Although an animated prequel was made, a sequel and a television series were also in development.
One of the things that almost every film studio seeks is to develop a franchise that the public likes, that makes profits and that they can expand with sequels, ‘spin-offs’ and even television series. Universal Pictures wanted to do it a few years ago with classic monsters like Frankenstein and The invisible man. However, his plans to bring to the big screen what is baptized as Dark Universe was not possible after the failure of The Mummy (2017) starring Tom Cruise. But it was not his first attempt. They already wanted to do it in 2004.
Universal Pictures released in 2004 Van Helsing, a fantasy action film starring Hugh Jackman and Kate Beckinsale. The story followed the famous monster hunter facing off against Dracula. The studio was so convinced that the film was going to be a success that it launched the development of a sequel and a television series. But the criticism destroyed it, the box office did not do as well as they expected and plans to make a franchise were scrapped.
Van Helsing arrived after The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001), the saga starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz that did work for the studio. What’s more, Jackman’s film had Stephen Sommers as director, the same one behind the first two installments of the Fraser and Weisz saga.
Van Helsing It grossed about $300 million worldwide on a $160 million budget, but it wasn’t enough. It was said that she was “the worst summer blockbuster since Battlefield: Earth“.
Universal began developing the sequel before Van Helsing It was released in theaters, but it was never made. Some rumors suggested that the new installment was going to introduce the Monster of the Black Lagoon, The invisible man and the Frankenstin’s Bride.
Also beginning to be developed, a month before the film’s arrival on the billboards, was a fiction titled Transylvania and that it was going to debut on the chain NBC in 2004. But two weeks after the premiere of Van Helsingthe plans were cancelled.
THE PLAN THAT DID WORK: AN ANIMATION PREQUEL
The only thing that did become a reality is an animated short film titled Van Helsing: The London Assignment. This story tells the first meeting between the monster hunter and Mr. Hyde. The film was released on video days after the film hit theaters.
In addition to Jackman and Beckinsale, Van Helsing It featured David Wenham, Robbie Coltrane and Richard Roxburgh in its cast. It even had a Spanish presence with the signing of Elena Anaya as one of Dracula’s brides. Curiously, Beckinsale starred in another vampire film that did become a franchise with five installments: Underworld.
If you want to stay up to date and receive the premieres in your email, sign up for the SensaCine Newsletter
