Universal’s Dark Universe might have tripped spectacularly over its own feet with 2017’s The Mummy, but the studio’s recent pivot is only gaining steam. Next up on the slab is a monster movie focused on Dracula’s zoophagous henchman, Renfield.
In Bram Stoker’s original 1897 novel, R.M. Renfield was locked up in a lunatic asylum overseen by Dr. Seward. Obsessed with obtaining the life force of other living creatures, Renfield would eat flies, moths, spiders, and birds, which he believed the Count was sending him. He was memorably played by Dwight Frye in Tod Browning’s 1931 film Dracula, although that adaptation conflated the characters of Renfield and Jonathan Harker.
Universal’s new movie, simply titled Renfield, will be directed by Dexter Fletcher (Rocketman) and written by Ryan Ridley (Rick and Morty), based on an original pitch from Robert Kirkman (The Walking Dead). While we don’t know much about the plot just yet, the film will supposedly take place during the present day.
This isn’t the only classic tale that Universal is in the process of reanimating. The studio is also working on a James Wan-produced reboot of Frankenstein, as well as Dark Army, a monster movie from Paul Feig. In the meantime, Leigh Whannell’s fresh take on The Invisible Man will be released in 2020.
Words: Samantha McLaren (@themeatispeople)
