Brad Pitt (Inglourious Basterds) has reportedly signed on for the lead role in the Marc Forster (Quantum of Solace) directed big-screen adaptation of Max Brooks‘ novel, World War Z for Paramount Pictures. The novel is billed as the oral history of the zombie war which chronicles a worldwide zombie outbreak through the first-hand accounts of survivors.

MTV caught up with Brooks at Comic-Con and spoke with him at the Avatar Press booth. The writer confirmed that the adaption of his novel about the zombie apocalypse is not only moving forward, and Brad Pitt is officially attached to star in the film.

The original screenplay was penned by J. Michael Straczynski (Ninja Assassin), but was later rewritten by Matthew Michael Carnahan (State of Play). According to Brooks, the studio is currently targeting a Summer 2012 release for the film.

Brad Pitt‘s production company Plan B Entertainment won a bidding war against Leonardo DiCaprio‘s (Inception) company, Appian Way back in 2007  for World War Z. Brooks said that he received a call confirming Pitt’s casting while signing copies of the books during preview night at Comic-Con.

Brooks said,

“I can’t believe how cool Paramount has been to me and these projects, and how cool Plan B has been”

“I’m glad they took their time, and are trying to make the best zombie movie they can, I’m so glad they stayed with the project and so glad they found the right team.”

Paramount Pictures has also optioned the film rights to two of Brooks other graphic novels, “The Zombie Survival Guide” and “The Zombie Survival Guide: Recorded Attacks“.