It’s been a bumpy road for the screen adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith’s novel, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. After a slew of fickle directors (including David O. Russell and Mike White) backing out of the project, as directors do, it was finally announced that Craig Gillespie (Fright Night) will be taking the helm. Now, with the script reaching completion, we still have no definitive word on a female lead for the film.
Originally it was supposed to be Natalie Portman, which would have been awesome. But she had to back out (some garbage about having a baby), and will be on the project as producer. Then there were rumors of Mia Wasikowska, who recently played Jane Eyre in the film of the same name. One period piece under her belt, why not another? It doesn’t matter that I thought she was 14. After that, it was all about Anne Hathaway. That makes sense; because, really, what has Anne Hathaway not been in lately? If a film lately has a 20-something female lead, I’m actually to the point where I’m surprised when she’s not in it.
It now appears that we have moved on to Emma Stone. How is this any more definitive than any other rumors we’ve heard so far? Well, it isn’t. It would only be super awesome if it were true. She doesn’t necessarily strike me as a shoe-in for a film in the time period, but her role in Zombieland gives her a pretty good edge on this particular film. She’s beautiful, she’s talented, and she has experience with the undead. What more could you really ask for?
*Updated*
According to both Bleeding Cool and Deadline Emma Stone is now officially a no go for Pride and Prejudice and Zombies on film. Not much on why she isn’t doing the film but the bottom line is that she said no. That’s the bummer man.