# Van Helsing?! WTF?! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 26, 2004, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037 "2004-04-26T04:56:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![bmoak](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/9dc877/32.png) [@bmoak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bmoak)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/21 "2004-04-26T12:58:53Z")
Just from the trailers, I did not know that Van Hellsing was based on the manga/anime Hellsing (or is this just conjecture?) As for live action adaptations of anime/manga, it happens frequently enough in Japan. Lone Wolf and Cub (Shogun Assassin) is probably the king here. I think the series went to six movies. In addition to the ones listed above, I know of live action versions of Maison Ikkoku, Video Girl Ai, Be-Bop High School, Lupin III, and Weather Woman. ---
**Author:** ![Kamino\_Neko](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kamino_neko/32/34_2.png) [@Kamino\_Neko](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kamino_Neko)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/22 "2004-04-26T13:20:13Z")
> [@bmoak](#): > > Just from the trailers, I did not know that Van Hellsing was based on the manga/anime Hellsing (or is this just conjecture?) It’s not conjecture. Conjectire requires some attempt to describe the facts. **That** is just another fanboy wank like ‘Firefly is a ripoff of Outlaw Star’, or ‘Atlantis was stolen from Nadia’. As an unrepentant anime fanboy, the vocal, obnoxious subset of anime fanboys who go on like this make me want to hide my collection. ARGH. ---
**Author:** ![FriarTed](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/friarted/32/1052_2.png) [@FriarTed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FriarTed)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/23 "2004-04-26T13:36:15Z")
Few points- Anything that provokes Universal to release deluxe DVDs of its classic Monsters films is so not bad. Kate Beckinsale looks so yummy. I do wish the film/character had been given some other name unless it’s established that this VH is an ancestor of Abraham VH whose story (faithful to Stoker) we will see in a later film (I recall years ago an announcement that Coppolla was to produce Hopkins in The Van Helsing Chronicles.) ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 1:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/24 "2004-04-26T13:41:08Z")
> [@](#): > > 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. I really don’t think that would work. Its not that there isn’t the talent, its that turning Hellsing into live-action would just not get the subtle taste of the show across. Too much of it would get lost in translation and I don’t think anyone could make a decent plot in that time. The anime barely even introduces “Alucard” by the time the show ends. ---
**Author:** ![Draelin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ce73a5/32.png) [@Draelin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Draelin)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/25 "2004-04-26T13:48:50Z")
> [@FriarTed](#): > > I do wish the film/character had been given some other name unless it’s established that this VH is an ancestor of Abraham VH whose story (faithful to Stoker) we will see in a later film (I recall years ago an announcement that Coppolla was to produce Hopkins in The Van Helsing Chronicles.) From what I read on the IMDB, Jackman’s character is supposed to be the younger brother of Abraham Van Helsing. Still a bastardization of the whole idea, but Hugh Jackman is _hot_, and I like monsters. I’ll go see it. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/26 "2004-04-26T13:49:36Z")
> [@](#): > > 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. I really don’t think that would work. Its not that there isn’t the talent, its that turning Hellsing into live-action would just not get the subtle taste of the show across. Too much of it would get lost in translation and I don’t think anyone could make a decent plot in that time. The anime barely even introduces “Alucard” by the time the show ends. ---
**Author:** ![ArrMatey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/arrmatey/32/3522_2.png) [@ArrMatey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ArrMatey)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/27 "2004-04-26T14:26:37Z")
> [@Draelin](#): > > From what I read on the IMDB, Jackman’s character is supposed to be the younger brother of Abraham Van Helsing. Not from what I’ve heard- I hear ol’ “Gabe” has near-total amnesia (ie- we don’t have to write any backstory for him). In fact, I’ve heard that there’s little-to-no backstory or character development for any of it. Will I go see it? Probably. I like monster flicks. Will I enjoy it? We’ll see. I hate poorly written films. ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/28 "2004-04-26T18:08:46Z")
> [@ArrMatey!](#): > > Will I enjoy it? We’ll see. I hate poorly written films. [Your hate muscle will be well flexed by the end of the movie](http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=17423). ---
