MovieChat Forums > Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (2016) Discussion > How do movies like this get a Greenlight...

How do movies like this get a Greenlight?

posted 8 years ago by Amanni3968
133 replies | jump to latest

I'm asking in all seriousness. I have not seen the film nor do I plan to, as I find the premise absurd, but that's just me. I don't care that someone produces a movie that I find to be ludicrous, I just want to know how this is done? How does this happen? How are decent scripts passed over for movies like this or Jupiter Ascending, and on and on and on (the list is never ending). I can't wrap my head around this. You catch whiffs or hints of potentially great movies and/or plots, then they fade into obscurity and Hollywood fills the dead space with dung like this. Is the magic formula to take a classic book, and rip it apart, add several layers of ridiculousness, and then that makes it a hit? Can I just come up with oh I don't know, " The Count of Monte Cristo meets the Hunchback of Notre Dame all while attending Hogwarts fighting off nargles". (BTW - that's my idea - my idea, no stealing it!) I mean WTF - who picked this up and said - "WOW, a classic stuffy romance set to the back drop of Victorian England with, say what now, Zombies! Shut the front door *nameless genius scratches chin* Hmm The walking dead is doing pretty good right now, so I say let's run with it"! Is that how it goes down?

[–] oneleggoalie 8 years ago

If you've read the books...both Austen and Grahame-Smith...you'd understand that this is a worthy project to bring a little light and witty entertainment to a more discriminating audience.

The dialog in Grahame-smith's work is rather intelligently funny...and perhaps somewhat lost on less demanding film-goers of certain type.

Do hope we've helped you..."know how this is done"...as to how it happens...it's called...

Sometimes taste triumphs over mediocrity.

Not sure whether this is a well-made film however...we must watch it first.

...bar is closed people stagger out
the pretty, the crippled, and the proud.

[–] !!!deleted!!! (49761343) 8 years ago

How are decent scripts passed over for movies like this or Jupiter Ascending, and on and on and on (the list is never ending). I can't wrap my head around this.

Isn't it obvious? The people who are in charge of greenlighting scripts are uneducated.

I don't mean that as an insult. I'm being totally serious. One of my theories as to why movies have gotten so much worse over the years is that the new generation of people who are now running Hollywood are not as educated as the previous generation. The very reason why stuff like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Gone with the Wind, etc. were greenlighted in the past is that the people who greenlighted them came from a generation that still read and appreciated good books.

Today's generation are the ones who who grew up on nothing but Saturday morning TV shows, anime and comic books and were never exposed to anything beyond these things. So when they come across a "decent script" and a cheesy script, they are more likely to choose the cheesy, more "fun" script that is most like the cheese they grew up with.

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[–] teatat 8 years ago

You are comparing against movies that have stood the test of time. Not all the movies from those generations would hold up. Plus there have always been movies whose value was in giving people a break from real life and a good laugh. This movie has no pretensions of being anything other than an entertaining and (intentionally) funny movie.

[–] loco_73 8 years ago

Well I've just seen the movie and it was better than I thought. I went in with no expectations, and for once it didn't turn out to be the run of the mill cinematic garbage which populates cineplexe at this time of the year. No it's not a masterpiece, but it works. It's a satire of a satire in a way. In hindsight. I enjoyed this more than "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter"...

"Today is the tomorrow I was so worried about yesterday"--Anthony Hopkins

[–] C-Younkin 8 years ago

Someone must have thought it was a funny idea. Seems like a good Mad Tv sketch to me but extend it beyond let's say 5 minutes and you start to see how dull it is and how it's really fulfilling neither wish for zombies or period piece romance.

And if you guys are interested in a review- https://youtu.be/LPH2V1akF8c

Trying to go for an informative, and hopefully something people think is funny, youtube channel so hope you guys like. Thanks.

[–] johnnylightfire 8 years ago

Just got back from watching PP&Z and thought it was quite fun. It kept the spirit of Pride and Prejudice very much alive with dialog I easily recognized from the Keira Knightley presentation from 2005. And it threw in the zombie craze that Walking Dead fans (like me) love. The story works here. The acting was spot-on. Matt Smith (the Doctor in Dr Who) was a hoot as Mr. Collins. Lily James is an absolute vision as strong-minded Elizabeth Bennett. And her sisters aren't bad-looking either. And Sam Riley played a solid Mr. Darcy. So all-in-all. An entertaining night at the movies.

And please don't mention Jupiter Ascending in the same sentence as PP&Z. I saw that crap-filled movie last year and it might very well be in my Top 20 worst movies I've ever sat through.

[–] beej44 8 years ago

I hear what you're saying. I think as the zombie genre has been so flogged to death maybe they thought making a movie as ludicrous as this might finally put it to bed.

If not where does end? 'Far From the Madding Crowd & Zombies', 'The Old Curiosity Shop & zombies', 'The Importance Of Being Earnest & zombies' ???

Watch this space.

[–] onyxtiger74 8 years ago

The book was a favorite of hipster d-bags and the blending of the classic novel plus a pop culture "phenomenon" like the zombie apocalypse was a manufactured, tactical, genius move on the part of the creator of these types of books. If you are able to appeal to the ADHD Generation, you don't need substance, just a gimmick and you too can roll in the dough. What you CANNOT do is challenge the foolishness of it or you will be told things like, "It was a New York Times best seller!", "It has a lot of Pride and Prejudice in it still". The arguments of sheeple.

The style is what matters and it's a new twist on something, two things that have been recycled ceaselessly. If you are not impressed and question it, "You just don't get it, man". (This is where I'd enter a gif showing my palpable disdain).

I saw it and wish I could get my time back. I was taken on a date. I will not be seeing him again for choosing this tripe.

-Why are you the way that you are?...I hate...so much about the things that you choose to be...

[–] !!!deleted!!! (49761343) 8 years ago

The book was a favorite of hipster d-bags and the blending of the classic novel plus a pop culture "phenomenon" like the zombie apocalypse was a manufactured, tactical, genius move on the part of the creator of these types of books.

I checked this book out at GoodReads and was horrified by the number of ratings and reviews it got. (A loooot of people read it.) But then again, we're living in an age when everyone thinks that 50 Shades of Grey has set a new benchmark in erotic literature, so why am I not surprised?

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[–] parbon84 8 years ago

Urgh, how does it feel to be so superior?

The ADHD generation? What is wrong with you?

The year of a release doesn't matter, amazing work is being created all the time, unfortunately you're too far up yourself to see what is around you.

Arrogant nostalgia filled miserable fools like you always find a way to try drag others fun down.

The fact of the matter is your taste is very narrow, very limited, and very (VERY) nostalgic.

If we all shared your sorta taste, movies would be awful.

Thanks for sharing your depressing and miserable thoughts so, so great to know you're so detached from young people that you think every single person below a certain age is beneath you.

Absolutely pathetic, how does one grow INTO idiocy?

[–] thunderztorm 8 years ago

You sound like a charming lady. I'm sure you'll get married soon.

[–] slasherfan 8 years ago

Whoever greenlit it is probably dreading going to work on Monday.