Marvel Zombies | |
---|---|
Genre | |
Created by | Zeb Wells |
Based on | |
Written by | Zeb Wells |
Directed by | Bryan Andrews |
Starring | Iman Vellani |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
Production | |
Executive producers | |
Production company | Marvel Studios Animation |
Original release | |
Network | Disney+ |
Related | |
Marvel Zombies is an upcoming American animated television miniseries created by Zeb Wells for the streaming service Disney+, based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name. It is a television series in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) produced by Marvel Studios Animation, and explores an alternate timeline in the multiverse introduced in the What If...? episode "What If... Zombies?!" (2021) in which a group of survivors must fight former heroes and villains who are now zombies. Wells serves as head writer and Bryan Andrews directs.
Iman Vellani voices Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel, reprising the role from prior MCU media. Marvel Studios was developing several animated series in addition to What If...? by June 2021, including a spin-off series continuing the events of "What If... Zombies?!". Marvel Zombies was announced in November, along with the involvement of Wells and Andrews.
Marvel Zombies is scheduled to debut on Disney+ in 2024, and will consist of four episodes.
Premise
Continuing from the events of the What If...? episode "What If... Zombies?!", a group of survivors must fight former heroes and villains who are now zombies.[1]
Cast and characters
- Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel: A teenage human-mutant from Jersey City who wears a magical bangle that unlocked her ability to harness cosmic energy and create hard light constructs. Vellani noted that Khan was central to the series, with the creators describing her role as "the Frodo of the story".[2]
Production
Development
By June 2021, Marvel Studios Animation was developing a slate of at least three more series in addition to their Disney+ series What If...?.[3][4][5] The next month, these were said to be in various stages of development and were not expected to debut until at least 2023.[6] A Marvel Zombies animated series was announced during the Disney+ Day event in November 2021,[7] based on the Marvel Comics series of the same name.[8] Bryan Andrews returned as director from What If...? and Zeb Wells was set as head writer and executive producer.[7] Wells previously served as a writer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) series She-Hulk: Attorney at Law (2022) and the film The Marvels (2023).[9] The series is a continuation of the zombie-infested alternate timeline that was introduced in the What If...? episode "What If... Zombies?!",[10] exploring more of the mythology established in the episode;[11] Marvel Studios began development on the spin-off after a positive fan response to that episode and its cliffhanger ending.[1] The company revealed in July 2022 that Marvel Zombies would be its first animated series to be rated TV-MA so it could feature all the "gore and splatter you want from a zombie show".[12][13] The series consists of four episodes.[14] Marvel Studios' Brad Winderbaum also serves as an executive producer.[15]: 22 During Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, Marvel Zombies and the other projects discussed were introduced as being part of the "Marvel Animated Multiverse".[16]
Casting and voice recording
In July 2022, the series was confirmed to feature alternate versions of characters from the MCU, including Yelena Belova / Black Widow, Katy, Kate Bishop, Alexei Shostakov / Red Guardian, Jimmy Woo, Death Dealer, Shang-Chi,[1] and Kamala Khan / Ms. Marvel (Iman Vellani).[1][2] Zombies in the series include Clint Barton / Hawkeye, Steve Rogers / Captain America, Emil Blonsky / Abomination, Ava Starr / Ghost, Wanda Maximoff / Scarlet Witch, Carol Danvers / Captain Marvel, Ikaris, and Okoye.[1] In November 2023, Vellani confirmed that she had completed her voice work for the series.[2]
Marketing
The series was discussed during Marvel Studios Animation's panel at the 2022 San Diego Comic-Con, when artwork of the characters was revealed.[1]
Release
Marvel Zombies is scheduled to debut on Disney+ in 2024,[12] and will consist of four episodes.[14] In January 2024, Andrews stated he was unsure when the series would release, revealing that the release was continually shifting.[17]: 51:00–51:08
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Nolan, Liam (July 22, 2022). "SDCC Live: Marvel Studios Animation Panel Reveals Future of X-Men '97, What If and Marvel Zombies". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- 1 2 3 Millheim, Russ (November 28, 2023). "Disney Plus' Marvel Zombies Show Gets Exciting Production Update from Star (Exclusive)". The Direct. Archived from the original on November 28, 2023. Retrieved November 28, 2023.
- ↑ Corvin, Ann-Marie (June 14, 2021). "Marvel's Victoria Alonso on Exploring Diversity and Inclusion through 'What If' and the Hunt for Global Animation Partnerships". Variety. Archived from the original on June 14, 2021. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (August 4, 2021). "Walt Disney Animation Amps Up Production With New Vancouver Studio; First Project Is 'Moana' Musical Series". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 5, 2021. Retrieved August 5, 2021.
- ↑ Lee, Chris (January 13, 2023). "Inside the VFX Union Brewing in Hollywood". Vulture. Archived from the original on January 25, 2023. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
Alonso heads up Marvel's dedicated "mini-studio," Marvel Studios Animation, which is behind such shows as What If ...? [...] and the summer 2022 series of Vin Diesel–voiced original shorts, I Am Groot.
- ↑ Vary, Adam B. (August 11, 2021). "Marvel Studios Planning 'Multiple' New Animated Series Following Debut of 'What If…?'". Variety. Archived from the original on August 12, 2021. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
- 1 2 Hipes, Patrick (November 12, 2021). "Disney+ Day: All The Streamer's Film & TV News From Premiere Dates To Series Orders". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
- ↑ Vary, Adam B. (November 12, 2021). "Animated 'X-Men,' 'Spider-Man,' 'Marvel Zombies' Series Announced for Disney Plus". Variety. Archived from the original on November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
- ↑ Zogbi, Emily (January 2, 2023). "The Marvels Adds She-Hulk, Comic Book Writer Zeb Wells". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 3, 2023. Retrieved January 3, 2023.
- ↑ Penagos, Ryan; Cink, Lorraine; Iglehart, James Monroe (November 12, 2021). "First Look at Disney+: X-Men '97, Spider-Man details!". This Week in Marvel (Podcast). Event occurs at 24:52–25:14. Archived from the original on December 10, 2021. Retrieved December 15, 2021 – via Simplecast.
- ↑ Dick, Jeremy (January 6, 2024). "What If...? Director Addresses Marvel Zombies Spinoff's TV-MA Rating". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on January 6, 2024. Retrieved January 6, 2024.
- 1 2 Fink, Richard (July 22, 2022). "Marvel Zombies Release Set For 2024 with TV-MA Rating". Screen Rant. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (July 22, 2022). "Marvel Zombies on Disney+ to Have the 'Gore and Splatter You Want From a Zombie Show'". IGN. Archived from the original on July 23, 2022. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
- 1 2 Nattrass, JJ (October 14, 2022). "MCU Marvel Zombies Writer Reveals the Spinoff's Surprising Episode Count". Comic Book Resources. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ↑ "Moon Knight Production Brief" (PDF). Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution. March 16, 2022. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 25, 2022. Retrieved March 27, 2022.
- ↑ Moreau, Jordan (July 22, 2022). "'Marvel Zombies,' 'Spider-Man: Freshman Year,' 'What If?' Season 2 Get First Looks". Variety. Archived from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022.
- ↑ What If..? Season 2 Live Q&A With Creative Team (A.C. Bradley, Matthew Chauncey, Bryan Andrews). Phase Zero. January 5, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2024 – via YouTube.