Earlier this month, production began on Universal’sThe Mummyreboot, which will be the first full-fledged adventure in Universal’smonster universe. We got our first glimpse at this unique world in a post credit sequence for 2014’sDracula Untold, whereLuke Evans' title character is transported to present day. But, aside fromThe Mummy, we don’t know which project is next in this sprawling universe. One of the movies being included isVan Helsing, and today we have some new details from writerEric Heisserer.
Eric Heisserercame aboard to write the script alongsideThe MummywriterJon Spaihtsback in November, but the project still doesn’t have a director yet and there is very little we know about the story.Eric Heissererrecently spoke withHitfix, while promoting the new thrillerLights Out, which he co-wrote, where he revealed that this version ofVan Helsingwas inspired by another iconic character. Here’s what he had to say below.
“I can only say that early on, our inspiration for his behavior and his mannerisms was all inMad Max.”
Like all of the properties that will be rebooted within the Universal monster universe, there have been several different big screen iterations ofVan Helsing.Edward Van Sloanfirst portrayed the character in the original 1931Draculamovie, whilePeter Cushingplayed the iconic character in Hammer Films’Draculaseries for several years. The vampire hunter was also played byAnthony Hopkinsin 1992’sDracula,Mel Brooksin the comedy spoofDracula: Dead and Loving It,Christopher PlummerinDracula 2000andHugh Jackmanin Universal’s 2004Van Helsingmovie. While we still don’t know who will play the title character in thisVan Helsing remake,Eric Heissererteased that not all of the Universal reboots will have the same sort of tone.
“It’s early days right now. I can say that the decision that a lot of us made was to go and just write the best movie we could in our own corner and ensure it’s good on its own…and didn’t necessarily need to link arm-in arm-with anybody else. And to be tonally different from the other films. One may be a little bit more comedic, action-adventure-y, one can be very much a traditional horror piece. That kind of thing. And then we’ll see what happens as the projects evolve and we all get a chance to convene and talk, and make sure the movies feel like they’re all in the same world.”
Universal made headlines earlier this year when they brought onKingsman: The Secret ServiceandStar Trek BeyondstarSofia Boutellato play the title character in theirMummyreboot, the first time in franchise history that a female has played The Mummy. When asked if there is the possibility of a gender swap forVan Helsing,Eric Heisserermentioned that there is already a femaleVan Helsingin the works, on the small screen. Here’s what he had to say, when asked about a femaleVan Helsing.
“Well, I think you’re in luck. I think there’s a Syfy miniseries, or some sort of series, that comes out that has a femaleVan Helsing. So that should be interesting.”
Universal hasn’t set a release date for thisVan Helsingproject quite yet, and they don’t have a director attached quite yet either.Alex Kurtzmanwill produce alongsideRoberto OrciandChris Morgan, but it isn’t known when this project may move forward. Universal is also developing a number of other projects such asThe Invisible ManstarringJohnny Depp,The Wolf Man,DraculaandFrankenstein, among many others. Stay tuned for more onVan Helsingand the rest of this horror movie franchise.
