Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Craig Gillespie Drops Out of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: October 27th, 2011 at 7:34 pm

When it’s this hard to get a movie made, one has to wonder if it’s even worth making in the first place. The adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has cycled through a number of directors, many actresses have passed on the leading role, and now the current director has called it quits as well. Fright Night director Craig Gillespie has exited the project in what’s described as an amicable split with Lionsgate, as the two apparently disagreed on who to cast. Gillespie replaced Mike White on the project, who himself replaced original director David O. Russell. Actresses who have been offered the lead and passed include Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone, and most recently Blake Lively. Hit the jump for more including who could possibly come on to replace Gillespie.

FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION Podcast – 50/50, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT, and PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by John Campea    Posted: October 6th, 2011 at 4:19 pm

On this installment of For Your Consideration John, Dennis and Soul Video discuss:

• The Seth Rogen, Joseph Gordon-Levitt film 50/50
• Can Seth Rogen convincingly lead a major film?
• The news flurry and misinformation regarding all of the Arrested Development hub bub (despite what you may have heard, nothing has been confirmed)
• The continuing difficulty Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is having trying to land a major lead actress to be in the film (like 6 have turned them down so far)

And many things more.  Hit the jump to watch.

Blake Lively Offered Lead Role in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES?

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: September 23rd, 2011 at 9:14 am

As the adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s gimmick novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has cycled through directors (first David O. Russell, then Mike White, and now Craig Gillespie), multiple actresses have passed on the lead role of Elizabeth Bennett.  Natalie Portman was originally attached to star, but then she dropped out.  The part has been offered to Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone, and there have been no takers.  Now Twitch reports that Blake Lively is getting offered the chance to play the rebellious daughter who eventually gives her heart to Mr. Darcy, but she now also slays zombies.  No word yet if Lively will take the part.

No offense to Ms. Lively, but she’s not A-list, at least not yet anyway.  Yes, she stars on Gossip Girl which is one the CW’s highest-rated shows, but it’s the CW so that’s a lot like being the world’s richest hobo.  If she’s been offered the role, it may be a sign that the production is accepting that they can’t get a marquee name to sign on.  Lively recently co-starred in the awful indie Hick (although she’s not why it’s awful) and she’ll be co-starring in Oliver Stone’s adaptation of Savages.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the book.

Has Craig Gillespie Left PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES? [Updated]

by Bill Graham    Posted: August 30th, 2011 at 9:16 am

Despite the living dead being hotter than ever, zombies are having a tough time coming to the silver screen. The film adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s bestselling mashup, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, once seemed like a sure thing. Yet that simply isn’t the case anymore. The project has started and stalled repeatedly over the last few years, beginning in December 2009 when Natalie Portman first announced she would both produce and star in the film. Enter a long list of potential directors, and Portman dropping out of the role last October, and things started to become hazy. Then Craig Gillespie (Fright Night) came on board as director in April and things finally seemed to be heading in the right direction. Now, all of that seems to be in question again. Sigh. Hit the jump for full details and more.

[Update: Reps for Lionsgate have emailed us saying that Gillespie is still attached to direct.]

Emma Stone Offered Lead in PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Jason Barr    Posted: June 22nd, 2011 at 6:06 pm

After testing the waters with Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska, and Scarlett Johansson, Lionsgate has offered the female lead in Pride and Prejudice and Zombies to Emma Stone. Heat Vision reports on the offer to play Elizabeth Bennet, a zombie-killing heroine who sees her quest to save England from the undead made more difficult by the arrival of Fitzwilliam Darcy. The role was originally filled by Natalie Portman and has been vacant since the Oscar-winning actress decided to act solely in a producing capacity on the pic. Craig Gillespie (Fright Night remake) will direct Pride from an updated script by Fright Night scribe Marti Noxon.

For more on the project, hit the jump to check out a synopsis of Seth Grahame-Smith’s book which the film will adapt. If Stone accepts Lionsgate’s offer, Pride would be another high-profile pic for the actress who recently wrapped director Marc Webb’s The Amazing Spider-Man. She can also be seen alongside Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell in Crazy, Stupid, Love. due out July 29th and stars in The Help which is slated to hit theaters on August 12th.

