Army of the Dead 2021

Movie · 148 min · English · May 14, 2021

Directed by Zack SnyderWritten by Zack Snyder, Shay Hatten, Joby Harold

Starring Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi

Army of the Dead is a 2021 American zombie heist film directed by Zack Snyder, who co-wrote the screenplay with Shay Hatten and Joby Harold, based on a story he also created. The movie includes an ensemble cast made up of Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tig Notaro, Raúl Castillo, Huma Qureshi, and Garret Dillahunt. It tells the story of a group of mercenaries attempting a Las Vegas casino heist while a zombie outbreak occurs.

Snyder developed the concept for Army of the Dead as a spiritual follow-up to his 2004 film Dawn of the Dead. The project was originally announced by Warner Bros. Pictures in 2007 with Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. set to direct. However, it remained in development for years before Netflix took over distribution rights in 2019. With a production budget ranging from $70 to 90 million dollars and Snyder also acting as cinematographer, principal filming occurred in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, during mid-2019. The film required reshoots in September 2020 following allegations of sexual misconduct against actor Chris D'Elia; he was replaced by Notaro using green screen technology and CGI effects. This marked Snyder's first film since Dawn of the Dead not produced under Warner Bros. Pictures, as well as his first entirely digital camera shoot.

Army of the Dead premiered in select U.S. theaters for one week beginning on May 14, 2021, followed by a digital release on Netflix on May 21. Critics appreciated its comedic elements but found fault with its narrative and length. At the 94th Academy Awards, it won the "Oscars Fan Favorite" award. Box office earnings reached $1 million. The film also led to a prequel spin-off titled Army of Thieves.