One final warning before we begin:
huge spoilers for Army of the Dead follow, including character deaths and whether discussions have even taken place about Army of the Dead 2 yet. So turn back now if you haven’t watched or finished the movie.
Army of the Dead ending explained: Bly Tanaka’s real plan revealed
(Image credit: Netflix)
Before we dive into how Army of the Dead’s ending might set up a sequel, let’s recount the events that lead up to, and include, its finale.
Perhaps unsurprisingly, Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada) isn’t interested in reclaiming the $200 million he has squirreled away in his Las Vegas casino vault. Instead, he wants to help the US Government obtain a zombie sample so that they can control their own army of zombies – the “ultimate biological weapon” as Tanaka’s head of security Martin (Garret Dillahunt) tells Lily (Nora Arnezeder).
Tig Notaro Wasn t Originally in Army of the Dead, but Replaced This Cast Member
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Army of the Dead, you might not realize at first glance that the character of Marianne Peters, played by Tig Notaro, is actually the product of a late-in-the-game replacement. Notaro was brought onto the movie after filming had already wrapped to replace original cast member Chris D Elia, the comedian who has been accused of sexual predation by multiple women. With some creative reshoots and a very hardworking team of filmmakers, all traces of D Elia were erased and then replaced with Notaro s version of the character.
Shay [Hatten, co-writer] and I know exactly what happens next and it’s insane. I’d make it in a second. What we have planned is too crazy. Once we knew Vanderohe was bit, and he’s going to Mexico City, I was like, ‘You know what’s gonna happen?’ And then I just went on a tear. And by the time it ended, Shay was like, ‘OK.’”
Synopsis:
From Zack Snyder (300, Justice League). ARMY OF THE DEAD takes place following a zombie outbreak. One that left Las Vegas in ruins and walled off from the rest of the world. Enter Scott Ward (Dave Bautista). A displaced Vegas local, former zombie war hero. He’s now flipping burgers on the outskirts of the town he now calls home. But then he’s approached by casino boss Bly Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada). And he has the ultimate proposition. Break into the zombie-infested quarantine zone to retrieve $200 million sitting in a vault beneath the strip. Before the city is nuked by the government in 32 hours. Driven by the hope that
Let’s start with the good! The heist aspect of this movie is fun as
hell. Dave Bautista plays Scott Ward, a fry cook who acted heroically during the initial wave of zombie invasion, and is tapped to lead an infiltration/heist inside the zombie-ruled Las Vegas. The opening scenes of Ward gathering his team are great, and the members themselves are unique and hilarious. As usual in Snyder’s films, the movie is diverse without making a big deal about it, the women get to do as much cool action shit as the guys, and there’s plenty of implied queerness.