I think it's officially time to give up on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It was fine when Natalie Portman decided she didn't want to star. It was fine when David O. Russell decided he didn't want to direct. It was fine when Russell's replacement, Mike White, decided he didn't want to direct either. But now it looks like the project has lost it's third director and I think it's time to just give it up.
According to Deadline, Craig Gillespie, who has been attached to direct the Seth Grahame-Smith adaptation since April, has left his poster as helmer of the project. In August there was a rumor that the director had left the project, but it was quickly debunked by Lionsgate, the studio behind the film. According to the new report Gillespie left peacefully, but his departure came as a result of multiple issues, including who to cast in the movie.
But it hasn't just been directors who have been turning down the project. In addition to Natalie Portman, other actresses who turned down offers to play heroine Elizabeth Bennett include Mia Wasikowska, Scarlett Johansson, Emma Stone and Blake Lively. While the story doesn't explicitly say what the next step will be, it's suggested that Lionsgate may turn to an agency and pick up a director and cast as part of a package deal.
In the meantime, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, a film based on another book by Grahame-Smith, has wrapped production and is on schedule to be released on June 22nd of next year. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies may have been the book that launched the author's popularity, but it might be time to just let the dream die.
