Seth Grahame-Smith Updates Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
A feature adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has been in the works for a few years now.David O. Russell (The Fighter) was originally set to direct with Natalie Portman in the lead before Russell dropped out completely and Portman moved back to a producer role. Next Mike White (Year of the Dog) signed on to direct, only to leave the project over scheduling conflicts. The latest director to come and go was Craig Gillespie (Fright Night 3D), but he vacated the project late last year over casting disputes. Speaking of which, a number of actresses have been offered—and turned down—the lead including Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone and Blake Lively. The project is now without a director or star, but Grahame-Smith seems confident that the film will see the light of day eventually:
“The status of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies right now is to be determined. I think there’s still a will at Lionsgate to do it. What I’m hoping is that Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter comes out, does well, and there’s more of an appetite for this kind of thing. But then again, Snow White and the Huntsman should come out and do well and that should renew an appetite for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. I’m pretty confident that sooner or later that movie’s gonna see the light of day, frankly it’s just waiting for the right combination of director and star to come together.”
He seems to insinuate that director/cast concerns aren’t the only thing holding the project up, as Lionsgate may be wary of the audience appeal of the zombie-infused Jane Austen story. Despite the gut reaction to blame the script for the coming and going of so many directors, Grahame-Smith maintains that the screenplay for the film is solid:
“Definitely the script is there. David O. Russell wrote a great draft, Marti Noxon revised that draft, so right there you have two great writers from different backgrounds. One is very in tune with the Buffy universe, one with more of an indie sensibility and everything. The script is great; this is not a script issue at all. I think it’s a timing issue. I think that sooner or later the right director and the right star are gonna get their hands on that script and that movie’s gonna go.”
Russell’s got a fantastic track record and while Noxon may be hit or miss, the infusion of her work with Russell’s is promising. Still, why have so many actresses turned down the role if the script is top notch? Maybe the director(s)’ vision is to blame. Whatever the case, we should have a better idea of the chances of a Pride and Prejudice and Zombies movie after this summer’s genre fare tests the waters.
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