We have more good news for Monster movie fans today, as Deadline is reporting that Universal Pictures is moving forward with a new take on Van Helsing. Aquaman and The Conjuring director James Wan is producing through his Atomic Monster banner, while a director has been found in Overlord's Julius Avery (he recently wrapped Samaritan starring Sylvester Stallone).
There's no word on plot details yet, but the trade notes that "the film is set in the world of the famous monster hunter." Hugh Jackman played the character on the big screen back in 2004, but the movie underperformed at the box office and Van Helsing has been sidelined ever since.
Now that an interconnected "Dark Universe" is no longer on the cards, Universal is said to be open to all sorts of different takes on these classic characters (Van Helsing started off as an enemy to Dracula).
Given Avery's track record, it's possible that we'll be getting a much darker take on Van Helsing with an R-Rating. Avery is currently in the process of rewriting the screenplay which was originally penned by Black Widow's Eric Pearson. It's hard not to be intrigued by what form Van Helsing could take, but it should be a lot of fun to see the vampire hunter back on the big screen after so many years.
We'll keep you updated as more details are revealed about this one.
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