TOMB OF DRACULA the TV Series

What with WALKING DEAD and AMERICAN HORROR STORY getting great ratings horror is kicking ass on TV, the logical next step  is to bring the Prince of Darkness himself to the small screen in a series, preferably on a premium cable channel. DEXTER has proven that audiences are ready for a show that features a "monster" in the lead provided that he is presented with some sympathy, and the Dracula from Marv Wolfman's great 70's Tomb of Dracula run would be perfect for this. In fact, the series itself is rife with great supporting characters and rich storylines to mine for adaptation. I want this to happen. Maybe by discussing this hypothetical show on the internet, some visionary producer will catch wind of it and make it happen. Or hell, I'm in Hollywood, someone get me a pitch meeting!

Anyway, for those who have read the comic, how about some casting ideas? Let's try to keep it to known TV actors. Yes, Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem and Robert Downey Jr would make cool, charasmatic Draculas but lets stay within the realm of feasibility. How about Frank Drake and the Van Helsings? Would Taj's stereotypical ethnincicities (sp) need to be toned down for modern viewers? Would Blade show up? What think ye, Chewers?

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Originally Posted by Phil 

TOD might be the only complete comics run I own.

 

Your coolness points just went up if that was somehow even possible. I only own the Essentials. Sigh.

I like the Peter Weller suggestion but I've seen the guy around town and he is friggin' old. I think realistically there'd have to be some skewing younger to bring in the ladies and the younger viewers. Here's my pick for Drac:

Karl Urban.

Now I know, he's a serious C-lister, but I like the guy and think he can be great when given a chance, like in Star Trek. He doesn't look like the Colan drawings but he's got intensity and can project arrogance which is so important to the character; he's gotta be an arrogant prick. Plus he's vaguely European. I think he would be a good compromise for not going TOO young, and I think he's a TV star waiting to happen. Yes, I know he played a vamp in Priest, but I think he could kill it as TOD Drac. Plus he'd look good in a cape, and FUCK YES there would have to be a cape, even if it's played as a joke some of the time.

I like the 70's period setting idea and don't see why you couldn't have episodes set in the 70's, but I wouldn't limit it to that. I'd say a good compromise would to have the main thrust set in modern day to cut down on production costs and throw in a 70's flashback subplot throughout the season, maybe showing how how Quincy Harker ended up crippled or something. And have a 70's Blade. Who dies.

My top pick for Lilith, Dracula's daughter and general thorn in Drac's side would be Eva Green. She did some terrible Camelot series so I don't see why she wouldn't be up for this. And I think her and Urban could really make the small screen sizzle with creepy incestual tension!

Sorry, I'm trying to will it into existence.

It's hard when thinking about it to not be drawn to ideas and actors that have showed up in numerous vampire shows and movies. The ideal would be for it to have the class of Game of Thrones but the pulpiness of Dexter. It should be as far removed from True Blood as possible, IMO.

The role of Frank Drake could go to any Blandy McBlanderson, I kind of feel that there would need to be the stock, good-looking romantic lead factor in his casting. For some reason I keep thinking of Michael Vartan from Alias. He was the lead who didn't go on to greener pastures from that show.

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Originally Posted by neoolong 

Scott Speedman!

I actually thought of him! Simon Baker would also be an obvious choice, but he's got a show already.