Pride and Prejudice and Zombies trailer - yes this is a real film

Take Jane Austin's Pride and Prejudice.

Add zombies.

Voila!

This is Pride and Prejudice and Zombies which first appeared as a book in 2009 where author Seth Grahame-Smith took Austen's original words and added his own plot elements and, notably, the shambling undead. It's a neat way of taking a popular public domain work and making some money out of a slightly spun re-release. Another example is Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters - which is also available in the budget aisle of your local bookshop.

The film version has been in the works for years, with Natalie Portman originally on board as star and producer. She's no longer in the frame and the film has had at least a half dozen directors, with many leaving over budget concerns. Burr Steers finalyl landed at the helm, he made 17 Again...

Otherwise the cast looks pretty good, Downton's Lily James is in the lead, Lena Headey and Charles Dance add some Game of Thrones class and there's also Jack Huston, Sam Reilly and Douglas Booth for the brooding. Does it look like a godawful mess? Yes. Is there still a chance it could be entertaining. Certainly!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is in cinemas on the 12th of February 2016.