Zhao will write, direct and produce through her production company, Highwayman.
However, this new Dracula project will be far from the more traditional or even modern incarnations over the years. Details are preserved in the coffin, but Zhao’s version is described as an original, futuristic, scientific western. Themes to be on the fringes of society, something that Zhao tackled in her previous work, will follow through the veins of the project.
“Chloé’s simple lens shines a light on stories of the overlooked and misunderstood,” says Peter Cramer, president of Universal Pictures. “We’re delighted to work with her while portraying one of the most iconic outsider characters ever.”
Zhao stated: “I have always been fascinated by vampires and the concept of the others they embody. I am very excited to work with Donna, Peter and the Universal team to re-introduce such a beloved character. “
Zhao’s Dracula recording comes as the character sharpens his fangs to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Universal’s classic direction by Tod Browning with Bela Lugosi.
And this is the latest project being injected into Universal’s lair, which houses the development that builds on the great monsters of the film’s heritage. The studio reoriented its development a few years ago for a more filmmaker-driven approach to more out-of-the-box thinking that is not linked to a shared story universe. The success of last year Transparent man was a fruit of that labor. Among the talent working on sample projects are Dexter Fletcher, Paul Feig, James Wan, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Miller and Phil Lord.
Zhao’s latest movie, Nomadland, examines those who live outside the confines of society in the vast landscape of the American West and plays Frances McDormand. It is also one of the most acclaimed films of 2020, and Zhao one of the most pursued filmmakers.
On Wednesday, the film received four Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture (Drama), Best Screenplay and Best Director, and Zhao is the first Asian woman to receive a Golden Globe Direction nomination.
Formerly, Nomadland won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival and the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, the first film ever to win the top prize at both festivals.
In addition, the film won the Best Picture and Audience Award at the Gotham Awards and the Best Picture of the National Society of Film Critics. Zhao has won Best Director Awards from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, National Society of Film Critics, New York Film Critics Circle and San Francisco Film Critics Circle, as well as numerous accolades for her film editing and screenplay adaptation.
Universal may have claimed Zhao’s first project since the awarding of Nomadland hit, but the Dracula effort will not be her first studio or big-budget function, as she is currently post-producing on Eternal for Marvel Studios. The movie currently has a release date of November 5th.
Zhao is repeated by Ilene Feldman Management, Simon Faber at Pangea, and lawyer Linda Lichter.