Van Helsing

By: Corona's Coming Attractions
Date: Monday, August 02, 2004

Genre:
Action/Horror.

Studio:
Universal Pictures.

Production Company:
The Sommers Company/Carpathian Pictures/Stillking Pictures/Universal Pictures.

Project Phase:
In the Can.

Who's In It:
Hugh Jackman (Gabriel Van Helsing); Richard Roxburgh (Dracula); Kate Beckinsale (Anna Valerious); Shuler Hensley (Frankenstein's Monster); Will Kemp (Velkan); Kevin O'Connor (Igor); David Wenham (Carl); Elena Anaya (Aleera); Silvia Colloca (Verona); Josie Maran (Marishka); Samuel West (Dr. Victor Frakenstein).

Who's Making It:
Stephen Sommers (Director, Screenwriter); Bob Ducsay, Stephen Sommers (Producers); Sam Mercer (Executive Producer); Allen Daviau (Director of Photography); Bob Ducsay (Editor); Allan Cameron (Production Designer); Gabriella Pescucci (Costume Designer); Industrial Light & Magic (Special Visual Effects); Scott Squires, Ben Snow (Special Visual Effects Supervisors); Alan Silvestri (Musical Score).

Premise:
The fearless vampire killer Van Helsing must use all of his cunning and skill if he is to survive his final battle with Count Dracula as well as the Wolfman and Frankenstein's Monster.

Release Date:
May 7, 2004.

Comments:

If VAN HELSING is anything like Sommer's two MUMMY films, expect it to be a rollercoaster ride with cutting-edge special effects. We'll also bet that Hugh Jackman will be set to become a $20 million dollar superstar after the opening weekend of this picture.

Scoop Feedback:

March 27, 2003... When the spider changed its mind the monster hunter took its place. Columbia Pictures has announced that the release of its much-anticipated sequel to last year's SPIDER-MAN has been pushed back two months from May 7, 2004, and is now slotted for July 2/04.

Taking advantage of the shift in strategy was Universal Pictures.

When Columbia made its announcement, Universal leapt immediately and pushed up the release of VAN HELSING two weeks ahead of its initial target, from May 21 to May 7.

Columbia said that it moved the Spider sequel due to an unexpected delay in the start of that picture's principal photography. Star Tobey Maguire completed work in DreamWorks' SEABISCUIT film only last month, a month later than when Columbia thought he would be available for SM2. [Source: Variety, The Hollywood Reporter.]

April 14, 2003... Dark Horizons has uncovered never-before-seen conceptual artwork from Universal's VAN HELSING movie project. The website doesn't state where the artwork came from but the four images do give us a better look at what kind of atmosphere director/writer Stephen Sommers is going for.

Two of the pieces show the entrance to Frankenstein's castle, a looming foreboding structure if there ever was. Another piece of art shows the vampire hunter squaring off with batlike vampires (seen on the left), and the final piece shows the opening to Dracula's castle. It's neat stuff.

VAN HELSING has staked out a May 7, 2004 opening date. [Dark Horizons.]

June 5, 2003... The Latino Review website has published ten photos taken of a large exterior set from Stephen Sommers' VAN HELSING movie. The night scene seems to be taking place in the front of an imposing castle and while it's raining, telling us the action is happening at Castle Frankenstein. Co-star Kevin J. O'Connor (Igor) was spotted standing outside the castle walls and brandishing a double-bladed pitchfork while raindrops kept falling on his head.

VAN HELSING comes out on May 7, 2004.

June 20, 2003... The

latest issue of Entertainment Weekly presents the very first photo ever seen of Hugh Jackman as VAN HELSING. The long-haired vampire killer is also seen with his souped-up crossbow and wearing a black leather trenchcoat, two must-have fashion items for any monster killer.

Jackman's Landing was the first to get the EW photo scanned in and on the net.

October 23, 2003... According to a scooper on Ain't It Cool News, the teaser trailer for VAN HELSING will be attached to prints of THE MATRIX REVOLUTIONS, scheduled for release on November 7. This news comes from the annual NATO (North American Theater Owners) convention where previews of upcoming films are shown to theater owners.

