Chloé Zhao's filmmaking career is, it's fair to say, skyrocketing right now. Having scored acclaim for 2017's The Rider, she's since gone on to both a Marvel movie with Eternals and is winning more praise for her latest drama, Nomadland. Universal is looking to climb aboard the Zhao bandwagon, hiring her to tackle a new version of the classic monster story Dracula.
Far from aiming to be another straightforward adaptation of Bram Stoker's vampire tale, Zhao is looking to write and direct an original, sci-fi Western. "I’ve always been fascinated by vampires and the concept of the Other they embody," says the writer/director in a statement carried by The Hollywood Reporter. "I’m very excited to work with Donna, Peter and the team at Universal to reimagine such a beloved character."
As Nomadland sweeps through awards categories, picking up gongs and nominations (including at the recent Golden Globes announcement), eyes are turning to her Marvel debut as Eternals, which is still currently scheduled to arrive this November, though we'll have to see if it stays in place, given that cinemas remain closed and release dates are all in flux.