The Brad Pitt vampire movie sequel flop, “Queen of the Damned,” followed the immense popularity of “Interview with the Vampire,” featuring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Despite high expectations after the earlier film’s bonding of the two A-listers, the sequel with Stuart Townsend and Aaliyah failed to gain critical or commercial success, unlike its predecessor.
Sequel Lacks Lead Stars and Struggles with Reception
After forming a notable friendship during the filming of “Interview with the Vampire,” Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt did not return for a sequel. Instead, director Michael Rymer cast Stuart Townsend as Lestat and Aaliyah as the immortal Queen Akasha, marking her last film role before her tragic death in a plane crash. The absence of Cruise and Pitt, both pivotal in the original’s success, set a different tone for the sequel.
Based on Anne Rice’s “The Vampire Chronicles,” the original film was praised, scoring 63% on Rotten Tomatoes and earning over $223 million worldwide from a $60 million budget. It even picked up two Oscar nominations, securing its place as a major box office winner and winning the admiration of fans and critics. Antonio Banderas, Neil Jordan, and other key figures contributed to the atmosphere and gravitas of the first movie, elements that critics felt were missing from the follow-up.
“Queen of the Damned,” released in the early 2000s, shifted its focus and adapted elements from another Rice novel, “The Vampire Lestat.” This new installment brought new faces with Stuart Townsend taking over Lestat and Matthew Newton joining the cast in place of Antonio Banderas. Aaliyah’s performance as Akasha, the first vampire and menacing queen, was considered a unique highlight, but was ultimately overshadowed by the film’s broader shortcomings.
The movie attempted to contemporize Lestat, having him front a rock band and attracting the attention of a dedicated researcher. Despite these potentially intriguing plot points, many viewers and critics found the depiction of Akasha lacking depth, as significant aspects of her history and character development from Anne Rice’s books were omitted.
Reviews were unkind, with some calling the film “goofy and campy” and criticizing its style. According to Rotten Tomatoes’ consensus, it was an
MTV-styled vampire movie with lots of eye candy and bad accents.
—Critical consensus, Rotten Tomatoes. This assessment reflected broader disappointment, as the film received only a 17% rating. Financially, the movie grossed $45.4 million, slightly above its $35 million budget, but this was considered underwhelming, especially compared to the original’s performance.
Anne Rice Reacts and Legacy of the Sequel’s Failure
Anne Rice, whose novels inspired the films, initially expressed approval for the direction of “Queen of the Damned” but later retracted her support. By 2003, after witnessing the film’s limited success and the reaction from her loyal readers, Rice publicly disavowed the project and addressed fans directly. She commented on her sense of personal loss regarding how her story had been handled, urging readers to move on and forget this adaptation.
Her criticism added to the film’s negative reputation, cementing it as a rare misstep in the adaptation of her otherwise well-loved novels. The lackluster reception also discouraged further sequels, at least in the direct cinematic lineage started by “Interview with the Vampire.”
The Bond Between Cruise and Pitt Remains Strong
Meanwhile, the professional and personal relationship between Brad Pitt and Tom Cruise persisted despite earlier rumors of rivalry or tension. Recently, Pitt’s film “F1” held a premiere at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Tom Cruise attended the London premiere for the same film, making time to be photographed alongside Pitt. Their friendly interaction at the event reiterated that any past rumors of a feud were unfounded and their friendship has lasted for decades.
Pitt spoke warmly about Cruise’s support during a conversation with E! News, describing Cruise’s admiration for “F1” as very sweet. Pitt also reminisced about the times they shared during their early collaborations, particularly their friendly competitions off-set. He explained,
We did have our go-kart days. Back in the ’90s, early ’90s.
—Brad Pitt, Actor. When asked about who had the upper hand in those races, Pitt reflected honestly,
He got me in the end. I gotta tell you. I gotta admit.
—Brad Pitt, Actor.
Tom Cruise, reflecting on their history together, fondly remembered their off-set activities and praised Pitt’s driving skills, saying,
Brad’s got a new movie, Formula 1, with Jerry Bruckheimer, Joe Kosinski. I can’t wait to see that this summer. It’ll be awesome. It’s great to see Brad driving. He’s very good. He’s a very good driver. Believe me, I’ve raced against him. When we were doing Interview with the Vampire, we’d go and race go-karts. We’d literally finish and go drive go-karts all night.
—Tom Cruise, Actor.
During the same E! News interview, Pitt was questioned about the prospect of once again teaming up with Cruise in a future project. He humorously stated that he would reconsider only if Cruise agreed to more “grounded” stunts, saying,
hang my a** off airplanes and sh*t like that
—Brad Pitt, Actor, before joking that he’d be on board for a collaboration that kept things terrestrial rather than aerial.
Continuing Success in Their Careers Despite Sequel’s Setback
Even with the Brad Pitt vampire movie sequel flop hanging in cinematic history, both actors have continued to thrive in Hollywood. Pitt’s upcoming film “F1,” produced by Hollywood heavyweights Jerry Bruckheimer and Joe Kosinski, is set for release in United States theaters on June 27, 2025, drawing attention from fans and media alike. The camaraderie and mutual respect between Pitt and Cruise, built during their work on “Interview with the Vampire,” remains a reminder of what strong collaborations can bring to the screen, even if subsequent sequels could not replicate that magic.
The legacy of “Queen of the Damned” provides an example of how the absence of original stars, deviation from source material, and creative changes can challenge the success of even the most anticipated follow-ups. The film’s reception shaped not just how Anne Rice adaptations are approached, but served as a cautionary tale for future sequels within the vampire genre. Despite its shortcomings, the story continues to interest fans who look back on both its ambition and its dramatic fall from the original’s acclaim.
