World War Z Sequel Loses Its Director

It wouldn't be a World War Z film if there wasn't behind-the-scenes issues. Am I right?

Deadline is reporting director Juan Antonio Bayona (The Orphanage, The Impossible) has exited Paramount and Plan B's sequel to World War Z. Bayona was hired all the way back in December of 2013, but abruptly left the project because of timing. "Bayona felt he needed more time because he has commitments on the film he just shot, A Monster Calls," adds Deadline.

"Bayona is no longer able to make World War Z 2 this year, and it is our ambition to do so," reads the statement the studio put out confirming his departure. "He is a wonderful director and we hope to work with him soon."

Brad Pitt will reprise his role as former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane and filming is expected to begin this summer. It has a script by Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders) that Dennis Kelly (Utopia) rewrote.

World War Z 2 is scheduled for release on June 9, 2017.