With Universal’s “Dark Universe” not being the smash hit they were hoping for, it looks as if Paramount wants to get in the game of classic horror creatures! According to sources, the studio is developing a prequel film about the Prince of Darkness titled ‘Dracul’ and they want Andy Muschietti to direct. After early buzz on his adaptation of ‘It‘ is so high it wouldn’t surprise me if quite a few movie projects are going to be pitched at him to tackle. As long as things move forward, the project will team Muschietti back up with producers Barbara Muschietti and Roy Lee.
For those unfamiliar with ‘Dracul’ it is kind of a big deal in horror circles and for fans of Dracula as it is the first prequel which the Bram Stoker estate has authorized! Penned by Dacre Stoker and J.D. Barker, this work takes place in 1868. We see a 21-year-old Bram Stoker who traps “an ungodly evil” in an ancient tower and is writing about the events which have befallen him.
While the deal isn’t fully finalized at this point, even if it comes together it would be quite some time before we would see it on the big screen. Muschietti has already stated that he will be doing the sequel to ‘It’ next and ‘Robotech‘ after. Not to mention the pilot episode of ‘Locke & Key’ which he’ll end up fitting in somewhere as well.
While this could prove to be exciting with who could be directing the film, Dacre Stoker had previously co-written a sequel to ‘Dracula’ with Ian Holt to strongly mixed reviews. However, if ‘Mama‘ and the trailers to ‘It’ are anything to go by it is clear that anything horror-related which Muschietti touches these days is going to be gold.
Are you excited that someone outside of Universal will not only be taking a look at a classic creature feature but that it will be through an official new twist on one of the properties?