AICN's informant also said that the first trailer for SPIDER-MAN 2 will come out in November, which matches up with what we reported last June. [Ain't It Cool News.]

December 1, 2003... Coming Soon has been sent a scan from an undisclosed magazine showing a new photo of Hugh Jackman's VAN HELSING as well as our first look at Kate Beckinsale's character, Anna.

The movie, directed by Stephen Sommers, is now in post-production and remains scheduled for release on May 7, 2004. Aside from the early production artwork showing the designs of the Wolf Man, Dracula in bat form and a silhouetted Frankenstein's Monster, no photographs of the monsters have been released to date. [Coming Soon.]

December 17, 2003... Empire Movies scored a nice treat for those of us waiting for more VAN HELSING imagery, namely a new promotional poster. Unlike earlier artwork, this one incorporates the likeness of star Hugh Jackman in the titular character.

Meanwhile, the Jackman's Landing website is reporting that we'll finally get to see a trailer for the film on January 16 with the film ALONG CAME POLLY. A strange choice. [Empire Movies, Jackman's Landing.]

December 22, 2003... In the past week we've seen trailers for SKY CAPTAIN AND THE WORLD OF TOMORROW, SON OF THE MASK, GARFIELD, THE CHRONICLES OF RIDDICK and one's about to come out for M. Night Shyamalan's THE VILLAGE later this week -- but where's the trailer for VAN HELSING? While Universal Pictures may be tardy in delivering the goods, the hombres at Latino Review have done the Uni boys a favor and unveiled the noirish poster design for VAN HELSING, giving that Hugh Jackman-starring picture a dose of much-needed love.

January 14, 2004... Multiple websites are now reporting that the trailer for VAN HELSING is finally almost here. According to the Will Kemp Centre Stage website and confirmed by Universal Pictures, the trailer will go live this Friday morning on the Apple trailer site. It will also run ahead of the new release ALONG CAME POLLY opening in theaters on the same day. [Will Kemp Centre Stage.]

January 15, 2004... We've been told the news by two scoopers that the syndicated daily entertainment shows ACCESS HOLLYWOOD and ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT will broadcast the trailer for Universal's VAN HELSING on tonight's broadcast. We checked the official website for the ACCESS HOLLYWOOD program but it's in the midst of being redesigned and thus doesn't say anything about what's on tonight's show.

However, over on the ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT website there's an article previewing a behind-the-scenes peek at the movie plus a mention that portions of the trailer will be broadcast on tonight's program.

If you miss either of the two programs, don't fear: the VAN HELSING trailer will be online tomorrow on the Apple trailer website.

UPDATE! The Trades website has a selection of screengrabs from the ENTERTAINMENT TONIGHT showing of the VAN HELSING trailer. If you can't wait for your local broadcast of ET, go hit 'em! [Anonymous.]

January 16, 2004... Apple's trailer website now has the first trailer for VAN HELSING available for download. Formatted in QuickTime and available in four different viewing sizes, it's your first real look at what the monsters (and heroes) in Stephen Sommers' action-adventure will look like come next May (May 7 to be precise.)

See VAN HELSING stake the competition! [Apple.]

February 1, 2004... Those people over at Apple's trailer website don't waste any time! With the clock running down at this year's Superbowl game, the trailer site has already posted the new commericial for VAN HELSING seen during the Superbowl broadcast. There are loads of new looks at the movie's three monsters (gosh, Dracula sure does have a big mouth) plus some looks at Van Helsing's snazzy weapontry.

Watch the commercial here! [Apple.com.]

February 15, 2004... Universal has sent us 19 new photos from VAN HELSING, writer/director Stephen Sommers take on the fearless vampire hunter, this time played by X-MEN's Hugh Jackman. Kate Beckinsale (UNDERWORLD), Richard Roxburgh (THE LEAGUE OF EXTRAORDINARY GENTLEMEN), David Wenham (THE LORD OF THE RINGS), Shuler Hensley and Will Kemp all star in this adventure which blasts into theaters on May 7.

As always, click on any one of our photos to see the larger version of it, and remember to check our page listing for VAN HELSING that lists the film's development and production history! [Universal Pictures.]

