Can anyone tell me why they’re dicking up the Dracula story again?
Because it’ll probably make a shitload of money?
Good point. Silly question.
Also, because Hugh Jackman’s hot and he does hot things while looking hot. I must support him in his very hot efforts, even if they involve spitting on Stoker’s grave (in a hot fashion, of course).
I love Lilek’s alt-name for Hugh Jackman - HUGE ACTION!
Sorry, I mean “Lileks’s.”
I was going to point out how big a part hotness plays in the whole affair, but I see I’ve been beaten to it.
Kate Beckinsale is hot too.
The trailers (and the weaponry shown therein) look more like Sluggy Freelance than Dracula…
Haven’t seen it- not gonna- but I must say, it was awfully considerate of the werewolf and Frankenstein’s monster to live in Dracula’s neighborhood so that they could shoot all three fight scenes at the same time…
I took it as a modern version of those old Universal Pictures horror movies, especially the constant crossovers between the “big three monsters” who seem to take center stage in this one. And I think Universal agrees with me, considering how they’re rereleasing thirteen of 'em on DVD.
I think it looks to be more specifically ripped off from Vampire Hunter D. Look at this.
You REALLY can’t be a stylish vampire hunter without a big floppy hat.
I’ll be seeing it for what it is - a big-budget, B-movie “monster mash” featuring Universal Studios’ three most famous creatures. If it does well, maybe we’ll see a sequel with The Invisible Man, The Creature From The Black Lagoon and The Mummy (sans Brendan Fraser 
).
That said, I’m annoyed with the title of the film. Unless it bombs to the extent that people consciously and/or subconsciously forget its existence, its title handicaps the possibility of a live-action Hellsing film actually being called Hellsing.
And, as Tobio pointed out, Hugh Jackman’s costume could handicap the success of a live-action Vampire Hunter D film, in that American audiences will likely see VHD as a knock-off of Van Helsing, instead of the other way around. (Not that Universal ripped off VHD’s look on purpose. )
Anyhoo…
I think there’s more than this movie standing in the way of a Hollywood, live-action version of Hellsing or Vampire Hunter D. I only know Hellsing by name, but Vampire Hunter D is nearly 20 years old and was released on video in the US more than a decade ago. If Hollywood hasn’t jumped on it by now I wouldn’t expect them to do so anytime soon.
Has there ever even been a Hollywood live-action film version of any Japanese anime series/video/movie? If there has been, it wasn’t successful enough for me to have heard of it. Heck, I don’t even know of any Japanese live-action film versions of any Japanese anime (although there is, infamously, a live-action Sailor Moon TV series).
It does amaze me, and I can’t help but admire, how he can maintain such a Bad-Ass rugged image on screen while prancing around like a limp-wristed nancy boy on Broadway.
(No sarcasm intended. I really think it displays great talent to acheive both. I myself enjoy being entertained by rugged bad-asses as well as limp-wristed nancy boys!)
Lamia has a point: The original Vampire Hunter D came about in 1985. Sure, the character Van Hellsing is much, much older, but the name is pretty much all that is similar. Hugh Jackman plays a piss poor elderly German Professor.
Now what the movie is based on is the Magna Hellsing. Down to the secret organization protecting the Queen and all. That, I am afraid is only a few years old- (2000). Easily influenced by Vampire Hunter D. I would say that Kohta Hirano is a fan of ol boy D.
Oh, and to all those that might say “But Van Hellsing isn’t a Vampire cross breed like Vampire Hunter D,” I say this:
B.S! Not to spoil anybodies enjoyment of the movie, but in the preview itself they hint at the fact that (Gabriel) Van Hellsing’s past is somehow connected to Dracula. I would bet that has to do with ancestory, wouldn’t you? Perhaps a son, which somehow explains his skill at killing things supernatural? Nahhh.
Not directly that I can think of. although they’re doing design/pre-prod for a live-action Evangelion.
Oh, but there are – live action Sanctuary, Perfect Blue, GTO, You’re Under Arrest. And even a live-action La Blue Girl, Bog have mercy on us all…
And not Japanese, but Hong-Kong, there are: a live-action City Hunter with Jackie Chan as Ryo and a live-action Dragonball(believe it or not).
Oh coooooool! I am now gonna beg my wife to let me buy the whole set! All I need next is The Monster Club.