One day after becoming the first Asian woman to receive a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director,NomadlandhelmerChloe Zhaohas signed on to write and direct a newDraculamovie for Universal Pictures that features a tonal twist on the classic monster.
According tothe Hollywood Reporter, which broke the news, this new iteration ofDraculawill be an original, futuristic sci-fi Western. Zhao will also produce the movie via her Highwayman banner.
This year marks the 90th anniversary of the Universal’s originalDraculamovie, which starredBela Lugosias the famed vampire, and was directed byTod Browning. That timeless classic is a far cry from the studio’s lastDraculaouting, 2014’sDracula Untold, which boasts a measly 25 percent fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes, though the film did gross a surprising $217 million worldwide despite its obvious lack of quality.
Per THR, Zhao’sDraculais expected to find the character either living on or feasting on the fringes of society – an area Zhao seems most comfortable working, as her acclaimed dramaNomadlandfindsFrances McDormandliving in a van among a nomad community. Basically, don’t expect the typical vampire iconography in this film. Who knows, maybe Dracula will be living in a van with the windows blacked out…
“I’ve always been fascinated by vampires and the concept of the Other they embody. I’m very excited to work with Donna [Langley], Peter [Cramer] and the team at Universal to reimagine such a beloved character,” Zhao told THR.
“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,” added Universal presidentPeter Cramer.
Nomadlandearned four Golden Globe nominations on Wednesday, including Best Picture (drama), Best Director and Best Screenplay for Zhao. It also won the top prize at both the Venice Film Festival (the Golden Lion) and the Toronto International Film Festival (the People’s Choice Award) – a first, mind you – and the film was named Best Picture by the National Society of Film Critics and the Gotham Awards.
Zhao has already wrapped her next movie –Marvel’s star-studdedEternals, which is scheduled to hit theaters on Jun 16, 2025. It’s the director’s first big-budget project, and one that should prepare her for the pressure that comes with directing a Dracula movie. She’s the latest to join Universal’s roster of directors working on the studio’s next generation of monster movies, a list that also includesJames Wan,Paul Feig,Dexter FletcherandElizabeth Banks, as well asPhil LordandChris Miller. Meanwhile,Karyn Kusama(The Invitation) isalso working on a Dracula moviefor Blumhouse, so I suppose the race is on!
