News
Yet Another “Dracula” Adaptation Going to Series
Nick Wechsler and Scanbox’s Joni Sighvatsson have joined forces to produce “Dracula Now,” a contemporary Gothic drama series adapted from an edgier, more political reworking of Bram Stoker’s classic horror novel, reports Variety.
“Dracula Now” is based on “Powers of Darkness” (“Makt Myrkranna”), a reworking of Stoker’s “Dracula” by Icelandic writer Valdimar Ásmundsson in 1900, just a few years after the original novel appeared. “Powers of Darkness” has just been translated into English by Hans de Roos, in an annotated edition featuring a preface by Dacre Stoker (the great-grand nephew of Bram Stoker) and an afterword by vampire and horror scholar John E. Browning.
The 10-episode TV series will transpose the action to present times and emphasize the political dimension of the novel. In the series, Dracula will be a seductive, manipulative megalomaniac from Transylvania on a ruthless quest to conquer Europe.
” ‘Dracula Now’ will be an allegory of what’s happening today in the U.S., in the U.K. and in France,” said Sighvatsson, who is based in Los Angeles and heads up Scanbox with Thor Sigurjonsson and Chris Briggs. “It won’t be like a ‘Dracula’ spinoff because there’s no need for that. ‘Dracula Now’ will explore the idea of Dracula as a dictator forging a reign of blood to control people in today’s world.”
Icelandic screenwriter Otto Geir Borg, who previously penned the 2010 film “Undercurrent” (“Brim”), which earned six Edda awards (Iceland’s equivalent to the Oscars), is writing the English-language series.
All of us here at Bloody Disgusting are deeply sad to learn that The Blob director Chuck Russell has passed away at 74 years old.
Russell’s career began with his directorial debut, 1987’s A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors.
The multihyphenate film director, screenwriter, and producer is best known for helming 1994 comedy The Mask starring Jim Carrey, Arnold Schwarzenegger actioner Eraser, and adventure spinoff The Scorpion King. The latter served as the first leading role for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson.
The filmmaker left an indelible mark on horror with his ANOES sequel, 1988’s The Blob, and 2000’s Bless the Child.
Russell’s final film credit is 2024’s Witchboard remake starring Madison Iseman (I Know What You Did Last Summer), Aaron Dominguez (Only Murders in the Building), and Jamie Campbell Bower (“Stranger Things”).
It marked Russell’s return to horror after a lengthy hiatus, and he shared sequel hopes to Bloody Disgusting in an interview ahead of the remake’s release: “I got to design the board with real mystical symbols and things that I know represent good and evil, and where that board takes us if the audiences respond to the film, and I hope they will; I know it’s out there for you guys, but the sequel is a world we’ll get to go a little further. That’s sure the intention.”
He also recently expressed interest in returning to the franchise that began his career.
TMZ notes that Russell passed away at his San Diego-area home.
We send our deepest condolences to Chuck Russell’s family, friends, and fans.
Director, Co-Writer & Producer Chuck Russell behind the scenes of the horror film, WITCHBOARD. Photo courtesy of The Avenue and Atlas Distribution
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