While all movies go through setbacks during filming, “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” has gone through more than a fair share in preproduction. The film adaptation of the popular parody novel has had so many cancellations and setbacks that many horror fans wonder if the movie will ever be made. Right now, it appears that the movie can be counted among the undead.
This past week, Dread Central reported director Craig Gillespie has left his chair on the project. This comes after both David O. Russell left the director’s chair that was later filled by Mike White, who also ended up leaving the project. Don’t forget Natalie Portman was originally connected to star in the movie until she announced that she would rather produce the project instead. At this point, a star has not been found to replace her.
As of the writing of this post, Lionsgate has denied Gillespie has left the project, even though the director has confirmed his exit through DreadCentral. This makes me believe he left the project due to some type of disagreement with the company. My guess is that the company does not want to admit the argument or a mistake was made on their part. One has to wonder what Lionsgate is doing wrong.
Could it be Lionsgate is falling back into the old bad habit of requiring an overly short shooting schedule? Could there be too much pressure on the directors for some reason? I am sure it cannot be a budgetary issue: Zombies are in the forefront right now and gaining more popularity every year. Zombies are hot right now, and any investor would love to cash in as much as possible.
There is a lot of faith put in this project by horror movie fans and by zombie fans in particular. Note that “World War Z” is not living up to expectations since it has been announced Brad Pitt is not making a movie based directly on the novel, but just a normal, run-of-the-mill zombie movie. Fans were holding out for something special from “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.” Hopefully they will not be let down.
More from this Contributor:
Is ‘World War Z’ Really Cursed?
Natalie Portman is Not the Audrey Hepburn of Our Generation…Yet
How ‘Bad Kids Go to Hell’ Breaks the Hollywood Horror Mold
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