Marti Noxon Pens New Draft of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Jason Barr    Posted: May 31st, 2011 at 6:40 pm

It looks as if scribe Marti Noxon (I Am Number Four) will reunite with director Craig Gillespie on Lionsgate’s adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s bestselling parody novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Having recently teamed-up for the upcoming Fright Night remake starring Colin Farrel and Anton Yelchin, TheWrap reports that Noxon has written a new Zombies draft for Gillespie who took the helm back in April. At that time, it was believed that the director would use a script by David O. Russell (The Fighter). It now looks as if Russell’s effort will fall to the wayside to make room for Noxon’s draft.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has yet to cast any roles after Natalie Portman dropped out of the lead to act solely as a producer. For those unfamiliar, Grahame-Smith’s book tells the story of Elizabeth Bennet, a zombie-killing heroine who sees her efforts to save England from the undead interrupted by fellow hunter Fitzwilliam Darcy. For more on the project, hit the jump to check out a more detailed synopsis of the book.

Director Craig Gillespie Talks PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES; Will Use David O. Russell’s Script

by Matt Goldberg    Posted: April 19th, 2011 at 10:00 am

The adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s novelty book Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has been cycling through directors for over a year.  In December 2009, David O. Russell came on board to write and direct, but left the following October.  Then in November, Mike White (Year of the Dog) signed on to direct, but he dropped out last January.  Now Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl) has the gig and he has given his first interview on his plans for the film.

The most interesting fact he provides is that he’ll use O. Russell’s script, because “it has such a great mix of humor and horror. I just love being able to juggle those two aspects.”  Hit the jump for more on what Gillespie had to say about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Craig Gillespie Close to Being Chosen as Director for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES UPDATED

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: April 5th, 2011 at 6:52 pm

Could this project finally have a director? Lionsgate’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has gone through so many director changes that it’s becoming impossible to keep track. Well now, it seems that long-rumored frontrunner Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl) is poised to land the job. Directors David O. Russell and Mike White were previously attached to direct the adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s retelling of Jane Austen’s classic, with a number of directors “rumored”, “in contention”, and “in talks” over the course of development.

Deadline reports that fellow contenders, including David Katzenberg and Smith himself, have been notified that the position will be given to Gillespie. The director recently wrapped the remake of Fright Night with Colin Farrell. Hit the jump to read a synopsis of the book.

Update: THR has now confirmed that Craig Gillespie will officially helm the project. So, finally, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has a director.

Seth Grahame-Smith Exclusive Interview THE HARD TIMES OF RJ BERGER; Updates on DARK SHADOWS, PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES, and ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER

by Christina Radish    Posted: March 24th, 2011 at 9:50 pm

The MTV scripted comedy The Hard Times of RJ Berger, from co-creators/executive producers David Katzenberg and Seth Grahame-Smith, returns for a funnier, more ambitious, raunchier and even more heartfelt second season. In Season 1, viewers got to see the anatomically gifted RJ Berger (Paul Iacono) chasing after the girl of his dreams (Amber Lancaster) and, now that he has her, Season 2 sees him facing various obstacles in keeping her. At the same time, RJ’s parents have romantic struggles of their own, when they announce to the teenager that they are separating. As with most high school experiences, life for RJ Berger turns out to not be everything he imagined it would be.

During this exclusive phone interview with Collider, Seth Grahame-Smith talked about paving the way for original programming at MTV, making the show bigger and better for Season 2, balancing the series with 50% heart and 50% fart, and their guest cameos with Paris Hilton, Weezer and Vinny from Jersey Shore.

Grahame-Smith also previewed his next novel, which he’s currently writing, talked about the possibility of he and Katzenberg directing Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, adapted from his own best-selling novel, talked about the process of adapting his own novel for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which is now in production, writing dialogue specifically for Johnny Depp for the Dark Shadows script, which goes into production in May, collaborating with Tim Burton, and his goals for making Dark Shadows fun and funny. Check out what he had to say after the jump:

Seth Grahame-Smith and David Katzenberg in Consideration to Direct PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: March 16th, 2011 at 5:31 pm

In what’s quickly becoming the longest search for a director ever, a couple of new names have cropped up as contenders to helm Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. In addition to the aforementioned Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl), Heat Vision reports that the author of the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies novel himself, Seth Grahame-Smith, is in consideration to co-direct the flick with partner David Katzenberg (son of DreamWorks Animation guru Jeffrey).

Grahame-Smith and Katzenberg previously created and wrote the MTV comedy The Life and Times of RJ Berger. Grahame-Smith is currently writing the screenplay to the film adaptation of his other “history + supernatural” tome Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter in addition to scripting Dark Shadows for Tim Burton. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has had a very, very large number of directors attached/rumored/de-tached/in talks over the last few months, so I think I speak for everyone when I say please, pick someone already.

