Blacula is back, baby! Variety has reported that MGM, Bron, and Hidden Empire Film Group are teaming up for a reboot of the classic blaxploitation horror film. Set to be directed by Deon Taylor, who also co-wrote the script with Micah Ranum, Blacula will be a modern reimagining of the original 1972 movie set in a metropolitan city post-coronavirus pandemic.
"Blacula is an ancient African prince who is cursed by Dracula after he fails to agree to end the slave trade," reads the official description. "Blacula is entombed and awakens 200 years later ready to avenge the death of his ancestors and of those responsible for robbing his people of their work, culture and heritage as they appropriated it for profit." The original film starred the great William Marshall in the title role, and the film would go on to become one of the highest-grossing movies of the year. Its success would inspire the development of other blaxploitation horror films, including Blackenstein, but the original only spawned one sequel, Scream Blacula Scream, which found Marshall reprising his role of the undead prince.
"'Blacula' is arguably one of the most prestigious Black franchises and so important to the culture as it birthed a groundswell of Blaxploitation-horror films, which changed the game for how our people were seen on the big screen," Deon Taylor said in a statement. "Growing up in Gary, IN, I loved watching ‘Blacula’ and was so proud that William Marshall was a fellow Gary native. It’s mind-blowing that this franchise never got the energy or appreciation that other genre films received over the years, but this reboot is about to change all that. Thank you to Aaron, Brenda and team Bron as well as everyone at MGM for joining us on this adventure. We promise to bring new life to the iconic ‘Blacula’ character that will resonate with audiences worldwide!"