"World War Z" will hit theaters Dec. 21, 2012.

Paramount Pictures' is spearheading the adaption of Max Brooks' zombie novel, which is now in production with Marc Forster ("Quantum of Solace") at the helm.

The post-apocalyptic tale centers on a United Nations' investigation 10 years after a devastating zombie outbreak.

Brad Pitt stars as Gerand, an investigator with the United Nations. Also cast are James Badge Dale, who plays a soldier intent on raising awareness of the growing zombie threat, and Mireille Enos ("Big Love," The Killing"), who plays Gerard's wife Karin Lane.

Forster is working from a script penned by Matthew Michael Carnahan ("The Kingdom," "State of Play") and J. Michael Straczynski ("Thor," Babylon 5").

Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner and Colin Wilson are serving as producers; Graham King and Tim Headington will executive produce.

Paramount had initially shied away from the project's $130 million budget, but later brought aboard several risk-sharing partners, including David Ellison's Skydance Productions, Hemisphere Media Capital and GK Films.

Brooks is the son of director Mel Brooks.