Movies
Christopher Smith Has “No Idea” Whether He’s Top Choice to Direct ‘Pride & Prejudice & Zombies’
Editor’s Note: We removed the story regarding Christopher Smith’s werewolf movie per his request. Sorry guys!
In an interview this morning with Christopher Smith (Severance, Triangle) about his new gruesome period film Black Death (now On-Demand, Xbox, Playstation, Vudu, Amazon.com and iTunes February 4; in theaters March 11), B-D reporter Chris Eggertsen made sure to ask the director about recent rumors he’s become Lionsgate’s leading choice to direct the red-hot Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – an adaptation of the mash-up novel by author Seth Grahame-Smith – following Mike White’s departure from the project last month.
However, it turns out Smith doesn’t know anything more about it than the general public, insisting he first spotted the rumor “on the net” like the rest of us and hasn’t heard anything since. Nevertheless, he admitted he’s definitely interested in taking the helm if the opportunity arises.
“There’s a rumor on the net – which I only knew about the same as everyone else – that I was in the lead for [directing] ‘Pride & Prejudice & Zombies’,” Smith told B-D over the phone. “And I would love to [do it]. Whether that happens, who knows? But it’s exactly the sort of thing I like. It’s a mash-up…that’s where genre [films are] always best, is when it’s doing interesting things. That’s why we like it…because they’re not just serial killer movies, they’re…[‘Nightmare on Elm Street’] is a serial killer movie, but when you first watch that movie it’s brilliant cause it’s dealing with dreams, and it’s new. That’s when they’re the best, I think.”
The rumor did necessitate a little damage control on Smith’s part, however, given his knowledge that friend/fellow director Neill Marshall (The Descent, Centurion) has also been circling the project.
“The weird thing [is], I’d been talking to Neil Marshall about it a few weeks before we’d heard that Mike White pulled out,” he said. “Cause I knew that Neil was kind of circling that film. And then the next day I get on the net: ‘Chris Smith is [attached to] ‘Pride [and Prejudice]’! Literally, I had to call Neil Marshall and say, ‘Hey Neill! I didn’t know anything about this! I’m not undercover, I’m not trying to go undercover to get this movie!’ So I think what it is, is that they’re trying to work out…I don’t know. I honestly have no idea about it, it’s obviously an exciting project. It’s a hot project, a really cool idea.
“I think that the idea itself could be a hit if done right,” he continued. “The problem with the thing is, is that you kind of have to do it a certain way because the audience for ‘Pride and Prejudice’ is not the audience for zombie movies, and how do you mix that and make it so that one meets the other in a really cool way? That’s the key of that film, I think. So I think it’s gonna be interesting to see what they do with it.”
Smith also took pains to shoot down other recent reports that he is definitely not taking part or even interested in the project and that instead he’ll next be directing a film noir/road movie entitled Detour (a project he is, in fact, currently working on). He just simply doesn’t know.
“I spoke to a journalist like two days ago and it came up on the net: ‘Chris Smith is no longer [interested] in ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies!’,” he told B-D. “No, that’s not true!”
So here’s the story, straight from the mouth of Christopher Smith: he has no idea if he’s the lead choice to direct ‘Pride and Prejudice and Zombies’. He hasn’t heard anything. But he would LIKE to direct the film if the project comes his way, and is not yet committed to helming any other project at this time. Clear enough?
This week’s big new horror release is of course Evil Dead Burn in theaters later in the week, but you don’t have to wait until this weekend to inject fresh nightmares into your eyeballs.
Five brand new horror movies have already released at home this week.
Here’s all the new horror that released on Tuesday, July 7, 2026!
Director André Øvredal’s (The Autopsy of Jane Doe, Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark, The Last Voyage of the Demeter) new movie Passenger is now available on Digital at home.
Here’s the synopsis for Passenger: “A few weeks into their van life adventure, a young couple witnesses a horrific accident that leaves the driver dead. Soon they’re being pursued by a demonic stalker who’s impossible to outrun and follows them wherever they go.”
André Øvredal told Bloody Disgusting in an exclusive chat, “It’s a road movie, which is what I really fell in love with. It’s totally unique for me as a horror movie. Bridging the road movie with a haunting, essentially, on the road. I think it’s the scariest movie I’ve made.”
