"It" Director Andrés Muschietti To Potentially Helm Dracula Film Prequel

Paramount Pictures is in the process of developing a “Dracula” movie prequel, and it looks like “It” director Andrés Muschietti is the studio’s choice to bring the film to life. Muschietti is currently attached to two “It” films, with the first one set to premiere this week.
As for Muschietti, the horror movie maven is lined up to direct a live-action adaptation of the anime series “Robotech.” He’s also one of the frontrunners to direct Warner Bros.’ DCEU film “Justice League Dark.” And apart from the two “It” movies, Muschietti also has his eyes set on doing a remake of Stephen King’s “Pet Sematary.”

‘Dracul’: A Dracula Origin Story

According to Deadline, Paramount’s planned project will be largely based on “Dracul,” the first “Dracula” prequel that’s officially authorized by Bram Stoker’s estate. “Dracul” is written by Dacre Stoker (Bram Stoker’s descendant) and J.D. Barker and follows the story of a young adult Bram as he first encounters the demonic entity that went on to inspire his iconic “Dracula” novel in 1897. According to the story, Stoker was able to trap the demon in an ancient tower and then takes his time to write down his adventures in capturing it.
The rights to “Dracul” have been acquired by Paramount Pictures ahead of its official publication date. Barbara Muschietti and Roy Lee is set to produce the film.
Dracula’s on-screen history dates back all the way to 1922, in a silent film classic called “Nosferatu.” It was directed by F.W. Murnau. Bela Lugosi then played the character in the 1931 film “Dracula” directed by Tod Browning. Lugosi was then considered as the actor who was instantly identified with the role.

1992 saw the Dracula myth once again when Francis Ford Coppola did the Gothic horror romance film “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” starring Gary Oldman (The Dark Knight Trilogy) as the titular character. Dracula also showed up in the 2004 movie “Van Helsing,” as he went head to head with Hugh Jackman. The latest “Dracula” revival came out in 2014, through Luke Evan’s “Dracula Untold.”
It’s currently unknown if “Dracul” will be a part of Universal’s “Dark Universe.” It’s hard to predict if this is the case following the box office failure of Tom Cruise’s “The Mummy.” And with Paramount’s own take on “Dracula,” it’s sure to be a very interesting film, given how much Muschietti’s capabilities in the horror movie genre are immensely vast.