The upcoming Marvel Zombies series on Disney+ was initially intended to be a movie, according to showrunner Bryan Andrews. In a recent interview with Collider, Andrews revealed that the project evolved into a four-part series due to various considerations that made splitting it into episodes a more viable option.
Evolution from Film to Mini-Series
Andrews explained that the creative team originally envisioned the project as a standalone film. “Oh, no. It’s like a through line. It’s like, originally, we were thinking it’d be a movie, if like, ‘Ooh, we should release it as a movie,’” he stated. However, due to certain challenges, they decided to break it into four episodes, presenting it as a mini-event rather than a traditional feature film. “So basically it’s like a four-episode mini-event, like a film broken up into four parts,” he continued, emphasizing that the series maintains a cohesive narrative.
The series is set in an alternate reality where a new generation of heroes confronts a rapidly spreading zombie epidemic, reimagining the familiar Marvel Cinematic Universe. This fresh take is inspired by the fifth episode of the first season of What If…?, which depicted a zombie apocalypse following the events of Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018).
Star-Studded Voice Cast
Marvel Zombies will feature a talented voice cast, including notable Marvel Cinematic Universe stars. Returning actors include Awkwafina as Katey, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, and Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch. Additional cast members are Randall Park as Jimmy Woo, Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova, Hailee Steinfeld as Kate Bishop, Dominique Thorne as Riri Williams, and Iman Vellani as Kamala Khan/Ms. Marvel. The character of Spider-Man will be voiced by Hudson Thames.
Directed by Bryan Andrews and with a screenplay written by Zeb Wells, who also serves as an executive producer, the series promises to deliver “more hardcore” and “pretty wild” zombie sequences that differ significantly from those previously shown in the What If…? series. Andrews hinted that viewers can expect a thrilling blend of horror and action.
Marvel Zombies is set to premiere on Disney+ on September 24, 2025, marking an exciting addition to the Marvel franchise. As anticipation builds around the series, fans are eager to see how this unique narrative unfolds within the beloved universe.
