Universal Reportedly Wants Channing Tatum for Van Helsing Role
In rebooting their monster-led franchises, Universal is aiming to build a film universe not too dissimilar from the MCU. The Mummy’s recent release seemingly failed to lay the ground they intended at the box office, but the Dark Universe is still a-go. With films such as Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, and The Wolfman on the docket, casting information is bound to begin surfacing soon. So far, apart from The Mummy’s cast, the only other actors attached to the Dark Universe are Javier Bardem (Frankenstein) and Johnny Depp (The Invisible Man), with the studio allegedly looking to bring Angelina Jolie aboard as the Bride of Frankenstein. It appears Channing Tatum is next on Universal’s list of gets.
The studio is eyeing Tatum for the role of Van Helsing, according to a THR report. An attempt at bring the character to the big screen didn’t prove successful in 2004, with Hugh Jackman in the titular role of Van Helsing. Perhaps a new approach is on the cards, one that resembles Bram Stoker’s original characterization of the professor — although it is unlikely if Tatum, or another actor of his age and build, does sign on. In Stoker’s Dracula, Van Helsing is not the vampire hunter that’s been depicted in modern iterations of the character.
Hugh Jackman in Van Helsing (2004) Courtesy of Universal
As recent as this February, Van Helsing’s co-writer, Eric Heisserer told Collider of his desire to explore the character beyond the superheroic trope he’s begun to embody. Instead, Heisserer’s intention is to focus on someone who’s an “everyday hero.” Whether or not this idea changes will be of great interest should Channing Tatum take the role.
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