Dracula Year Zero

Universal has acquired the spec script Dracula Year Zero by newcomer writers Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless and set it up with Michael De Luca to produce via his De Luca Productions, Variety reported.

The story explores the origin of Dracula, weaving vampire mythology with the true history of Prince Vlad the Impaler, depicting Dracula as a flawed hero in a tragic love story set in a dark age of magic and war.

Alissa Phillips of De Luca Productions, who brought the project in, will serve as co-producer. Donna Langley, president of production, and Jeffrey Kirschenbaum will oversee the project.

Universal was home to the original 1931 Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi and based on Bram Stoker's horror novel, published in 1897.