Universal found success with 2019's unexpected spin on The Invisible Man, and the studio seems to be taking a similar approach to its take on the Dracula mythos.
THR reports that Chris McKay (The Tomorrow War, The Lego Batman Movie) is in negotiations to direct Renfield, which will focus on the legendary vampire's deranged servant. McKay will also produce along with Skybound Entertainment’s Robert Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst and Sean Furst. Kirkman (The Walking Dead) penned the story outline.
In Bram Stoker's novel, R.M. Renfield was introduced as one of Dr. Seward's inmates before his backstory revealed that he was Dracula's attorney and Jonathan Harker's predecessor. Driven mad by the evil Count, Renfield became his willing acolyte, believing he would one day be given the gift of eternal life.
The character has appeared in most adaptations of the classic tale, and has been played by the likes of Dwight Frye in 1931's Dracula and Tom Waits in Francis Ford Coppola's 1992 version.
We don't know if this film will simply retell the story from Renfield's point of view or come up with a brand new premise, but expect Dracula to play a role in the proceedings one way or the other.
We recently found out that McKay's next film, The Tomorrow War, will be heading to Amazon Prime for a streaming debut later this year.