The saga of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’ movie adaptation has had as many highs and lows as its source material. First the popular Quirk publication was assigned to offbeat (and oft off his nut) filmmaker David O. Russell, who lined up Natalie Portman as the zombie-slaying heroine, Elizabeth Bennett. Then Russell backed out to pursue new ventures, while Portman ducked out as Black Swan gained buzz. Lots of cast rumors followed, as well as a heated director showdown that had a surprisingly green winner: Mike White.
Now, the project seems to have risen from the dead once more, as Pajiba reports on rumors that Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy are being considered for the roles of Elizabeth and Mr. Darcy respectively. Of course, Hathaway’s name is popping up a lot lately – from the Barbarella remake to Natalie Portman’s proposed raunchy comedy BYO – so it’s hard to say how viable this may be. However, this casting would have an amusing bit of symmetry as Hathaway and McAvoy previously co-starred in the Jane Austen biopic Becoming Jane, which chronicled the troubled love life of the heralded Pride and Prejudice writer, and implied the romance featured in the movie was the book’s inspiration. For the movie nerd correlation alone I like this casting call. Besides that, both Hathaway and McAvoy are unfailingly charming, which could ensure a watchable film no matter its shortcomings.
What are your thoughts on this cast possibility?