Craig Gillespie made offer to direct Pride and Prejudice and Zombies?

It's been sorta sad watching the two very different paths to the big screen for Seth Grahame-Smith's two historical horror novels. While Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter had a fairly easy trek, with Timur Bekmambetov(Wanted) coming aboard to direct fairly early on and an eager young cast squared away, that film is looking like it could be a potential blockbuster. But what about Pride and Prejudice and Zombies? It's gone through Hell so far, with both David O. Russell(The Fighter) once attached to direct before backing out. Then Mike White(Year of the Dog) was aboard for a hot minute before he pulled out.  A couple of months ago, Craig Gillespie(Lars and the Real Girl) had his name thrust into the mix for the job, but even that subsided with the possibility of Grahame-Smith directing the film himself. Now it looks like Gillespie has made his way to the top of Lionsgate's list. 

Deadline reports that Lionsgate is telling all other prospective candidates that an offer is being made to Gillespie for the job and that negotiations should begin soon. Gillespie's remake of Fright Night is due to hit theaters in August later this year. 

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies reimagines Jane Austen's 1813 novel with a horde of zombies roaming the countryside. A great idea, and I'm due to start reading it myself very soon. Expect for casting to begin immediately if Gillespie signs on because zombie movies are going to be crowding multiplexes in the coming year.