It’s been a long time since the Army of the Dead was announced in 2007. Netflix picked it up in 2019 which means that it has been 12 years since it was planned. In an exclusive press conference last May 6, 2020, about the film’s release, Zack Snyder answered some interesting questions.
I came up with the story right after Dawn [of the Dead]. And then, we kinda kicked it around. I wasn’t gonna direct it. It was just a story that Joby wrote the script for with another director. And then we couldn’t get the budget right. Then, I guess they talked about it again later on. And we still couldn’t get Warner Brothers to want to do it, again. Then, we finally talked to these guys here at Netflix. I just mentioned it as an idea I had. And they were like, “That sounds amazing.”
Then, he continued on detailing that he already has a script. But, eventually said that he wanted to start up. He wrote it from scratch because it wasn’t written for him to direct. And, he said that if he wants to be the director, he wanted to write it himself. He got to partner with Shay to write the script. According to him, they wrote it pretty quickly because he knew the project really well. Netflix thought that it was great. So, they continued.
He also explained why he chose Las Vegas for a zombie movie,
The best zombie movies have social commentary and I just felt like—casinos and humans, a pretty good zombie, origin, area.
Of course, being the protagonist of the new zombie movie, our very own Dave Bautista has been brought up. Zack talked about his fondness of the former wrestler turned movie star. Tackling how he played a more different persona since he’s mostly played strong and funny characters thus far.
He [Dave] wasn’t sure. Because he’s like, “Yeah, I don’t really want to do another action thing.” I go, “Read the script.” After he read it, he called me and goes, like, “I didn’t realize that it was like this-that I had this huge emotional like, journey to go through.” I said, “Yes.” It’s really a big deal to kind of, like, he—Scott’s journey is really an emotional journey. I’m gonna take it for granted that he can kill a zombie. These other things are gonna be the hard part. And I really sensed in Dave—there’s this vulnerability.
Zack Snyder is known for directing several iconic movies. But, one of the most renowned is the remake of Dawn of the Dead (2004). When asked about how his experience of shooting zombie films changed him, 17 years after Dawn, he answered,
The relationship between this and Dawn for me, is uh… Yes, there’s similarities. But, I feel like where I am right now and shooting the movie myself is really a completely different experience. It was a really kind of a reconnection to cinema for me. Because you know, doing these giant superhero movies get you further and further away from the camera.
He further detailed,
And for me just shooting the movie and operating the incredible sort of reconnection and joyous experience. So, I had a great time doing Dawn. This was really kind of my favorite, uh, one of my favorite sort of cinematic processes. The process of making the film was incredibly satisfying.
We have already seen numerous films about zombies. It honestly became a genre of its own—a sub-genre of Horror. That’s why sometimes, we can’t help but say, “Here we go again. Another zombie movie.” On that note, we surely wonder what sets Army of the Dead apart from other zombie apocalyptic films? Zack responded,
First of all, a lot of things, but I think more than anything… when I did Dawn, it was based on another film. And this is based on original IP. So, it’s really a chance for me to blow out a world and create a world, frankly. I think that getting a chance to—for me, to start this world from scratch was really fun. And, I think for an audience, they’re gonna get to just sort of go into a zombie world that you’ve never seen before.
Snyder is known for making Dawn of the Dead (2004), 300 (2006), Man of Steel (2013), Batman v. Superman (2016), and the newly released Justice League: Snyder Cut. He mostly worked on blockbuster action movies designed for the full theatrical experience. This pandemic has taken online streaming this massive leap in terms of film and TV consumption. That has become more preferred over movie theaters because of the COVID-19 virus. When Zack was asked if this has affected his process of filmmaking, he answered,
Probably not. I felt like when I decided to make Army, I knew it was gonna be straight to the service, right? There was no discussion or Netflix didn’t say, “Oh, maybe we’ll release it in the theaters too.” That’s only been a recent evolution with this film. But I did make it specifically for you know, your TV. And but my approach to it was, I want to make a big giant movie for you regardless. Like, you’re gonna watch it on your TV.
Then, he continued,
If it had been in a normal world, you’d be seeing this on a big, giant blockbuster, worldwide theatrical opening. I said, “No, no. I want that quality, that feeling of a movie, but you’re getting it at home, day one, when it comes out.
The cast of Army of the Dead/Photo from Netflix
Pop culture has presented us with a variety of how a zombie would look like if it ever existed. In Warm Bodies (2013), they introduced the idea of how they can change back to a normal person and maybe even fall in love. Series like iZombie (2015 – 2019) and Santa Clarita Diet (2017 – 2019) also exist. This, on the other hand, tells the story of how a zombie can be among us. When asked what makes the zombies in Army of the Dead distinct from other iterations, Zack answered,
Yeah, I don’t know that. I don’t know if you-I think you can call ’em zombies. And, I don’t know if they’re vampires or zombies. The I Am Legend zombies are pretty, pretty scary. I don’t know what they [are] exactly. But they’re scary, and they’re pretty strong. Um, but I think Zeus is pretty scary. And also Athena… and Spider. [He] plays the general… the one who’s with the zombie queen when they come out.
The scary zombie tiger in the trailer was also mentioned. It was a funny moment in the sneak peek when one of the characters said that it is “crossing the line.” Zack addressed this, and said,
The interesting thing about it is that they represent an evolution because they’re also not ambitious. You know, they are formidable, and they have zombie tigers, zombie horses. You can’t beat them in a fight. But they’re like wolves or lions. Like, a pack of lions—if all lions were doing were like—let’s procreate, create an army, and go out and conquer the world, you know, lions would be problematic.
He laughed it off, then continued to explain,
It would probably be pretty good. Um, in that way. But our alphas are not really ambitious in that way. They’re kinda minding their own business. And it’s only when poked by us, that they act out.
Finally, he was asked what he wants for people to take from this, outside of it just being probably the most fun two hours anyone’s gonna get in a movie this year. He talked about how it depends on the person watching it.
The movie’s sort of custom made for viewers of all kinds. If you want to watch the movie and just have fun for two hours and 22 minutes. Then, that’s what the movie should be for you. If you want to take some weird deep dive into mythologically represented zombies—mythologically to the human race, and you want to write your master’s thesis about [the] zombie genre, and like, in Army of the Dead. And how socially they represent us.
He further discussed,
Whether it be holding up a mirror to ourselves or whether it be how we interact in casinos. Or all of the different ways that the mythological comes through the zombies. That’s fine too. And I guess if you wanted to be political. If you want to talk about like the wall.. refugee camps and that whole other part of it, then that-that’s also a movie for you.
Zack also categorized those who loved a heist and how they’re gonna go get the money. Also, the family aspect of it—the father-daughter relationship. That’s what the movie is about. He wanted it to sort of bespoke to the viewer in a certain way that they can enjoy.
You can catch this amazing zombie movie iteration, tomorrow—May 21, 2021, on the streaming giant—Netflix. Don’t miss it! Because I surely won’t. (Zack’s amazing)
Raphael is a person born between the generations of Millenial and Gen Z. He was produced by Cavite State University (Main Campus) with a bachelor's degree in Political Science. The lad has a fresh take on things, but can still stay true to his roots. He writes anything in Pop Culture as long as it suits his taste (if it doesn't, it's for work). He loves to wander around the cosmos and comes back with a story to publish.
