entirely canceled, as it will continue as a theme at haunted houses sponsored by partner Six Flags this Halloween season.
In an interview with Zack Synder with CinemaBlend, the director said, he is working on a small project film, with very less of VFX, he said “I’m trying to do a small movie right now. I’m not going to say what it is, but I was, like, can I just do a movie without any visual effects in it for like five minutes? Then, I’ll go back to the insanity […] I’m supposed to be writing this little movie and that’s kind of what I want to do.”
There were ambitious plans for the now-canceled forthcoming series to expand, including a prequel to Army of Thieves and a second sequel following Planet of the Dead that would have explored the timeframe and characters of Army of the Dead.
What Led to its Cancelation?
"Rebel Moon" Parts 1 and 2, the newest Netflix films of 2024 from "Batman vs. Superman" and "Sucker Punch" director, did not do well at all. The films received much fewer views than expected, and as a result, Netflix decided to cancel the upcoming franchise with the director.
In addition to four direct sequels to the original film, Synder had plans for the continuing prequel "The Seneschal: A Rebel Moon Story". As there won't be an Army of the Dead, Synder's original concept to combine Rebel Moon and Army of the Dead in the same universe with a Xanadite girl in the science fiction movies, as a connecting character, doesn't seem likely to work out.
However, Zack won't be leaving Netflix just because the franchise is being canceled; he still has a future there because of other stand-alone projects like Twilight of the Gods and the animated series based on Norse mythology.