DRACULA THE UN-DEAD MOVIE: SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT
To clear up all the misinformation regarding the movie version of the novel, I must begin by stating that the film rights, contrary to many erroneous stories online, have never been bought. They are still owned by Dacre and I.
Early in the process of developing the novel there was heavy interest from a number of well known filmmakers who wanted to attach themselves to the project in order to secure financing. Dacre and I NEVER signed any option agreements. We opted instead to give certain producers and directors verbal permission to go out and seek a deal.
As we we were continuing to write the novel, we began to have an inkling of how big this project could turn out to be. None of these independent deals that were brought in before the novel was sold lived up to Dacre and my expectations. Therefore we passed on them.
The novel was then sold for the biggest first time author deal in history, Dutton winning the US distribution. With a huge publicity budget and high media and fan buzz, we discovered we were correct in our assumptions. This, to our great luck, was going to be a huge project.
Once the novel editing process at Dutton was complete, the advanced readers copies printed and the amazingly positive early reviews rolling in, Dacre and I were finally ready to send our novel to the studios.
We are now in the process of negotiating with two major studios through a top production company as well as a well known independent production company. The most complicated part of these negotiations is the licensing and merchandising.
That’s it. The whole story. Don’t believe all the rumors and conjecture on line. You heard it here first. Expect some HUGE news on the Dracula The Un-Dead movie within the month. I promise you, there will be blood. ☺