Youtuber MrBeast sent waves through the web following his serious consideration of a crazy idea proposed by Joe Rogan during their appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience in the most recent episode.
In episode number 2527, which aired sometime in July 16, 2026, the discussion started out tame enough but rapidly escalated to become an entire production plan. Rogan proposed the fundamental idea of placing participants in an entirely deserted city, now converted into a post-apocalyptic arena where, during the day, the participants must hunt down resources, accomplish objectives, and secure their shelter. At nightfall, “zombies,” either hired actors or stunt performers, will come for them.
MrBeast ran with it, fleshing out the mechanics on the spot. Glowing red zombie eyes for that extra creep factor. Limited flashlight batteries to crank up the tension after dark. Escalating daily challenges. Eliminated contestants potentially returning as zombies. A prize pool that grows with every day the group survives. He even tossed out casting ideas like former Navy SEALs, survival experts, and martial artists to keep things grounded and intense.
The YouTube star’s excitement was impossible to miss.
“I’m fighting the urge to go call my team,”
MrBeast said during the extended brainstorming session.
“Bro, I’m sold. I just got to find an abandoned city.”
He later added,
“I’m more inspired than ever. I think it’s very doable.”
Production talk turned serious fast. MrBeast estimated a $5–10 million budget to transform a real abandoned city into the set a scale that fits right in with his record-breaking Beast Games, which featured massive builds, huge prize pools, and thousands of cameras. He joked that a major streaming service could easily bankroll it.
The idea taps directly into MrBeast’s proven formula of blockbuster survival content while nodding to his older zombie-themed videos and upcoming thriller novel The Most Dangerous Games. Fans on social media are already pitching locations like Chernobyl and debating safety protocols, from paintball-style “kills” to sensor vests.
Challenges would be huge: securing permits for a real abandoned site, ensuring performer and contestant safety amid staged attacks, and managing logistics for a multi-week shoot. MrBeast has navigated big productions before, but this one would push boundaries on spectacle versus responsibility.
Watch for an official MrBeast post, Beast Industries update, or streaming partner reveal. That would move the zombie survival competition from viral podcast pitch to legitimate project in the works. Until then, it’s one of the most entertaining “what if” ideas to come out of a single podcast episode in recent memory.
