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Tuesday
15Dec2009

Russell Directing 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies'?

DateTuesday, December 15, 2009 at 2:54AM
Last week, Natalie Portman was linked to the adaptation of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which, like the companion piece, Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, is exactly what it sounds like. And Portman will co-produce, an indication that she's starting to expand her horizons a bit. This could be a project to keep your eye on.

And now the film may have just added a perfect piece of volaility. Pajiba reports that David O. Russell, a director actors either love or want to strangle, has been mentioned as the leading candidate to helm Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. Russell is probably best known for his tantrums, unfortunately, because Three Kings and I Heart Huckabees - though they reportedly did have their share of tantrums - are awfully good movies. The guy knows what he's doing.

Truly, that's why I'm not worried about this at all. I don't think the requisite experience here is making horror films or period pieces, two demerits on his resume, which Pajiba points out. He'd never made a war movie, and Three Kings is incredibly solid, and he'd never made a movie about existential detectives and grocery stores, either, prior to Huckabees.

The key is, Russell knows how to tell stories in a visual medium, meaning that as much emphasis as he places on the script, he likes to keep his films looking interesting and distinctive. Is he a bit of a perfectionist? Yes, but only in the way Amy Winehouse is a bit of a mess. It has its drawbacks, but I'd rather have a guy who went the extra mile (or month) to get the film the way he wants it if he has a track record of that kind of thing working out. Michael Cimino on Heaven's Gate? Not so much. Fincher, Cameron, a guy like Russell? Sure. I'm not saying he's in that league, but he's a guy I wouldn't want to compromise.

Because he's also rumored to be adapting, it gives me even more confidence that Russell could be the most inspired choice out there, so if it's Portman who made that call as a producer, kudos. No matter the source, if this pans out, what a strange trip this could be.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | CommentPost a Comment |

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