**Author:** ![Ogre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/ecb155/32.png) [@Ogre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ogre)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/29 "2004-04-26T18:28:32Z")
From **Cervaise** ’s link: > [@](#): > > There’s no real explanation for why the werewolves is there, just that Dracula uses them as lackeys even though they’re the only ones that can kill him. I wonder if this is intended to be a wink in the direction of _Underworld_, another Beckinsale movie in which part of the mythology was that the werewolves used to be the vampires’ guardians. And from the reviews, I can’t decide if this is going to tip the scales between “meh, wait for it to appear on TNT in two years” and “so godawful that it’s worth paying for it to throw popcorn at the screen.” ---
**Author:** ![Epimetheus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/c4cdca/32.png) [@Epimetheus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Epimetheus)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/30 "2004-04-27T02:40:40Z")
> [@bmoak](#): > > Just from the trailers, I did not know that Van Hellsing was based on the manga/anime Hellsing (or is this just conjecture?) Calling it conjecture is a bit much, though they don’t give the creator credit on the net, will have to wait till the closing credits close on opening day to find out for sure. Put it this way: Darkhorse comics owns the copyright on Hellsing Manga. Universal studios is releasing the movie. Universal Studios OWNS Darkhorse, and therefore can make a movie based off the comics. Here is some links to Hellsing Manga. [http://www.bookcrossing.com/fullsizecover/159307056X](http://www.bookcrossing.com/fullsizecover/159307056X) [http://www.2xtreme.net/~gjenness/hellsing.html](http://www.2xtreme.net/~gjenness/hellsing.html) The hat, the clothing, the secret organization, the freaking fact that unlike the orginal Stoker novels, Van Helsing isn’t like 65 years old… etc, etc. I imagine they will give a nod in the credits to the artist Kohta Hirano. Saying Hellsing is influenced by Vampire Hunter D is conjecture, unsupported by much of anything. Saying that the possiblitly of Van Helsing the movie being a remake of the Manga as being conjecture is just plain silly. There is plenty more evidence than conjecture. Saying it is merely conjecture is just dishonest. ---
**Author:** ![Beauty\_Personified](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@Beauty\_Personified](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beauty_Personified)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/31 "2004-04-27T06:14:52Z")
> [@Lamia](#): > > 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. _[Fist of the North Star](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0113074/)_ (1995) - starring the likes of Malcolm McDowell, Clint Howard, Melvin Van Peebles, Chris Penn and professional wrestler Big Van Vader (Leon White). _[The Guyver](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0101988/)_ (1991) - starring the likes Jimmie Walker, Michael Berryman and Mark Hamill - and a sequel - _[Dark Hero](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0109965/)_ (1995) - starring _David Hayter!?_ - were video releases. Off the top of my exploding head 😉 , those are the only two American-based live-action adaptions I can think of… There are more than a few currently in development though, including _Akira_ (Warner Brothers), _Lupin III_ and _Ninja Scroll_. James Cameron owns the rights to _Battle Angel Alita_, and ADV Films is working hard on a live-action _Neon Genesis Evangelion_ film. :eek: Anyhoo… ---
**Author:** ![Nightime](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e9c0ed/32.png) [@Nightime](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nightime)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/32 "2004-04-27T06:50:34Z")
> [@](#): > > \*\*Lamia[/b}: 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. True, but the sequel to Vampire Hunter D (better than the original, IMO) was actually in some American theaters not _that_ long ago. Not that that changes your point - it is still true that there is pretty much zero chance Hollywood would make a live action version. Personally, I have no desire to see live action versions of anime. If anything, I would rather see something like Van Helsing, which seems to blatantly rip off Vampire Hunter D, because if it is bad I can just laugh at it and forget it. I would rather see another animated VHD sequel than a live action version. ---
**Author:** ![smiling\_bandit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9a140/32.png) [@smiling\_bandit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smiling_bandit)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 3:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/33 "2004-04-27T15:25:32Z")
> [@](#): > > The hat, the clothing, the secret organization, the freaking fact that unlike the orginal Stoker novels, Van Helsing isn’t like 65 years old… etc, etc. That’s not all that original or unusual. Neither movie had any original elements, and I suspect Van Helsing probably started production before Hellsing hit America. > [@](#): > > There are more than a few currently in development though, including Akira (Warner Brothers), Lupin III and Ninja Scroll. James Cameron owns the rights to Battle Angel Alita, and ADV Films is working hard on a live-action Neon Genesis Evangelion film. I can see Lupin II and Ninja Scroll becoming cool movies, but _Battle Angel Alita_? ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/34 "2004-04-27T15:38:06Z")