March 12, 2004... The first script review of Stephen Sommers' VAN HELSING film has gone online at Screenwriter's Voice. In their review, Screenwriter's Voice gives mixed marks to the screenplay, citing that "There's simply not an ounce of originality in the VAN HELSING script, and by the time it appears on movie screens this May, the only thing that will be fully developed is a lot of computer effects and money shots, a fully realized visual treat riding on the flimsiest of stories."

But it's not all a loss. The reviewer gives credit to the story's characters, particularly Sommers' vampire hunter. "He's not a super-hero, per-se, and he is venerable even while kicking ass. Van Helsing doesn't know who he is, and has no memory of his past, other than the assurance from Rome that he is meant to fight evil, a task for which he's provided with a lot of very cool weapons."

You can read the full report here at Screenwriter's Voice.

April 16, 2004 When VAN HELSING opens in theaters on May 7 another chapter in the vampire killer's life will also come out. Dark Horse Comics is publishing a one-issue VAN HELSING comic book that will serve as a de facto prequel to the events seen in Stephen Sommers' movie. Written by Joshua Dysart (VIOLENT MESSIAHS) and drawn by J. Alexander, the 22-page comic will tell the tale of Van Helsing's search for a deadly killer in Paris, a man who may be more of a monster than the authorities realize.

"Van Helsing is a 19th century hero, fighting the supernatural manifestations of chaos and evil," explains writer Joshua Dysart. "[Editor] Scott Allie and I knew we had to pack in as much classic cinema horror reference that 22 pages could stand if we were to remain true to the property, so that's how we approached the narrative. While the film uses virtually all of the classic Universal monsters, I was able incorporate some cool villains not seen in the film for the comic book."

Dark Horse's VAN HELSING comic book will cost $2.99. [Dark Horse Comics.]

May 3, 2004... Cast and crew listings have been updated.

After Its Release:

July 26, 2004... Universal Home Video will bring Stephen Sommers' VAN HELSING to home video on October 19, 2004. Considered the first movie of the 2004 summer season, VAN HELSING stars Hugh Jackman as the legendary monster hunter; Kate Beckinsale as Anna, his ally; Richard Roxburgh as Count Dracula; and David Wenham as Carl, Van Helsing's holy right-hand man.

Universal will be offering two different DVD editions of the film, with one being a limited Ultimate Collector's Edition that will include additional bonus material and the three classic Universal monster movies that inspired Sommers' film: DRACULA, FRANKENSTEIN and THE WOLF MAN.

Both VAN HELSING DVD editions will feature the following bonus material:

"Explore Dracula's Castle": take a 360-degree interactive tour of the forboding home of the Count.

"You Are in the Movie!": Experience what it was like to be on the set through the lens of minature cameras giving the actors' perspective on the filming of a scene.

"Bringing the Monsters to Life": See how Industrial Light & Magic developed the monsters from the movie, from initial sketches to realized form.

"The Legend of Van Helsing": A look at Bran Stoker's character through stories and films.

Commentaries with director Sommers, producer Bob Ducsay and actors Richard Roxburgh, Shuler Hensley and Will Kemp.

A look at the VAN HELSING Xbox video game.

Outtakes.

These additional bonus features will be included on the VAN HELSING Ultimate Collector's Edition DVD:

"Explore Frankenstein's Lab": Venture through Dr. Frankenstein's bizarre laboratory in a 360-degree interactive tour.

"Van Helsing: The Stort, the Life, the Legend": Short documentaries examine all of the characters from the movie.

"Track the Adventure: Van Helsing's Map": Unlock the secrets behind each locale that Van Helsing visited in the picture through this ancient monster map.

"The Music of Van Helsing"

"Darkness Falls: Dracula's Lair is Transformed": Time-lapse photography shows how Drecaula's coffin room is changed to his laboratory through this sequence.

Additionally, the VAN HELSING DVD will hold a coupon for $5.00 off any of Universal's six Monster Legacy Collections. The studio will promote the DVD through a partnership with Carl's Jr. restaurants and Pumpkin Masters, manufacturers of the Pumpkin Carving Kit.

The VAN HELSING DVD carries a suggested retail price of $29.98. A price for the Ultimate Collector's Edition will be released at a later date.

Official Web Site:

www.vanhelsing.net

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