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earthspirits
There's a new Dracula film coming out: "Dracula: A Love Tale" directed by Luc Besson, with Caleb Landry Jones as the titular character. Slated for a French release on July 30, 2025.
I've read some articles and also watched a couple of interviews with the director and star. Besson is basing his plot on Bram Stoker's novel, which he finds "romantic".
Most amusingly, the interviewers commented that Besson's Dracula is "unique" because the character is directly linked to the historical Vlad the Impaler, and the film's plot revolves around his romantic search for his wife Elisabeta's reincarnation. *eye roll*
Not sure if Besson actually believes this. He seems quite aware of Gary Oldman's portrayal in the 1992 Coppola film. And of course, there's been other romantic historic style Draculas (Luke Evens, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Jack Palance come to mind).
Most amusingly, the interviewers commented that Besson's Dracula is "unique" because the character is directly linked to the historical Vlad the Impaler, and the film's plot revolves around his romantic search for his wife Elisabeta's reincarnation. *eye roll*
Not sure if Besson actually believes this. He seems quite aware of Gary Oldman's portrayal in the 1992 Coppola film. And of course, there's been other romantic historic style Draculas (Luke Evens, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, and Jack Palance come to mind).
That said, I'm curious to see how this film will approach the classic story. It's a dual time-line plot, set in 15th Century Romania and in 19th Century Paris during the Belle Epoque.
Above is a pic of Besson and Jones in costume. I do like the design of his armor. I watched an interview of Jones on set. He was in another costume for the interview, a black vaguely medieval outfit. No idea what his costuming will be for the Parisian scenes.
Watching the interview with Jones, I couldn't really get a feel for how he's approaching Dracula. The actor is pleasant, but seems rather bland. Perhaps he's more dynamic in character. That said, I do like the idea of a Belle Epoque setting, which could be intriguing - especially if the Paris opera, ballet, and Montmartre's Impressionist arts scene were included. Of course, Besson may not go in that direction, but one can hope.
Above is a pic of Besson and Jones in costume. I do like the design of his armor. I watched an interview of Jones on set. He was in another costume for the interview, a black vaguely medieval outfit. No idea what his costuming will be for the Parisian scenes.
Watching the interview with Jones, I couldn't really get a feel for how he's approaching Dracula. The actor is pleasant, but seems rather bland. Perhaps he's more dynamic in character. That said, I do like the idea of a Belle Epoque setting, which could be intriguing - especially if the Paris opera, ballet, and Montmartre's Impressionist arts scene were included. Of course, Besson may not go in that direction, but one can hope.
