In the comments to the post about the trailer for the new modern-set P&P, we hinted at some background that readers asked us to share. We thought the confirming pages had disappeared from the Internet, but it turns out they hadn’t, so we decided to go forward. We post this information so that our Gentle Readers can form their own conclusions about the production.
In February 2010, we heard from an Alert Reader who has provided us with excellent information about upcoming films, casting, etc. in the past. She wanted to let us know about a new modern-set P&P. She seemed excited about it, but after inspecting the links, we had serious doubts.
The first link was to the P&P2005 blog, which had an interview with the writer/director/producer. The blogger claimed that she had been introduced to this individual by Keira Knightley. Yes, that Keira Knightley. Allegedly the interaction had happened via a Twitter account allegedly belonging to Miss Knightley, which claims it is “MY ONLY TWITTER!” References to wonderful fans, coy allusions to “Ru,” etc. lend an air of verisimilitude; however, in 2009 Miss Knightley claimed in an interview that she hated social networking in general and Twitter, Facebook, and email in particular. Another thing to be noted is that most official celebrity Twitter accounts are verified by Twitter. For instance, see Tom Hanks’ Twitter account, and note the white-on-blue check mark next to his name. If one hovers one’s mouse over this checkmark, it indicates that the account is verified to belong to the actual celebrity. All celebrities we have followed on Twitter have this verification. Keira’s “MY ONLY TWITTER!” has no such check mark.
According to the blog post, “Keira” told the blogger that she had read a great new script written by a friend of hers for a modern-set P&P. She offered to perform the introductions via e-mail. The introductions were performed and resulted in a spate of blog posts on the P&P2005 blog interviewing various cast members and generally publicizing the movie.
We did post about the film on AustenBlog at the time, as word got out around the Internets and we had several people write to us in a high state of excitement, thinking this was a legitimate production. However, the whole thing with the “Keira Knightley” Twitter account, and the involvement with it by the producer/writer/director of the film, and the fact that the Twitter account had been allowed to lie fallow from April 2010 until very recently (conveniently, perhaps, just in time to help publicize this new film)–well, if we were a nasty cynical suspicious type of person (who, us?), we might think that’s more than just a coincidence. And if there is some connection there, we’re sure our Gentle Readers will give this production the attention it deserves.
AustenBlog 
As it is more than hinted in this entry, Keira Knightley definitely does not have a twitter account.
This whole line of promotion is entirely dubious and the only question is how many of the people involved are being dishonest and how many have themselves been duped.
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It sounds as if someone has a very active fantasy life; and there’s nothing wrong with that–until it results in something like this….
If dear “Keira” really found this script funny and worthwhile, I fear for her career.
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What a huge load of codswallop!
The interview with the director/writer/producer/lamebrain was hilarious! “I met Keira in person and was able to ask her a few questions.” It’s just sad. With the magic of social networking, do you really need to create and maintain a fake Keira Knightley twitter page so people will watch your low budget adaptation? Can’t you make a website and send out the link to the thousands of P&P websites?
And in the interview, the director/writer/etc mentions that she had it go straight to DVD because it will “do better.” Read: No legitimate studio would pick it up for theatrical distribution.
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Because I blog about current Austenonian events, I felt obligated to give this modern P&P adaptation a mention. But seeing is believing, and I ain’t seen nothin’ yet that tells me if this so-called adaptation will be good or not.
Scents and Sensibility has a similar smell, but at least some of the actors are recognizable. I imagine that this Mormon-backed production will have a similar lite feel as Pride and Prejudice: A Latter-Day comedy.
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If they keep up a pretense, they might find themselves meeting Knightley’s lawyers.
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At least we can be relieved it’s going staright to DVD, and might escape the scrutiny which a JA adaptation brings.
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