There’s a new version of Dracula in theaters this coming weekend from Luc Besson, but back in 2004, Stephen Sommers put his spin on Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and werewolves with Van Helsing, which you can watch in the latest Everything Action Theater. Hugh Jackman stars as Van Helsing, who travels the globe battling monsters for the Vatican. Dispatched to Transylvania, Van Helsing is tasked with destroying Dracula (Richard Roxburgh) and protecting the Valerious siblings, Anna (Kate Beckinsale) and Velkan (Will Kemp). Sommers was coming off the first two Mummy films and, while they took inspiration from Indiana Jones, Van Helsing was conceived with more of a James Bond feel, complete with Van Helsing getting various gadgets and weaponry from a Q-like figure, a monk named Carl (David Wenham). The film was not as well received as the Mummy films and was considered a box-office disappointment, grossing $300 million on a budget of $160- $170 million. A sequel was planned but cancelled after the movie’s box office performance, and Sommers directed GI Joe: Rise of Cobra next. You can watch the entire film on YouTube below.
