This could be fun.

Natalie Portman has signed on to play Elizabeth Bennet, everyone’s favorite Jane Austen heroine. Initially this is sounds pretty ho-hum except that this is Elizabeth Bennet the zombie slayer!

Natalie is going to star in the film version of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE AND ZOMBIES. P&P&Z is not really a parody but rather an expanded version. It follows the original novel, except that it now has a zombie invasion in it. Seth Grahame-Smith co-authored P&P&Z with Austen.

In addition to starring, Natalie is also co-producing. Her production partner, Annette Savitch, offered up these comments in Variety:

“Natalie and I are longtime passionate fans of Jane Austen’s books and this a fresh, fun and thought-provoking way to approach her work. The idea of zombies running rampant in 19th Century England may sound odd, but it lends a modern sense of urgency to a well known love story.”

Lends a sense of urgency? I am really not sure how to take that statement. I find it funny as hell, but I don’t know if it was meant to be funny. Regardless, this could be something awesome. I hope this is shot as a serious film and not tongue in cheek.