It’s been a few weeks since we heard any casting speculation about “Pride And Prejudice And Zombies” and the paucity of talk around the film means it’s time for some new rumors to begin.
The latest? Pajiba’s Hollywood Cog source, which is solid, but also gets its hands on wishlist info, is reporting that Anne Hathaway and James McAvoy are the latest casting “possibilities” for the lead roles of Elizabeth Bennett and Darcy in the film. Sure, it’s possible, but let’s not forget every name-brand 20/30-something actor/actress is going to be considered for these parts and as usual a lot of this “consideration” will be happening without the active participation of the stars. This report sounds like a very early one, as is the way of these things.
Some sites are reporting that these actors are actively in the mix for the role, but until you hear otherwise, assume it’s only in the early, “Hey, wouldn’t it be great if…” stage (everyone misses the fact that Pajiba posts disclaimers at the bottom of these Cog reports essentially saying, “this stuff is all in flux and may or may not happen).
Actors previously mentioned in connection with roles in the film were Scarlett Johansson, Bradley Cooper and Mia Wasikowska, but again these are all usual casting suspects. Produced by Natalie Portman, “Pride And Prejudice And Zombies” recently found a director in Mike White, the writer behind “School Of Rock” and the director responsible for “Year Of The Dog.” It’s too early for a start date because first you have to actually find a cast. File this one under: still gestating.
As our savvy readers remind us — it was early, we need coffee — Hathaway and McAvoy already co-starred in the Jane Austen biopic “Becoming Jane,” which focused on the troubled love life of the famous ‘Pride and Prejudice’ author so we’d count that as another strike against. Would they really want to reprise, well, sort of anyhow, this kind of milieu? Granted there’s zombies in this one, but still, we’re not convinced.