Zhao will write, direct and produce through her production company Highwayman.
However, this new Dracula project will be a far cry from the more traditional or even modern incarnations created over the years. Details are preserved in the chest, but Zhao’s version is described as an original futuristic sci-fi western. Themes of being on the fringes of society, something Zhao addressed in her previous work, will run through the veins of the project.
“Chloé’s unique lens sheds light on stories of people being overlooked and misunderstood,” said Peter Cramer, president of Universal Pictures. “We are thrilled to work with her as she creates one of the most iconic outsiders ever.”
Zhao stated, “I’ve always been fascinated by vampires and the concept of the Other they embody. I’m very excited to be working with Donna, Peter and the Universal team to reinvent such a beloved character. “
Zhao’s Dracula take comes as the character sharpens his teeth to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Universal’s classic directed by Tod Browning and starring Bela Lugosi.
And it’s the latest project to be injected into Universal’s lair, which houses development that builds on the studio’s vast monsters of film and legacy. A few years ago, the studio refocused its development towards a more filmmaker-driven approach for more out-of-the-box thinking, not tied to a shared story universe. Last year’s success Invisible man was a fruit of that work. Talents working on monster projects include Dexter Fletcher, Paul Feig, James Wan, Elizabeth Banks, Chris Miller and Phil Lord.
Zhao’s latest movie, Nomadland, explores those who live beyond the confines of society in the vast landscape of the American West and plays Frances McDormand. It’s also one of the most acclaimed films of 2020, and Zhao one of the most haunted filmmakers.
On Wednesday, the film received four Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture (Drama), Best Screenplay, and Best Director. The latter makes Zhao the first Asian woman to receive a Golden Globe director nomination.
Earlier, 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 top prize at both festivals.
In addition, the film won the Best Feature Film and Audience Award at the Gotham Awards and Best Picture from 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 awards for her film adaptation and screenplay adaptation.
Universal may have filed a claim on Zhao’s first project since acclaim from Nomadland touch, but Dracula’s pursuit won’t be her first studio or movie on a big budget, as she is currently in post-production at Eternals for Marvel Studios. That movie currently has a release date of November 5.
Zhao is represented by Ilene Feldman Management, Simon Faber at Pangea and lawyer Linda Lichter.