Following his breakout role as Wolverine in the first X-Men film, Hugh Jackman sought to build on that momentum by starring in another major franchise. This led him to headline 2004’s Van Helsing, a fantasy adventure directed by Stephen Sommers, known for the successful Mummy films. Despite its ambitious scope and promising cast, the movie struggled to meet expectations, a story worth revisiting ahead of the highly anticipated Guillermo del Toro Frankenstein adaptation.
The Rise and Fall of Van Helsing
Van Helsing reimagined the iconic vampire hunter as a swashbuckling hero equipped with steampunk weaponry, a stark departure from Bram Stoker’s traditional portrayals. Alongside Jackman, Kate Beckinsale starred, with the film showcasing classic monsters from Universal’s catalogue. The studio’s effort to launch a fresh franchise based on its legacy characters reflected an ongoing attempt to revive and monetize its horror heritage. Yet, while the film earned a respectable $300 million worldwide on a hefty $170 million budget, it failed to hit the break-even threshold when costs are accounted for.
Critical reception was harsh, with the movie earning only a 24% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The negative reviews and high expense dampened hopes for a sequel. Following Van Helsing, director Stephen Sommers notably moved on to launch the G.I. Joe franchise with 2009’s The Rise of Cobra but has not returned to a similarly large-scale project since. Meanwhile, Kate Beckinsale found lasting success with the Underworld series, and Hugh Jackman continued to portray Wolverine in multiple X-Men films.
Ongoing Adaptations of Classic Horror
Universal’s efforts to reinterpret classic horror continue to this day. Francis Ford Coppola’s 1992 Dracula film, featuring Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder, and Keanu Reeves, remains a cult favorite for its operatic style. More recently, Luc Besson is set to release Dracula: A Love Tale early next year in North America, while Romanian director Radu Jude’s comedy Dracula premiered at the Locarno Film Festival this year. The horror genre landscape is further enriched by upcoming adaptations of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. Among these is Guillermo del Toro’s faithful retelling, eagerly anticipated by fans, alongside Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride, a gangster movie-inspired take on the Frankenstein mythos.
This resurgence of interest in classic gothic tales underlines the enduring appeal of stories by Stoker and Shelley and highlights how studios continue to explore fresh angles for these timeless characters.
The Cast Behind Van Helsing
Hugh Jackman brought charisma and physicality to the role of the vampire hunter, attempting to blend adventure with horror. Kate Beckinsale provided strong support as one of the film’s lead characters, her performance helping anchor the film’s mix of action and fantasy elements. Despite their efforts, the overall reception reflected the film’s tonal inconsistencies and expensive production design rather than its performances.
Currently, Van Helsing is available to stream on Peacock, offering viewers a chance to revisit or discover this high-concept fantasy effort before Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein arrives.
