Entertainment
'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies' Meets 'American Hustle' in Dream Casting
Many months back, it was announced that Seth Grahame-Smith's popular Jane Austen spin-off, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies would be getting a big screen adaptation. Silver Linings Playbook's David O. Russell was attached to direct, and Natalie Portman was set to star. But scheduling conflicts forced both talents off the project. A few more directors signed on, and then off, until the project finally landed in the hands of Burr Steers (17 Again), with a script written by O. Russell. This time around, Lily Collins is set to star, and Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is becoming a movie for real this time.
And if there's anything we learned over the past two award seasons, it's that Russell is obsessed with casting familar faces in his films. And while he won't be directing this time around, we wouldn't be surprised if his script had an influence over who gets cast. So, just for fun, we decided to cast Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, using only the cast of Russell's latest Oscar contender, American Hustle.
Elizabeth Bennet: Jennifer Lawrence
Who else would be fit to play Austen’s literary darling other than Hollywood’s girl next door Jennifer Lawrence? With her sweet disposition and her penchant for playing characters that could kick your ass, J Law is perfect for this rendition of Bennet, who not only must win Darcy’s heart, but has to slaughter a few zombies to keep Pemberley alive. And in case she wants to go the method acting route, she could always bug boyfriend Nicholas Hoult, who played a zombie in Warm Bodies, for tips.
Mr. Darcy: Christian Bale
It might be an odd choice, but I’ll ask you to harken back to your childhoods and remember Bale as his role in Little Women. Now that you are envisioning him in period garb, remember that Darcy, like Bale, is misunderstood and brooding to boot. All signs point to Batman. Er, Bale.
Mr. Wickham: Bradley Cooper
One of Bradley Cooper’s earliest and best roles was that of Wedding Crashers. He played the ultra-douchey jock, and we were completely convinced of his malice. Translate that to sexy-but-slutty Wickham, and you’ve found the perfect casting.
Jane Bennet: Amy Adams
What is sweeter than Amy Adams? Truly, there is nothing. Jane Bennet is Lizzie Bennet’s older sister who appears unlucky in love, but with the help of Lizzie she stays optimistic, and her feminine charms and general loveliness capture the hearts of her sisters and suitors.
Mr. Collins: Louis C.K.
Mr. Collins is perhaps one of the most annoying yet delightful characters in all of Austen’s literature. He is matter of fact, entitled, and believes romance has no place in marriage. He also brings about a heavy dose of comic relief to the novel, and who is more royally suited for the job than funny man Louis C.K.?
Mr. Bingley: Jeremy Renner
A bit aloof, a bit of a ditz, but Mr. Bingley has only the best of intentions. And while Renner might have witch hunting under his belt from a previous film that flopped, we think we’ll let him sit this round of fighting out. You just sit there and look pretty, Renner. Jennifer Lawrence’s got these zombies right where she wants ‘em.
