With a long up-and-down journey of potential directors including David O. Russell, Jonathan Demme, Mike White, Matt Reeves, and author Seth Grahame-Smith himself, it looks like we finally have a choice. Deadline is reporting that Craig Gillespie, director of Lars and the Real Girl, will “soon be set” as director of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
After his debut Mr. Woodock was butchered by the studio system (although we’ll never actually see his version), his Ryan Gosling indie gave him some strong cred. We’ll see his mainstream sensibilities this summer in his Fright Night remake with Colin Farrell and Anton Yelchin. As for Zombies, Lionsgate has let other “other aspirants” know that Gillespie will direct with negotiations happening in the near future.
For those unfamiliar with Graham-Seth’s novel he takes the Jane Austen classic and adds the bloody element of zombies. Pick it up if you, it is actually a good read. He is also behind Timur Bekmambetov‘s Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter which is currently shooting and will see a release June 2012.
Is Gillespie a good fit for this? Are you looking forward to Fright Night?