The cast includes Jacob Scipio, Lou Llobell, Melissa Leo, Tony Doupe, Bonni Dichone, Devielle Johnson, Jessica Cruz, Miles Fowler, and Alan Trong.
The screenplay is written by Zachary Donohue (The Den) and T.W. Burgess (Mister Howl). Former Warner Bros production executive Walter Hamada, who steered the Conjuring and It franchises, is producing via his 18hz as part of his first-look deal with Paramount. It screenwriter Gary Dauberman is also producing via Coin Operated.
Supernatural horror, psychological suspense, and an eye-catching creature take center stage in The Leaching, now available on Digital from Dark Star Pictures and Uncork’d Entertainment.
“After waking up in a grave on her father’s isolated forest property with no idea of who she is or how she got there, Vivian must use her limited memory to piece together the nightmarish truth, all the while being tormented by the undead, a giant leech monster, and her ‘father.’
“Over the next few days, she will uncover the framework of a truly nefarious supernatural scheme, but will it be too late?”
The Leaching is written and directed by Evan Showalter (Ante Mortem, Bad Music Terry).
“The Leaching is an exploration of faith, the loss of self, and the monsters (literally) that emerge when people surrender themselves to something greater than they can understand,” says Showalter. “It’s an isolating horror film that plays with a very uncomfortable question.”
A film student finds herself trapped in a giallo nightmare in lo-fi horror movie City Wide Fever, which is now streaming exclusively on the Midnight Pulp streaming service.
The meta horror movie is from debut writer/director Josh Heaps.
In City Wide Fever, “Sam, a young film student, discovers a USB detailing the life and career of forgotten Italian horror director Saturnino Barresi.
“As she begins to investigate his mysterious disappearance, Sam finds herself pulled into a violent conspiracy eerily similar to those of the films she adores.”
Diletta Guglielmi, Angelica Kim, and Nancy Kimball star with Onur Tukel (Summer of Blood), Larry Fessenden (You’re Next), Carolyn Farina, and comedian Ian Fidance.
Paul Lê wrote in his review for Bloody Disgusting, “This isn’t just a case of throwback filmmaking that’s been achieved with contemporary technology; the director used era-authentic equipment to help create this striking and nostalgic piece of modern horror. The end result is a movie… teeming with enough verve and style to make it feel fresh.”
A Gen Z slasher that pays homage to ’90s teen slasher movies, You’re Dead to Me is now available on Digital outlets at home courtesy of distributor Dark Star Pictures.
In the slasher film, “Three high school seniors skip prom for a secluded weekend party free from parents, school, and responsibility, but their escape turns terrifying when they learn one of their classmates has been brutally murdered.”
Denise Richards (Valentine) stars alongside Siena Agudong (Sidelined: The QB and Me, Sidelined 2: Intercepted), Jessica Belkin (“Baywatch” ), Ella Anderson (“Henry Danger,” Song Sung Blue), and Conor Husting (“Boo, Bitch”, Hollywood Stargirl).
The film was directed by Juan Pablo Arias Munoz.
You’re Dead to Me was co-written by Sarah Howard and Terry Castle, the daughter of the legendary producer and filmmaker William Castle (House on Haunted Hill, The Tingler).
Steven Quale (Into the Storm, Final Destination 5) directed the supernatural thriller Black Box, which has now taken flight on Digital outlets courtesy of Aura Entertainment.
The film is based on the short film The Vessel, and an original screenplay from horror writer Stephen Susco (The Grudge, The Grudge 2, Texas Chainsaw 3D, Hell Fest).
Black Box (Flight 298) follows the supernatural events surrounding Vero Airlines 298 from New Orleans to Seattle.
Tom Brittney, Holly Leena White, Betsy Blue English, Dane Whyte O’Hara, Kaja Chan, Asa Ali, Boadicea Ricketts, Ceallach Spellman, Georgina Leonidas, Molly Belle Wright, Hanneke Talbot, Danny Mack, and Weronika Rosati star in Black Box.
Hammerstone Studios’ Alex Lebovici (Barbarian, Boy Kills World) and Jon Oakes (Drive, The Guilty) will produce alongside Capstone’s Christian Mercuri and David Haring (Bill & Ted Face the Music), Warren Zide (The Final Destination, American Pie), and Susco. Ruzanna Kegeyan and Roman Viaris of Capstone, and Clark Baker (Vessel) will executive produce.
What happened to Flight 298? Find out on Digital outlets now.
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