Luc Besson is set to join the likes of F.W. Murnau and Francis Ford Coppola by bringing his own take on Bram Stoker’s Dracula to the big-screen.
According to Deadline the Leon and Lucy director has already cast Caleb Landry Jones (Nitram) and Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained) in lead roles. The report states that Landry Jones will play the dark prince condemned to an eternal life, while Waltz’s character is yet to be revealed.
Besson’s take on the classic novel is said to have an origin story element to it, which explores the gothic romance between Prince Vladimir and his wife, whose tragic loss causes him to forsake God and become a vampire.
While the project is labelled as ‘big-budget’, it is unlikely to be anywhere near the amount Besson blew on 2017 science-fiction misfire Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, which cost a reported $180 million.
Landry Jones and Besson collaborated on the director’s previous film Dogman, which is set for a U.K. release this March.
There are currently multiple vampire vehicles in varying stages of development; Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu is out later this year, Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan are reteaming for a blood-sucking period piece over at Warner Bros., while Marvel are continuously delaying and reworking their Blade reboot. So is there room in the cinematic crypt for Luc Besson’s Dracula? Let us know by heading to our social channels @FlickeringMyth…
Originally published February 17, 2024. Updated February 18, 2024.
