Marvel Studios has revealed a significant shift in the development of its upcoming series, Marvel Zombies, which will debut on Disney+ on September 24, 2025. Initially conceived as a feature film, the project transitioned into a four-part mini-series, as disclosed by showrunner Bryan Andrews in an interview with Collider.
In the discussion, Andrews explained that the series maintains a cinematic quality despite its episodic format. “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.’ We should just do a movie,” he stated. He also mentioned that unforeseen challenges prompted the decision to split the narrative into four episodes. “So basically it’s like a four-episode mini-event, like a film broken up into four parts,” he added, emphasizing that it will present one cohesive story with a continuous narrative flow.
Reimagining the Marvel Universe
Set in an alternate reality, Marvel Zombies reinterprets the Marvel Cinematic Universe through the lens of a gruesome zombie apocalypse, where a new cadre of heroes confronts a relentless undead threat. The series will feature an ensemble cast, bringing back several familiar voices from the MCU, including Awkwafina as Katey, David Harbour as Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, and Elizabeth Olsen as Scarlet Witch. Other cast members include Simu Liu as Shang-Chi, Randall Park as Jimmy Woo, and Florence Pugh as Yelena Belova.
The narrative draws inspiration from the fifth episode of the first season of What If…?, where the events of Ant-Man and the Wasp (2018) and Avengers: Infinity War (2018) culminate in a devastating zombie outbreak. Andrews teased that the upcoming series will feature “more hardcore” and “pretty wild” zombie sequences, deviating from the depiction in the previous series.
Creative Leadership and Production Insights
The series is helmed by Bryan Andrews, who directs from a screenplay penned by Zeb Wells, who is also an executive producer. This transition from a film to a mini-series format reflects a broader trend in the entertainment industry, where streaming platforms are increasingly embracing episodic storytelling to allow for deeper character development and narrative complexity.
As anticipation builds for Marvel Zombies, fans can expect a fresh take on beloved characters and a thrilling ride through a reimagined universe. The creative team aims to deliver a unique experience that blends horror elements with the adventurous spirit of the Marvel franchise.
With its scheduled release on September 24, 2025, Marvel Zombies promises to captivate audiences, as it ventures into uncharted territory within the Marvel Cinematic Universe.