Mashup. The word evokes a combination of musical pieces to form a new song, or perhaps a new recipe of mashed potatoes.
In the literary field, mashups are becoming more popular. Some might use or be more familiar with the ‘derivative work’ when speaking about this genre which is often a combination of a public domain work retold with strong elements of horror or fantasy.
The idea of a mash-up is a novel concept, because it sheds light on an older text. Readers are introduced to a story, and that story leads a reader to find the original text and read it. This opens readers up to the classics that they might not have read prior.
“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is one such book written by Seth Grahame-Smith that takes Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice” and places it within the context of a zombie crisis. The movie, directed by Burr Steers, features an all-star cast including Lily James (“Cinderella”), Lena Headey (“Sarah Connor Chronicles,” “300,” “Game of Thrones”), Matt Smith (“Dr. Who,” “Terminator: Genisys”), Sam Riley (“Maleficient,” “Byzantium”), and Charles Dance (“Game of Thrones”).
The movie adaptation will be a delight to any who are fans of romance action, tough and feisty females, or zombie flicks. Beware though; this is not your grandmother’s Jane Austen world. Gore and horror content may make this film not for everyone. Beyond that, it is the best of both worlds. Blending the action with romance makes for a dynamic movie, though the violence sometimes can distract or even contrast the scenery and dialogue. The movie at times has a Kill-Bill-esque vibe to it.
Fernando Velazquez, who has composed a growing number of horror/thriller film soundtracks, brings in the suspense and drama necessary.
During a question and answer session, Lily James, Matt Smith, Bella Heathcourt and Douglas Booth talked about the making of the film.
“It’s quite interesting to add zombies to any story. Somehow, it makes the stakes more dynamic,” Smith said. “I went back to the original book as a source material to try to sort of make things up. Burr (Steers, director) allowed a platform and environment where you could take risks and throw things out there that weren’t in the script.”
“There have been a lot of Pride and Prejudices before and it’s been one very well. I think that especially if you love something, it’s wonderful to see something done in a different way. And adding something as surreal and strange as zombies seemed to heighten some of the themes and relationships, making them become very clear. Bennet gets to beat the crap out of Darcy which is sort of a physical manifestation of all her sexual frustration,” James said.
“The book was an awesome expression of female empowerment and this (the movie) does, too. Jane Austen would love girl power and so do Jane Austen viewers,” Heathcourt added.
The cast agreed that “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” is a “really fun movie” and they hope that audiences will have fun while watching it.
“The love stories still remain at the heart of the story, and you have the romance and the drama and then you get thrown into a zombie attack. So it makes it a really exciting romp that holds together well,” Heathcourt said.
When asked what literary classic they hoped would eventually be developed into a mashup, the cast unanimously said, “’War and Peace and Zombies’!”
The cast was asked if any of the actors made their character more subversive, and the other members mentioned Smith’s take on Collins.
“Because there’s zombies in the film, somehow it allows you to make bold choices because the laws of the universe are slightly heightened and the characters therefore can be slightly heightened. Maybe subversive is the wrong word. (It’s more about) reinventing the characters that have been played before and giving it your own spin (as an actor),” Smith said.
“Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” will be a movie that couples can go see together and both find elements of the movie that they will enjoy. “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies” opens in theaters on February 2, 2016.
