Universal Developing VAN HELSING Remake With Producer James Wan and Director Julius Avery

Universal is rolling with the monster-movie library hits after the success of their reimagined The Invisible Man, this time with a brand new Van Helsing. The studio reported that they have hired Overlord director Julius Avery to helm the project, with James Wan (Saw, Aquaman) producing through his Atomic Monster banner. Michael Clear will also produce, and the company’s Judson Scott will serve as executive producer.

Deadline reports that the exact synopsis for the script is being kept under wraps, but the film is set in the world of the famous monster hunter, who first appeared in Bram Stroker’s novel Dracula. Avery also is rewriting the script, with Eric Pearson writing the original script. The report says that Universal is being very open to new takes on these classic stories, and are even willing to work with the rating scale, meaning this film could end up with an R rating, which is not something the studio was open to before.

I don’t care what the film ends up being rated, but I think the studio taking a more open approach to the vision of the filmmaker is the best way to go. If the writers and directors aren’t so bridled by how they’re allowed to tell the story, I think we will get a better story and movie in the end.

Are you looking forward to a new Van Helsing?