Blake Lively passes on Pride and Prejudice and Zombies

Lionsgate are having a tough time trying to find an actress to lead Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, with Emma Stone, Rooney Mara, Scarlett Johansson, and Mia Wasikowska deciding against appearing in the film over recent months.

Blake Lively (Green Lantern) was the latest actress to be offered the lead, but according to Variety’s Justin Kroll she has also passed.

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – essentially a retelling of Jane Austen’s classic novel Pride and Prejudice with added zombie mayhem – was announced back in 2009 and has been through the hands of two directors, David O Russell (The Fighter) and Mike White (Year of the Dog). For reasons such as budget and scheduling conflicts they didn’t sick around, but Lars and the Real Girl director Craig Gillespie came on-board in April and it looks like he’s staying (for now).

All these actresses declining doesn’t bode well for the film, which could reflect the quality of the script. Although they could be declining due to the risk of leading a film with a weird concept. Natalie Portman’s production company are producing the movie, but it’s obviously not the ideal project she wants to appear in next following her pregnancy and Oscar win.