Legendary May Co-Finance Dracula and Jurassic Park IV with Universal

Aug 29, 2013 by Brian Gallagher

Legendary Pictures may co-finance Dracula and Jurassic Park IVWhen Legendary Pictures left Warner Bros. and signed a five-year co-financing and distribution deal with Universal Pictures, many wondered which of Universal's projects Legendary would join. Today, we have word that Legendary's Thomas Tull is considering co-financing the horror remake Dracula under the new arrangement.

Shooting is already under way in Belgrade, Serbia, with Luke Evans starring as the Transylvanian prince and vampire who tries to save his wife and son from a Turkish mob. The story, written by Burk Sharpless and Matt Sazama, combines elements from Bram Stoker's original novel, and the true story of Vlad the Impaler, the author's inspiration for this iconic bloodsucking character. Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, Samantha Barks and Art Parkinson star in this remake, which marks the directorial debut of visual effects artist Gary Shore.

Thomas Tull is also considering coming aboard Jurassic Park IV, which is scheduled to begin production next year under Colin Trevorrow's direction. No cast members have been hired yet, but the screenplay was co-written by Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly. Reps for both Legendary and Universal declined to comment.

According to insiders, Legendary is reportedly committed to invest an average of $275 million in Universal projects per year for the first two years, and an average of $350 million a year for the last three years of the deal. On the other hand, Universal is committed to invest $175 million in select Legendary projects. Sources also indicate that Universal's Fast & Furious franchise and animation projects under Illumination Entertainment are excluded from the arrangement.

Legendary is currently examining Universal's entire upcoming slate, which includes movies that might be in Legendary's wheelhouse such as the Untitled Mummy Reboot and the Van Helsing remake. We reported earlier this month that Legendary is bringing Seventh Son to Universal for a 2014 relase. The production company still has forthcoming movies such as Godzilla, 300: Rise of an Empire and Crimson Peak set up at Warner Bros.

Dracula comes to theaters October 3rd, 2014 and stars Luke Evans, Sarah Gadon, Dominic Cooper, Samantha Barks, Art Parkinson.

Jurassic Park IV is in development . The film is directed by Colin Trevorrow.