Seth Grahame-Smith’s zombie parody of the classic Jane Austen novel, Pride And Prejudice And Zombies, was released five years ago. Granted, time doesn’t matter when it comes to adaptations. If the material is strong then it’ll last through the flippant fads of the public. With Smith’s comedy novel, the same logic applies.
This project has been in development since its publication, but now we can rejoice, as the five year drought of action has come to an end! Today another casting announcement has landed, and it comes in the form of British actor Douglas Booth signing on.
The mash-up novel follows heroine Elizabeth Bennet, who has to contend with men in high-waisted trousers and stiff upper lips AND hordes of the undead. Booth has signed on to play Bingley L, “the good natured and wealthy pal of Mr. Darcy.” This could be the role that puts him on the map – or one of many. He’s recently finished shooting on the Wachowski’s Jupiter Ascending, as well as appearing in the Darren Aronofsky biblical epic, Noah. He’s certainly an actor to keep an eye on, especially after his understated turn in the latter.
Today’s news comes a month after it was revealed Lily James, Sam Riley, Bella Heathcote and Jack Huston were confirmed to appear in the bloody tale. Burr Steers, who got to grips with teenage ennui in Igby Goes Down, is on board to direct from a script by Steers and David O. Russell.
There’s no word yet on when the cameras are set to roll, but we’ll keep you posted.
The synopsis for Pride and Prejudice And Zombies is as follows:
“It is a truth universally acknowledged that a zombie in possession of brains must be in want of more brains.”
So begins Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, an expanded edition of the beloved Jane Austen novel featuring all-new scenes of bone-crunching zombie mayhem. As our story opens, a mysterious plague has fallen upon the quiet English village of Meryton—and the dead are returning to life! Feisty heroine Elizabeth Bennet is determined to wipe out the zombie menace, but she’s soon distracted by the arrival of the haughty and arrogant Mr. Darcy. What ensues is a delightful comedy of manners with plenty of civilized sparring between the two young lovers—and even more violent sparring on the blood-soaked battlefield. Can Elizabeth vanquish the spawn of Satan? And overcome the social prejudices of the class-conscious landed gentry? Complete with romance, heartbreak, swordfights, cannibalism, and thousands of rotting corpses, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies transforms a masterpiece of world literature into something you’d actually want to read.