With Mike White set as the official directing replacement for David O. Russell on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, it's time to start building a cast. While Natalie Portman was originally signed on to star as Elizabeth Bennet, her departure in October has left the slot vacant for the past two months. There was rumor a little while back that Portman's The Other Boleyn Girl co-star Scarlett Johansson would be taking the reins, but this story isn't about Ms. Bennet - it's about Mr. Darcy. Scottish Newspaper The Daily Record reports that James McAvoy has been cast as the romantic hero who helps Ms. Bennet stave off swarms of the undead. Based on the book of the same title by Seth Grahame-Smith, the film retells the classic Jane Austen story with a horror and comic twist.

While McAvoy is the kind of actor born to play a role like Mr. Darcy, there is one thing that I find somewhat suspicious about that article. The article casually says that Anne Hathaway is the top contender for the lead role, though her name has never been mentioned in association with the film before. It's entirely possible that Hathaway could be interested in the film, but the article is so blase about the idea that it seems questionable. Then again, I most certainly wouldn't complain about Hathaway and McAvoy headlining this project - frankly, it sounds perfect.