As one Seth Grahame-Smith adaptation is mired in development hell, another is shaping up nicely!
Variety is reporting that Benjamin Walker (seen right) will headline Timur Bekmambetov’s adaptation of ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER, which is quite a coup when you consider the heavyweight names bandied about for the role in the past (Eric Bana, Adrien Brody, Timothy Olyphant, Josh Lucas, etc.)
As E-to-the-Dub pointed out two weeks ago, Walker had somewhat of an experiential advantage, having performed in “Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson” both on and off Broadway. Still, playing Honest Abe is quite a tall ask!
With a June 22nd, 2012 release date, AL:VH will be scripted by Grahame himself. The film will be shot in 3D.
Here’s the synopsis:
When Abraham Lincoln was nine years old, his mother died from an ailment called the “milk sickness.” Only later did he learn that his mother’s deadly affliction was actually the work of a local vampire, seeking to collect a debt owed by Lincoln’s father. When Abe learned the truth, he vowed revenge and kept one passion hidden throughout his life: the brutal elimination of all vampires. His valiant, bloody fight against the undead was all but lost to history, until Grahame-Smith stumbled upon the secret journal of Abraham Lincoln.
Using the journal as his guide, Seth reconstructs Lincoln’s life story and uncovers the role vampires played in the birth, growth, and near-death of our nation. You don’t know Abe. Honest.
Alright, so what’s the reaction? You like the casting decision? Think Walker has what it takes to be a Lincoln? Or do you not know enough about the cat to form an opinion?
ABRAHAM LINCOLN: VAMPIRE HUNTER stakes theaters June 22nd, 2012.