Director Chloé Zhao, behind the Oscar-buzzy flick NOMADLAND and the upcoming Marvel blockbuster (like there’s any doubt it will be) ETERNALS, is set to bring us “an original, futuristic, sci-fi Western” version of DRACULA. And to that I must say, please and thank you, ma’am!
“Chloé’s singular lens shines a light on stories of the overlooked and misunderstood. We are thrilled to be working with her as she reimagines one of the most iconic outsider characters ever created.” So said president of Universal Pictures Peter Cramer. And Zhao herself had this to say: “I’ve always been fascinated by vampires and the concept of the Other they embody. I’m very excited to work with…Universal to reimagine such a beloved character.”
If you’re one of those folks, though, who would prefer a more straightforward take on cinema’s most iconic villain, fret not! The *other* new Dracula project, with Karyn Kusama directing, is still on, too! This latter will be a Blumhouse production. It may or may not go to Universal, but considering Universal’s record of working with Blumhouse—it was Blumhouse who saved the Dark Universe for Universal with their take on THE INVISIBLE MAN—it would be somewhat surprising if Universal let another studio get this one. Either way, we’re getting TWO new big Dracula projects!