In the initial glimpse of director Luc Besson’s upcoming movie titled “Dracula: A Love Story“, we get to see Caleb Landry Jones embodying the title character, Count Dracula. Notably recognized for his role as Sean Cassidy (a.k.a. Banshee) in “X-Men: First Class“, Jones is now assuming the role of the legendary vampire. This film offers a fresh perspective on Bram Stoker’s classic gothic horror novel, Dracula, with Jones’ portrayal depicting a character born from deep sorrow, who has spent centuries searching for his reborn lover. Besson’s adaptation is set to offer a visually unique take on the Dracula mythos, focusing on the tragic romance and the prince’s prolonged suffering throughout the centuries, with the narrative moving to Belle Époque Paris. The film also signifies a reunion between Besson and Jones, following their collaboration in the 2023 film “Dogman“.
As a passionate cinephile, I’ve been eagerly anticipating the trailer for “Dracula: A Love Tale.” It masterfully portrays Prince Vladimir’s (Caleb Landry Jones) heart-wrenching transformation into an immortal vampire, a tale of sorrow born from his devastating loss in the 15th century. This loss led him to abandon faith and face eternal condemnation. The trailer offers glimpses of medieval despair that starkly contrast with the grandeur of 19th-century Paris, emphasizing Dracula’s lonely odyssey through time. Moreover, it hints at his centuries-long quest for his lost love, implying he sees her reincarnation in this modern era. Yet, this potential reunion is shrouded in fear, as it appears that his presence could bring more despair than hope to the one he yearns for, establishing a central tragic struggle.
Read Next
The teaser reveals Caleb Landry Jones portraying a unique version of Dracula, fueled by a strong longing for companionship rather than the typical monstrous depiction. Additionally, it offers brief glimpses of Christoph Waltz as a religious figure, Matilda De Angelis as Maria, and Zoë Bleu as Elisabeta, a woman who has been lost and continues to haunt Dracula’s memory. Luc Besson, the director and screenwriter, expressed his enthusiasm for this timeless story due to his appreciation for Caleb Landry Jones’s acting talents and his eagerness to work with him again. Besson shared with Deadline that his main interest in telling this story revolves around Caleb Landry Jones, saying, “It’s not Dracula, my fascination is Caleb.” He also explained how the idea for the project came about: “We were discussing other roles that would suit him. I said, ‘You’d be fantastic as Dracula.’ Then, I thought, ‘I might just write it.’
It’s Been a Busy Couple of Years for Dracula
In the cinematic world, Luc Besson’s film Dracula: A Love Story is poised to offer a fresh take on the iconic character of Dracula, with Caleb Landry Jones delivering a captivating performance. However, it enters a landscape that has been filled with numerous recent interpretations of the vampire and associated lore. Since Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel, Dracula has been a persistent figure in popular culture, inspiring filmmakers to delve into his dark charm and tragic life. This ongoing fascination means any new adaptation needs a unique voice to make an impact among the increasing number of vampire tales. The task for Dracula: A Love Story is to create its own distinctive space in a market that has seen multiple prominent vampire projects leading up to its release, each offering a fresh perspective on the familiar narrative.
Over the past few years, there has been a noticeable surge in the number of Dracula and vampire-related stories on screen. In 2023, moviegoers were treated to films like “The Last Voyage of the Demeter,” a supernatural horror film that delved into the “Captain’s Log” chapter from Bram Stoker’s novel, detailing the ill-fated journey of the ship. The same year also saw the release of “Renfield,” a horror-comedy that offered a unique twist by focusing on Dracula’s long-suffering servant, and “El Conde,” a Chilean black comedy where dictator Augusto Pinochet was portrayed as an aging vampire. The following year in 2024 saw the debut of Robert Eggers’ critically acclaimed “Nosferatu,” a remake of the 1922 silent classic, which itself was an unauthorized adaptation of “Dracula.” Bill Skarsgård starred as the chilling Count Orlok in this film alongside Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp. To stand out among these numerous and often praised predecessors, Luc Besson’s upcoming film, with its focus on a “love tale” and 19th-century Parisian setting, will need to rely on its unique artistic vision and Jones’s captivating central performance.
The romantic take on “Dracula” is set to hit French movie theaters on July 30th, but a release plan for U.S. audiences remains undecided at this time.
https://comicbook.com/movies/news/7-underrated-vampire-movies-youve-probably-forgotten-about/embed/#
Read More
2025-06-12 11:09