You might not think that a film blending Jane Austen with the groaning, rotting undead and based on Seth Grahame-Smith’s larky novel would turn into one of the hottest directing jobs wandering around Hollywood, but Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is drawing some strong competition. David O Russell was aboard for a while, before ditching it to go and play – sorry, direct – a video game adaptation and make a film with Vince Vaughn. So who can fill the empty folding chair for Pride? Right now, the LA Times reports that both Mike White and Neil Marshall are top contenders for the job.
White is better known as a writer, with the likes of School of Rock, Nacho Libre, Orange County and Chuck & Buck to his name. But he did step behind the camera for Year of the Dog. And while he’s never made a horror film, he has tangled with zombies before, though he didn’t exactly come off well: you might recall him as a victim attacked on the toilet in Zombieland.
Marshall on the other hand, couldn’t have a more solid horror resume, filled with movies such as The Descent and Dog Soldiers. He’s also a darkly funny filmmaker: just say the word “sausages” to anyone who loves Marshall's werewolf encounter and see the reaction you get. So he’d also be a solid choice and, according to the Times, is high on Lionsgate’s list as someone who could take the gig.
But there’s also a dark horse in the race, with **Spellbound **/Rocket Science writer/director Jeffrey Blitz who has been in for meetings on the film.
With people such as Mike Newell and even Cloverfield/Let Me In’s Matt Reeves having passed, it would seem to be down to the three. And they'll need some actors, since apparently Scarlett Johansson has now turned the chance to play Elizabeth Bennett down. As for Bradley Cooper as Mr Darcy? That remains to be seen.
If we had to pick one, we'd plump for Marshall, since he's really got the chops to make it something fun. But who would you go for?