Don't Expect a 'Shaun of the Dead' Sequel, Says Edgar Wright

While zombies often return from the dead, that won’t be the case for Shaun of the Dead. The iconic horror-comedy directed by Edgar Wright celebrated its 20th anniversary last year, but a sequel isn’t in the cards.

Wright on Why There Won’t Be a Sequel

During a promotional interview for his new film The Running Man, Wright was asked by Polygon if he had ever thought about continuing Shaun of the Dead. He dismissed the idea, saying he and his longtime collaborator Simon Pegg don’t believe there’s much left to explore in that story.

“A lot of sequels don’t really earn their keep because all the story has been told in the first movie. […] Shaun goes from being a kind of sad sack to being a hero by the end of the movie. So it’s very difficult to start the next movie when there’s no obvious arc.”

Wright’s Approach to Sequels

Wright’s career shows he rarely revisits his past works. The closest examples of continuity are his Cornetto Trilogy and, arguably, the animated Scott Pilgrim Takes Off. His creative style favors new projects over revisiting old ones.

The Broader Zombie Genre

Although Wright has no interest in returning to Shaun of the Dead, the zombie genre itself thrives on sequels and spin-offs. The Walking Dead has spawned several series over the years, while Zombieland turned into a small franchise with both a sequel film and a television adaptation in 2019.

Author’s Summary

Edgar Wright has closed the door on a Shaun of the Dead sequel, explaining that the story reached a complete conclusion, leaving no room for another chapter.

Gizmodo — 2025-11-03