Jon Spaihts and Eric Heisserer are writing the Van Helsing reboot

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Development on the Universal Monsters Cinematic Universe, which is being overseen by "narrative architects" Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan, is coming along a bit more slowly than I would have expected, which may be a good thing. The fact that they did some post-production tweaks on a movie that hadn't been intended to be part of the universe (DRACULA UNTOLD) to turn it into a prologue to the UMCU wasn't a very promising start to things in my eyes. What is promising is that they seem to want to have scripts in place for the rest of the monster reboots before they start rolling on any of them.

Jon Spaihts has written the script for THE MUMMY, which will be directed by Alex Kurtzman for a March 24, 2017 release. Fargo: The Series' Noah Hawley is writing one of the movies, Jeff Pinkner is scripting THE CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON, and Jay Basu, Ed Solomon, and Aaron Guzikowski are also working on scripts. 

Now it has been announced that Spaihts is teaming up with Eric Heisserer to write the film that will center on famous monster hunter VAN HELSING. While it's being said that where VAN HELSING will fit into the universe is "still being mapped out", one would assume that this would be the universe's version of THE AVENGERS, the film it all builds up to. An all-out monster mash.

Spaihts and Heisserer both have experience in the horror genre. In addition to writing THE MUMMY, Spaihts also worked on THE DARKEST HOUR and PROMETHEUS. Heisserer earned screenplay credits on the NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET remake, FINAL DESTINATION 5, and THE THING prequel.

At one point, Tom Cruise had been attached to star in this new version of VAN HELSING, but it doesn't sound like he's currently involved.