WEAPONiZED (2016) Trailer [Tom Sizemore | Johnny Messner | Mickey Rourke]

The film is based on the 2009 novel of the same name, which was billed as having been co-written by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. The project was first announced on December 10, 2009, in Variety, when it was revealed that Natalie Portman would both star in the role of Elizabeth Bennet and produce, and that Lionsgate would finance and distribute.[7] On December 14, David O. Russell was announced as the writer and director of the film.[8] On October 5, 2010, it was revealed that Russell had left the production due to scheduling conflicts.[9] Russell later revealed that he had disputes with Lionsgate over the budget.[10] The next day, it was announced that Portman had quit the role of Elizabeth Bennet, though she would still produce the film.[11] Following Russell's departure, Lionsgate offered Mike Newell and Matt Reeves the chance to take over from him, but both declined. On November 3, 2010, the Los Angeles Times reported that Lionsgate had held meetings with Mike White, Neil Marshall and Jeffrey Blitz as potential directors.[12] White was hired on November 5.[13] On January 19, 2011, it was announced that White had had to leave the film due to scheduling conflicts with a pre-existing commitment at HBO.[14] In February 2011, Craig Gillespie took over as director.[15] Gillespie revealed he was attracted to the project by the mashing of genres.[16] In May 2011, screenwriter Marti Noxon was hired to rewrite Russell's script.[17] On October 27, 2011, it was announced that Gillespie had left the film.[18] The project then stalled until March 2013, when Panorama Media joined to produce, finance and handle foreign sales.[19] In May, it was announced that Burr Steers would take over as director.[20] Steers did a rewrite of the script, saying that he had reinserted "all the Pride and Prejudice beats”.[21]