Brad Pitt in talks with David Fincher to direct 'World War Z' sequel

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 11 (UPI) -- Brad Pitt has courted filmmaker David Fincher to direct Paramount's planned zombie sequel, World War Z 2.

According to Variety, Pitt who is also a producer on the project, has already sat down with Fincher with Paramount to try and convince him to step into the director's chair after original helmer J.A. Bayona dropped out in January.

Pitt has met with other directors as well with the studio still hoping to begin production in early 2017. Fincher is noted by The Hollywood Reporter to be open to the idea despite the 53-year-old usually skipping out on sequels after his unpleasant experience directing Alien 3 back in 1992.

If Fincher joins World War Z 2, it will mark the fourth time he has collaborated with the actor following Se7en, Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Fincher last directed 2014's Gone Girl.

World War Z, loosely based on the Max Brooks novel of the same name, originally grossed $540 million worldwide when it released in 2013. Pitt is expected to reprise his role as Gerry Lane in the sequel.