Leonardo DiCaprio to Produce Bela Lugosi Biopic at Universal
Universal Pictures is developing a biopic centered on teh life of Bela Lugosi, the iconic actor best known for his definitive portrayal of Dracula. The film will trace Lugosi’s journey from his immigration to the United States and his ascent to stardom, encompassing his celebrated Broadway and film performances as Dracula, as well as the pivotal decision to decline the role of Frankenstein’s monster – a part ultimately taken by Boris Karloff.
The project aims to capture Lugosi’s meteoric rise and subsequent struggles, acknowledging how, despite being forever linked to Dracula, he became a cornerstone of Universal’s legendary monster pantheon. Jennifer Davisson, Michael Hampton, and Leonardo DiCaprio will produce the film through Appian Way.
The screenplay will be penned by Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski,the acclaimed writing duo behind “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “Man on the Moon,” “Big Eyes,” “Dolemite is My Name,” and “American Crime Story.” They moast recently wrote a biopic about The Grateful Dead, currently in progress at Apple.
Industry veterans John Cutler and Richard Marshak, who have pursued a Lugosi film for decades, initiated the project as teenagers.Marshak, a former talent agent, has a longstanding professional relationship with DiCaprio, having worked with him early in both of their careers.
Appian Way’s recent productions include Martin Scorsese’s “Killers of the Flower Moon,” starring DiCaprio, and also “The Featherweight” and “Queen of Bones.” DiCaprio currently stars in Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One battle Another” and is reportedly in talks to appear in Michael Mann’s “Heat 2,” now with Amazon MGM’s United Artists, and a new Scorsese Apple film, “What Happens at Night,” alongside jennifer Lawrence.
Alexander and Karaszewski are represented by CAA and Entertainment 360. Appian Way is represented by LBI and Hansen,Jacobson,Teller. Cutler & Marshak are represented by Michael Sherman at Eisner Law.