> [@Nightime](#): > > True, but the sequel to Vampire Hunter D (better than the original, IMO) was actually in some American theaters not _that_ long ago. “Vampire Hunter E”? ---
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/35 "2004-04-27T19:21:49Z")
[The latest foam-flecked broadside](http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=17428). And [here’s one from a few days ago](http://www.aintitcool.com/display.cgi?id=17414) that calls it “a $200 million dollar Troma movie.” Heh, now _that_ would be something to see. ---
**Author:** ![gobear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8dc957/32.png) [@gobear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gobear)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/36 "2004-04-27T20:06:22Z")
You’re going to have to expect to hear strained explanations from Sommers and Universal that, _no_, **Van Helsing** is in no way at all whatsoever connected to anime, that’s just _crazy_ talk!. And Simba isn’t Kimba. Whatever. I just hope that Sommers listened to the Muse whjo gave us **Deep Rising** and **The Mummy** and firmly shut his ears to the Muse who inspired **The Mummy Returns**. ---
**Author:** ![SPOOFE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c5a1d2/32.png) [@SPOOFE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SPOOFE)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/37 "2004-04-27T20:13:37Z")
> [@](#): > > Not from what I’ve heard- I hear ol’ “Gabe” has near-total amnesia (ie- we don’t have to write any backstory for him). … And I hear that he’s got claws that’re made of _bone_, man. And his hat is to hide his crazy hair. ---
**Author:** ![SolGrundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bbce88/32.png) [@SolGrundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SolGrundy)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2004, 8:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/38 "2004-04-27T20:14:11Z")
Are there any reviews/previews that _aren’t_ from Ain’t It Cool? They’re not exactly a bastion of journalistic integrity. (I couldn’t get **Cervaise** ’s last link to work). Granted, I haven’t seen the thing and have no idea if it’s any good, but I’m inclined to think that they just don’t get the movie. Based on the premise and the movies that Stephen Somers has done in the past – The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, and Deep Rising – I’m think they just tried to make a big-budget B movie. Big, loud, mindless fun that doesn’t just require you to suspend your disbelief but to just jettison it out the window. Thinking about how faithful it is to Bram Stoker, or why there’d be so many monsters in the same place, etc., is just missing the point. I suspect. Again, I could be wrong. But I remain cautiously optimistic. Hugh Jackman is just a bad-ass, pure and simple, and Somers has built up so much street-cred with me with _Deep Rising_ that he can make a dozen more awful movies before I’ll learn my lesson. ---
**Author:** ![Lamia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/8e7dd6/32.png) [@Lamia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lamia)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2004, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/39 "2004-04-28T07:35:12Z")
I do wonder if there is some sort of trend towards making Dracula movies without using the name “Dracula” in the title. I can’t find it on the IMDB, but here in Japan I’ve seen trailers and video boxes for a Western (European? American? I can’t tell) vampire movie called…_Draculea_. I’m aware that this is an accepted spelling of the nickname of Vlad “The Impaler” Tepes, but come on. Use it for a movie title, and it looks like you’re trying to pull a fast one. “No no, it’s not _Dracula_, it’s _Draculea_! Totally different! It has an ‘E’!” IIRC, 1992’s _Bram Stoker’s Dracula_ was so nameed because another studio had the rights to plain ol’ _Dracula_ as a title. Could someone have bought up the rights to use the familiar “Dracula” name in titles at all? Will we be seeing “The Harkers” or “The Adventures of Arthur and Quincy” anytime soon? ---
**Author:** ![Mk\_VII](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Mk\_VII](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mk_VII)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2004, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037/40 "2004-05-17T21:21:12Z")
Bram Stoker died in 1912 so the novel must be safely out of copyright and anyone can use the characters. I would guess Coppola wanted to stress that he was returning to the original book (though really he doesn’t). The most faithful adaptation, IMHO, was Gerald Savory’s one for the BBC, starring Louis Jourdan and Frank Finlay [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/van-helsing-wtf/242037.md?page=3)