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Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, Now With Natalie Portman

by Ethan Anderton
December 11, 2009

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies / Natalie Portman

You may remember back in February that there was quite the online stir about an altogether revision of a classic Jane Austen work. Of course I'm talking about Seth Grahame-Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. No sooner was the Internet abuzz than studios were clamoring to snatch the rights to the unique re-telling of the period romance. Since then we've been anxious to see how the project would develop, and now Variety reports Natalie Portman has signed on to star and produce this story of a woman's quest for love and independence amidst the outbreak of a deadly virus that turns the undead into vicious killers.

This simple yet brilliant twist on the classic story finds the dainty Elizabeth Bennet (Portman) distracted from her quest to eradicate the zombie menace by the arrival of the arrogant Mr. Darcy. I absolutely cannot wait to see a zombie period piece, let alone one based on such an iconic story as the one told by Jane Austen. It makes me wonder how fun it would be to inject other classic horror and sci-fi scenarios amidst even more classic stories. An alien invasion set during War and Peace, or a giant monster attack in The Great Gatsby would be some jolly good fun. But for now I'll just settle for some undead horror amidst classic romance.

"Natalie and I are longtime passionate fans of Jane Austen’s books and this a fresh, fun and thought-provoking way to approach her work," producer Annette Savitch said. "The idea of zombies running rampant in 19th Century England may sound odd, but it lends a modern sense of urgency to a well known love story." Portman will produce this adaptation through her Handsomecharlie production company with Darko Films' Richard Kelly, Sean McKittrick and Ted Hamm. Lionsgate will finance and distribute the film. They have not hired a screenwriter or director yet, so stay tuned for updates as they arrive. This is awesome news so far!

Filed under Casting, Movie News, Opinions

From around the web:

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/2408/blackbabyjesus.gif Crapola

I don't see what all the fuss is about period dramas, a bunch of inbred toffs being scared to speak to each other because they might offend someone, it makes very little sense to me. Throw in some zombies, make a little more sense, but not much.
Eric B

Portman as a Shaolin trained zombie killer, what’s not to love!!! Then to top it off, it’s Natalie Fricken Portman…
Robb

OMFG, I just finished reading P&P&Z, and its an exccelent book totally stands by itself and is an engaging , fun read...of course, given that movie retellings often WRECK the story, I am of mixed feelings about a movie. then again, it'l be kewl to see the fight between Lizzy and Lady Catherine fire up the cable flying team!
Xerxex

Dude...Best. Casting. Move. Ever.
Cineprog

Sounds fantastic idea if this project gets of the ground
d1rEct

Really dumb idea, but I still will take notice of whatever Natalie Portman is in, she has to be the hottest Israeli on the planet (well top five atleast).
Silver

Romeo and Juliet and Zombies FTW!!!
guh

this is pretty sweet news
Tra la la la la di da

If you have a sense of humor and can appreciate something that wasn't written for a Oprah, this book was great awesome. it lived up to what I wanted it to be and when I asked for it at B&N, they didn't let me finish and the lady had a smile when I asked for Pride and Prejudice. Then I threw in the zombie part and she figured, dumb kid. I've read the P&P twice, I'm a lit major but I can enjoy satire and something other than books written before...time began. Oh...it's late. lol
Xerxex

Tra la la, I agree. There is serious literature, then there is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, book is a great read, and I think it will make for a good movie...Back to I Lucifer.
crumb

portman does no wrong. (those star wars films don't exist.)
http://www.bestromancemovies.com/ Eliza

Sound interesting! I am all excited.