Back in November 2019, it looked like Dexter Fletcher was the man Universal had picked to bring a new take on the Dracula-adjacent Renfield character to the screen. Now, though, it seems there's a new director ready to sit in the chair, with The LEGO Batman's Chris McKay in talks.
The script has some horror pedigree as The Walking Dead comics creator (and TV producer) Robert Kirkman pitched a new take on the character, which the studio snapped up. Rick And Morty writer Ryan Ridley handled the actual scripting chores and while there are few details to be found, it'll apparently be a present day story and not a period piece.
Which will make it that rare version of the Renfield story not to take place in the past. Renfield is traditionally portrayed as an inmate in an asylum who is believed to be suffering from delusions, but is actually a servant of Dracula whose mind has been twisted by his exposure to the bloodsucker. He captures small creatures and tries to eat them in the hopes of gaining their life essence, and his master sends him insects from time to time. Quite how much of those details will make it into the final film remains to be seen...
If he does end up making the movie, McKay would be the latest in a line of directors developing new versions of classic Universal horror characters, with James Wan producing a new Van Helsing and plans for a fresh Wolfman starring Ryan Gosling. McKay's most recent job? Directing The Tomorrow War, with the Chris Pratt-fronted sci-fi film headed out via Amazon on 2 July.