A new Dracula movie is in the works as part of Universal's Monsterverse
Kathryn Kusama will reportedly direct the film, after the studio was encouraged by the success of The Invisible Man
Universal is pushing ahead with plans for a new Dracula movie, with Jennifer’s Body and Destroyer director Karyn Kusama on board to helm the project.
The studio has reportedly been encouraged by the success of the recently released The Invisible Man and is hoping to further revive its classic monsters – after earlier plans for a new franchise had stalled following the failure of 2017’s The Mummy.
Blumhouse Productions will be behind the project. Some reports indicate that the film could yet be made at a studio other than Universal, given that Dracula is in the public domain, although this remains unlikely.
It is also understood that the new plan for a Monsterverse is very different from the original concept – with standalone, director-driven films being preferred to a vast interconnected universe in the vein of the MCU.
An unnamed producer reportedly told The Hollywood Reporter, “It's a 'best idea wins' approach and they are having the filmmakers find the individual stories.”
And an agent who is allegedly aware of Universal’s plans added, “They have multiple irons in the fire, but not all will become real.”
Directors including Paul Feig, Elizabeth Banks and John Krasinski are all reportedly in talks with the studio – although precisely which monsters they are hoping to bring to the screen remains to be seen.
There have been numerous takes on the Dracula story in recent years, including Universal’s own Dracula Untold in 2014, starring Luke Evans, and Steven Moffat and Mark Gatiss’ small screen version which aired on BBC One over the festive season.
It is not yet clear which actors are in the picture to star in the new Universal version, but the lead role will no doubt be a sought-after part.
