Then perhaps you are as jazzed as I am about the scheduled May 7, 2004, premiere of the forthcoming horror blockbuster flick Van Helsing. Hunkalicious thesp Hugh Jackman stars as vampire slayer Abraham Van Helsing in the latest by Stephen Sommers (The Mummy, The Mummy Returns). Filming for Van Helsing recently wrapped in Los Angeles (principal shooting took place earlier this year in Prague), and it looks like this will be one goose-pimply, action-packed movie. The story, in short: Badass Prof. Van Helsing kicks monster butt as the slayer takes on Dracula, the Frankenstein monster, and the Wolfman. This may not be what Bram Stoker had in mind all those years ago, but a mass audience won't care.
The draw, without doubt, is Jackman, the handsome Australian whose star is shooting upward rapidly, thanks to his varied performances in films including X-Men and its sequel X-2: X-Men United, romantic comedy Kate and Leopold, and the action thriller Swordfish. (Next up, he sings and dances as late entertainer Peter Allen on Broadway in The Boy from Oz.)
Notice how I've already referred to the actor/singer as "hunkalicious" and "handsome"? Expect to hear more of that during Van Helsing's sure-to-come media hype. Make no mistake, Jackman is indeed a gorgeous heartthrob and an exciting presence — good work, God! — but what really matters is that he is a skilled craftsperson and a gifted, intelligent actor. That bodes well for the quality of Van Helsing (or, at least for the quality of the performance of its star, and seeing him will be worth the price of a movie ticket, whatever happens). You can find more info on the film at the VH official site (soon; not much is up yet, but hey, the movie debuts 10 months from now) and at Amazon.com.
So, if you like scary movies, get ready. Mark my words: Van Helsing will be one of the biggest blockbusters of next summer. The eye candy — drool-worthy Jackman and lovely Kate Beckinsale — will be primo. The action and special effects should be top-notch. And hopefully, the film will be good too.
Article comments
1 - visualsimplicity
I wouldn't consider The Mummy or it's sequel to be horror films. I would categorize them as action films with a hint of comedy. Van Helsing seems to be following in the same footsteps from what I'm reading.
2 - Natalie
It may be, as far as Sommers' methods go, but everything I've read and heard describes the film as horror or action/horror. Guess we'll see next year.
3 - The Theory
i liked The Mummy/Returns, so this could be interesting.
peace.
4 - Bill Sherman
I'm with visualsimplicity: both of Sommers' Mummy pics were pulp action stories - with some horror elements thrown in. Nuthin' wrong with that, of course, but I'd contend that great horror films (ones that linger long after you've stopped watching 'em) are much more difficult to pull off than action pics . . .
5 - Natalie
I would not disagree with that.
6 - Eric Olsen
Nat, you are woman of many vibrant hues, you would make a great publicist (and I mean this in a good way). I am now chuckling affectionately under my breath.
7 - Natalie
Why, thank you!
I'm chuckling too, because my misspent youth includes time working in publicity.
8 - Eric Olsen
I thought I spotted well-crafted professional enthusiasm