Seems that we’re about to get a very definitive answer to our recent feature article Dracula: Is He Dead and Buried? (read it here, it’s ace) with the news that, just days after Warner Bros. announced HARKER, another movie based on Bram Stoker’s creation is in the works and heading to our multiplexes…

Universal Pictures have resurrected their long-in-development project DRACULA YEAR ZERO, and have tasked Gary Shore to replace previous director Alex Proyas (DARK CITY; THE CROW) to helm. For those asking ‘Gary who?’, you’re forgiven, as this will mark his feature film debut, though his short action film THE CUP OF TEARS received huge acclaim some years back, and is currently being adapted for the big screen itself.

Writers Matt Sazama & Buck Sharpless have been brought back onboard (they were originally attached to the project in early 2010), with their mission statement no doubt to get the budget brought down considerably (reportedly the reason Universal pulled the plug in the first place). Those asking ‘Matt & Buck who?’ are also forgiven, as they don’t seem to have had much luck getting any of their gigs to screen, despite being involved in such high profile fare as a new live-action FLASH GORDON and video-game adaptation MISSLE COMMAND. Yes. MISSLE COMMAND. That said, between YEAR ZERO and the not at all vague UNTITLED MATT SAZAMA & BUCK SHARPLESS PROJECT listed on IMDb, things might be looking up for the duo.

As for the story, DRACULA YEAR ZERO, as the title suggests, will delve into the origin of Papa Vamp, all the way back to his Vlad the Impaler days.

AVATAR star Sam Worthington was at one time pegged for the lead, but before anybody starts to panic, that doesn’t appear to be the case anymore. 

We’ll have more on this as it develops…

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