Dan Mazeau to Write “Van Helsing” Movie for Universal’s Classic Monsters Universe (Exclusive)

Universal has hired Wrath of the Titans scribe Dan Mazeau to write the VAN HELSING reboot that is part of the studio’s classic monsters universe, the Tracking Board has exclusively learned.

As the architects of the universe, Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan will produce the film, though plot details remain under wraps somewhere in Transylvania.

Mazeau was part of Universal’s writers room for the monsters universe, which also included Noah Hawley (Legion), Aaron Guzikowski (Prisoners) and Ed Solomon (Men in Black). His hiring isn’t exactly recent, as Van Helsing has been Mazeau’s baby since as far back as September, but his involvement had never been reported until now.

Oscar nominee Eric Heisserer (Arrival) and Jon Spaihts (Doctor Strange) previously worked on Van Helsing. Spaihts also co-wrote The Mummy, the Tom Cruise movie that kicks off the new monsters universe this summer.

The character of Van Helsing first appeared in Bram Stoker’s Dracula as a vampire hunter, though he also chased Frankenstein and the Wolf Man in the 2004 movie starring Hugh Jackman. The Invisible Man, the Bride of Frankenstein and Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde are also rumored to play parts in Universal’s monsters universe.

Guzikowski is currently running point on The Wolf Man, while David Koepp has been tasked with writing a present-day Bride of Frankenstein, though Kurtzman, Hawley and Jenny Lumet worked on earlier drafts. Angelina Jolie has been courted to direct the latter film, which like The Mummy, will be set in present-day.

Universal executives Jon Mone and Jay Polidoro will oversee Van Helsing for the studio.

Besides Wrath of the Titans, Mazeau has written Lunar Park for producers Tom Cruise, Doug Liman and Simon Kinberg, and rewrote the spy movie Section 6 for Universal. He also adapted the sci-fi novel Yukikaze for Warner Bros. and wrote a draft of the action-thriller World’s Most Wanted for Fast & Furious producer Neal Moritz.

Mazeau is represented by CAA, Circle of Confusion and attorney Lee Rosenbaum.

 Jeff Sneider | Editor in Chief