The lovable filmmaker Dexter Fletcher is set to tackle an adaptation of ‘Dracula’ story R.M. ‘Renfield’ for Universal Pictures‘ new revamped Monster universe.
‘Renfield’ is a fictional character that appears in Bram Stoker’s 1897 Gothic horror novel ‘Dracula’. He was an inmate at a lunatic asylum who was thought to be suffering from delusions which compel him to eat living creatures in the hope of obtaining their life-force for himself. It later turns out he is actually a servant of Dracula.
Plot details are currently unknown, though it’s believed to take place during the present day and is not a period piece.
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The original pitch came from ‘The Walking Dead’s’ Robert Kirkman.
After a disastrous start to the Dark Universe with the Tom Cruise led ‘The Mummy’, Universal dropped the idea and subsequently saw Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions take the gauntlet to push things forward with Leigh Whannell’s ‘The Invisible Man’. Paul Feig has also taken on the baton to deliver an original story in his ‘Dark Army’ movie. Feig recently opened up on his ideas for the film.
“Horror movies to me now represent slasher and that kind of thing, which I don’t enjoy at all. I loved those old movies like ‘Frankenstein.’ ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ is probably one of the greatest movies of all-time. I love that movie so much, and there are some things from that movie that I’m using in this new movie ‘Dark Army. But I really want to do a James Whale-ish, modern-day version of a monster movie that is about these characters. What I love about monsters is they’re outsiders, it’s just the most extreme version of outsiders. Frankenstein is one of the most sympathetic characters ever to be put on the screen, even though he does terrible things. He’s just looking for acceptance and love…I want to bring that ookie spooky feel back to movies, but with these monsters, you root for and understand at the same time.”
The film would be Dexter’s first entry into the genre after taking on both clean up duties on ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ and directing the Elton John biopic ‘Rocketman’. His previous directorial duties include ‘Eddie the Eagle’ ‘Sunshine on Leith’ and ‘Wild Bill’. He is currently working on the third movie of ‘Sherlock Holmes’ with Robert Downey Jr and Jude Law.
