Liongate has taped Mike White to direct "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies," according to Deadline.

White, who was the screenwriter behind "The School of Rock," fills a vacancy left by "Three Kings" director David O. Russell, who departed the project in October.

An adaptation of the Seth Grahame-Smith novel, the film will add an undead twist to Jane Austen's 1813 literary classic.

Although Grahame-Smith's tale changes only 15 percent of Austen's text, "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" places England in a long-running war with the living dead, with zombie killers Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy hacking and slashing their way to happiness.

Russell originally eyed Natalie Portman ("V for Vendetta") for the lead, but she chose to depart the project; however, she is staying aboard as a producer. Scarlett Johansson ("Lost in Translation") was recently pitched as a possible replacement for Portman. Bradley Cooper ("The Hangover") is also a candidate for a role.

White made his feature directing debut in 2007 with "Year of the Dog."

"Pride and Prejudice and Zombies" arrives in theaters in 2011.