Natalie Portman

There was a rumor going around a week or two ago that the UK would be producing a six episode miniseries based on Seth Grahame-Smith's re-invisioning of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, but it was quickly revealed as little more than someone on Twitter making things up. Who knew anyone would commit such a heinous, unbelievable offense? Anyways, if the prospect of a Pride and Prejudice and Zombies TV show struck a chord with you, then you should be interested in the not-so-make-believe news that Natalie Portman will soon star in a feature film adaptation of Grahame-Smith's book.

The proposed PaPaZ film will be produced by Portman's own production house handsomecharlie in conjunction with Richard Kelly's Darko Films. And with Lionsgate stepping in to not only distribute the film, but fully finance it as well, chances are pretty good this will see the light of day sooner rather than later. No screenwriters, directors, or further cast have been announced yet, but Portman shall be topping the film as the love-lorn Elizabeth Bennet.

If the film inevitably does well, and I imagine it should do just fine given the two demographics it appeals to, one can expect the rash of alternate universe literary classics that followed in the steps of PaPaZ to be in line for adaptations as well. I haven't read the book myself, though I have heard it rather lacks in the undead department, but if a film version helps pave the way for a big screen The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and Zombie Jim, then I say bring it on.

Darren Aronofsky's latest film is a thriller with a supernatural twist. Black Swan, is currently in pre-production and Slash Film recently revealed full casting details for the film. It was already announced that Natalie Portman will star as Nina, a veteran ballerina competing against a mysterious rival dancer, Lily, played by Mila Kunis. As the dancers approach an important performance, Nina starts to question if her rival is a supernatural apparition or if she's having delusions and her identity starts to blur with that of her eerily similar competitor. To the absolute joy of fanboys everywhere, the film includes an "ecstasy-induced hungry, aggressive, angry sex" scene between Portman and Kunis. Having flashbacks to Requiem for a Dream yet?

Joining the cast of Black Swan will be Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder and Barbara Hershey. Ryder plays Beth, Nina's frienemy who used to be the star dancer but is nearing the end of her career. Hmm. Cassel is the "handsome but sinister" (love him but no shocker here) Yevna who is the stage director and Hershey is Nina's mother.

The film has been described as a slow-burner which seems appropriate for Aronofsky. He has a knack for building an unbearable tension with his visual and aural style. I'm seriously skeptical that Portman and Kunis can carry the film but with several Academy Award nominated actors in the mix perhaps I'll be convinced that the raunchy sex scene wasn't just added to detract from two deer in the headlights.

The original script for Black Swan was written by John McLaughlin and has been rewritten by Mark Heyman, co-producer of Aronofsky's The Wrestler. It's rumored that Fox Searchlight is close to acquiring the distribution rights as the project makes the rounds. You can expect to see Black Swan sometime in 2010.