Van Helsing Reboot To Be "As Scary As Possible"
The big push to reboot a number of iconic monster classics by Universal means Van Helsing will get another shot too, and it's going in for more horror.
It will be less action adventure in tone, like 2004's Van Helsing starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale, and more about being a vulnerable human up against the terrifying power of supernatural creatures. The first of the big monster reboots is The Mummy this summer, starring Tom Cruise.
"I don’t know what it’s going to look like at the end of the process, so I’m gonna withhold on commenting on really where it lands. I can say that my intent stepping in was to make it as scary as possible, partly because I know how to do that, and also because when you’re the only human surrounded by a bunch of supernatural creatures, that’s gotta be absolutely unnerving," Eric Heisserer said of the new Van Helsing.
One thing that is for certain is Van Helsing being a lot more human and less of an action-hero type, forsaking any 'superhuman' qualities as he wants to 'buck the trend' of superheros being the only ones to solve big problems these days - an obvious nod to Marvel and DC Comics recent successes.
"I can talk about my emotional state of what I’ve been passionate about or sometimes frustrated by are the number of films where we find an extraordinary character with superhuman abilities that becomes a hero to solve a problem that a normal person cannot solve. And I was eager to try and buck that trend and showcase someone who had no extraordinary powers, just resourcefulness and will and kind of a stubbornness who’s able to tackle some of these bigger problems."
"Because I don’t like the idea that we’re infusing our public and our pop culture with the idea that only super people can solve the world’s problems. I like the idea of the everyday hero stepping up to the plate and getting things fixed," continued Heisserer.
Van Helsing currently has no release schedule but much like The Mummy it will be taking place in a contemporary setting.
