Sam Riley and Lily James have been cast in 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies'.

The 'Control' actor will portray Mr. Darcy opposite James as heroine Elizabeth Bennett and Bella Heathcote as one of her sisters in the movie, which is based on Seth Grahame-Smith's novel mash-up of Jane Austin's classic 19th century drama which sees the romantic exploits of the lead characters disrupted when they are faced with an army of the ''sorry stricken''.

Jack Huston is also in talks to join the project.

The film has been in development for some time and has seen numerous changes but, according to Deadline, it will now finally go ahead with Burr Steers directing from a script he has re-written based on an earlier draft from David O. Russell.

When the movie was first announced, Natalie Portman - who remains as a producer - was first attached to the lead role, and it was then offered to Emma Stone, who passed in 2011, and Lily Collins was also considered.

As well as 'Silver Linings Playbook' filmmaker Russell, Mike White and Craig Gillespie have all previously been in the running to direct, and have worked on the script, as have other writers including Jane Espenson.

Filming is scheduled to begin next month.