Although director Stephen Sommers’ 2004 take on Van Helsing (starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale) failed to win over audiences, Universal Pictures has, for some years, been keen on reexamining the story of Bram Stoker’s fictional monster hunter. Variety reports the studio has hired Jon Spaihts (Prometheus, Passengers) and Eric Heisserer (Final Destination 5, The Thing) to script their planned Van Helsing reboot. According to the trade, the plan is for the new film to tie to the planned Universal Monsters Cinematic Universe that will officially launch in 2017 with The Mummy.
Abraham Van Helsing was created in 1897 by Bram Stoker for his novel Dracula. The arch enemy of the undead count, Van Helsing was both a fount of occult knowledge and a fearless vampire slayer. Over the past century, the Van Helsing character has been reimagined time and again. As was the case with the 2004 film, Van Helsing is often depicted battling all manner of monsters. Just last week, it was announced that Syfy is planning their own television seriesbased on the character with plans to gender swap the good doctor as “Vanessa Helsing”.
Plans for the Van Helsing reboot began in 2012 when it was announced that Tom Cruise was attached to headline a new film to be scripted by the Star Trek and Transformers pair of Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. Although Cruise and Orci are no longer attached to the project, Kurtzman remains aboard the Van Helsing reboot as a producer.
Spaihts already has his foot in the door of the budding Universal Monsterverse. He scripted The Mummy, which has Kurtzman attached to helm. Said to be set in a contemporary setting, The Mummy is planned to hit theaters on March 24, 2017. After that, Universal has earmarked March 30, 2018 for a Monsterverse film. Will the Van Helsing reboot be the film that claims that date? Check back for updates as they become available.
