One of the first things I think of when I see footage of Hugh Jackman in the period drama The Death of Robin Hood (read our review here) is how his long, luscious locks remind me of his time as Van Helsing in Stephen Sommers’ 2004 supernatural fantasy flick. Then, a clip of JoBlo’s Jay Saint G comes across my desk, and he’s talking with Jackman, asking if he’d ever reprise his role as the classic monster hunter. Get out of my head, Jay!
Jackman on reprising his Van Helsing role
Recently, Jay sat down with Jackman and The Death of Robin Hood, Michael Sarnoski, and, in addition to asking about the duo’s new film, inquired as to whether Jackman would be game to return to the Van Helsing role, much like Brendan Fraser is for the upcoming sequel to The Mummy. At first, Jackman was surprised to learn that another Mummy movie with Fraser is in the works, then he said it’s been a while since anyone’s asked him about his Van Helsing movie. Regarding whether he’d reprise the role, Jackman, who seems up for just about anything, said, “Never say never,” about the likelihood of him hunting more vampires and Universal movie monsters in a sequel or reboot.
Remembering Van Helsing
In 2004’s Van Helsing, Jackman played Van Helsing, the fictional character created by Bram Stoker for his 1897 gothic horror novel Dracula, in a dark fantasy romp that slides nicely into the “Awfully Good” film category. In the film, the famed monster hunter is sent to Transylvania to stop Count Dracula, who is using Dr. Frankenstein’s research and a werewolf for nefarious purposes. Jackman leads the film alongside Kate Beckinsale as Anna Valerious. Van Helsing was unleashed in theaters one year after Beckinsale’s turn as Selene in Len Wiseman’s vampire epic Underworld, making the early 2000s a great time to be a fan of vampires and long leather coats.
While I don’t know if Jackman would ever reprise his Van Helsing role, it’s a fun concept to think about. Technology has come a long way since Sommers’ monster mash, and a revival/sequel starring Jackman as Van Helsing training the next great monster hunter could work. With so many other revivals popping up in Hollywood, “Never say never,” feels more possible than ever.
The comment section exists to allow readers to discuss the article constructively and respectfully, focused on the topic at hand.
What’s Not Allowed