Craig Gillespie Becomes Latest Director Attached to PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Ramses Flores    Posted: February 8th, 2011 at 4:26 pm

Lionsgate’s upcoming adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has had a tough time finding its way in front of cameras.  The studio has been trying to bring the Seth Grahme-Smith comedy-horror novel to the big screen for the past year or so with no luck.   David O. Russell (The Fighter) was first attached to direct the project with Natalie Portman set to produce and star in the film.  Portman then left the project, followed by Russell.   The studio then began to look for a new director with such names as Jonathan Demme, Matt Reeves, and David Slade being rumored for the job.  The studio eventually decided to go with Mike White (Year of the Dog) to only then have White walk away from the project a couple of weeks later due to a scheduling conflict with his upcoming HBO show, Enlightment.  Now, Vulture is reporting that Craig Gillespie (Lars and the Real Girl) is the latest director being rumored for the gig.

Gillespie seems to be a smart and logical choice for the studio.  He may be currently best known for directing 2007’s heartbreakingly sweet Lars and the Real Girl, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Lionsgate is choosing to court the director before he becomes a top choice for studios after his upcoming remake of Fright Night comes out later on this year.   It will now be interesting to see if the film will finally go into production or if Gillespie will end up leaving the project as well.  You can hit the jump to read a synopsis for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Christopher Smith Now Top Choice for Directing PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES? [Updated]

by Adam Chitwood    Posted: January 27th, 2011 at 6:37 pm

File this under rumor for now, but word is that British director Christopher Smith (Severence, Creep) is currently the top choice to direct Lionsgate’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. The revolving-door on the production has seen David O. Russell sign on to direct with Natalie Portman set to star and produce, then Portman left the project, then Russell left, then Mike White signed on to direct, and then most recently he left the project as well. Now, Quiet Earth (via SlashFilm) reports that an “inside source” at Lionsgate tipped them off that Smith is now the frontrunner to direct the project.

Take all of this with a grain of salt though, as this project has had a litany of names “attached”, “rumored”, or “circling” the film in its short history, with few actually materializing. For all of our past coverage of the circus that is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, click here. [Update: Lionsgate has contacted us to address the original Quiet Earth source as being false.  Wel'll have more on the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies director's chair as it becomes available.]

Mike White Drops Out of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: January 19th, 2011 at 6:14 pm

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a high priority at Lionsgate, but they’re having trouble putting it together.  In the early days, David O. Russell was set to direct Natalie Portman before both bailed (Portman stayed on as producer).  Mike White (Year of the Dog) was hired to replace Russell, but the writer/director has a scheduling conflict with HBO, presumably for his series Enlightened.  White released a gracious statement to Deadline:

“I loved the project and looked forward to working with Lionsgate. Unfortunately, the timing could not be worked out. I wish them the best with the movie.”

Now Lionsgate must return to the drawing board, which previously included David Slade, Jonathan Demme, and Matt Reeves among others.  It’s an enticing project, so I’m sure they’ll lure a talented filmmaker — one that’ll stick — sooner or later.  Hit the jump for a synopsis of the source material, a tongue-in-cheek novel  by Seth Grahme-Smith.

Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy Up for PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: December 11th, 2010 at 5:09 pm

Once, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies was going to be a collaboration between producer/star Natalie Portman and director David O. Russell (The Fighter).  Then, Portman not to star (staying on as producer), and Russell dropped out.  Lionsgate hired Mike White (Year of the Dog) to replace Russell, but at this point there are no stars for White to direct.

Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper, Mia Wasikowska, Tilda Swinton, and Catherine O’Hara were rumored for roles awhile back.  Two more have thrown their name into the hat: Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy.  Details after the jump.

Mike White to Direct PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES

by Brendan Bettinger    Posted: November 15th, 2010 at 8:52 pm

Writer/director Mike White has moved from “top contender” to “signed on” to direct Lionsgate’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.  Thus ends the whirlwind of candidates rumored when once-attached director David O. Russell departed to pursue other projects.  Up next: find an actress to replace Natalie Portman in the lead role.

White made his name first as a writer with about a dozen writing credits on both film and TV (School of Rock, Orange County, Freaks and Geeks) compared to his one as a director (Year of the Dog).  However, Variety makes no note whether or not White’s capable eye will take a pass at the script.  The first draft was written by Seth Grahme-Smith, the author of the source novel which inserts zombies into the classic Jane Austen tale.  Hit the jump for a synopsis.

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