Universal’s “Dracula Untold” aimed to revitalize the iconic vampire character for a new generation. Released in 2014, the film presented a fresh take on the origin story of Dracula, portrayed by Luke Evans. Set in the 15th century, it explored the transformation of Vlad Drăculea, the Prince of Wallachia and Transylvania, into the legendary vampire. The movie delved into Vlad’s struggle to protect his kingdom and family while facing the temptation of dark powers.
Despite its intriguing premise, “Dracula Untold” faced mixed reviews from critics and moderate box office success. While it teased a potential sequel with its ending, the film’s performance didn’t meet Universal’s expectations for launching their envisioned “Dark Universe.” As a result, plans for a connected universe featuring classic monster characters were scrapped, and “Dracula Untold” was left as a standalone entry in the Dracula mythos.
However, the legacy of Dracula continues to thrive in popular culture, with various new adaptations and projects exploring the iconic character. While “Dracula Untold” didn’t achieve its intended goal of launching a franchise, it remains an entertaining addition to the vampire genre and is available for streaming on Netflix in the U.S.