Bekmambetov Directing 'Lincoln: Vampire Hunter'

Over the weekend, I finally got around to listening to Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. So far, it's a bit slow. I like the writing more than the reading, which I don't think is particularly imaginative. Well, days after its publication, Tim Burton and Timur Bekmambetov scooped up the rights and hired the novelist, Seth Grahame-Smith, to adapt his book. When we last discussed it, it seemed most logical that Bekmambetov would wind up being the director. And now: "That one I'm prepping to direct myself," Timur tells Empire. "It is not a comedy at all - it is a very entertaining, epic history lesson for millions and millions of teenagers. If you remember Night Watch, it is maybe in the vein of that kind of movie."

"We are keeping the traditional look of Lincoln - the big hat and the beard. He has to be historically correct, but with a few special weapons. There is only one book, but there will be many opportunities to develop and explore this world if we get to do sequels. I hope we will start this winter. We are shooting in America."

Sequels? Interesting. I'm not far enough along in the book to know whether or not it really does open itself up, but shit, it's vampires, so it's not like it would be the first time rules were bent on their account. Bekmambetov also says he hopes to direct that new version of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea he's developing with Ridley Scott, and that he has designs on cracking open Wanted 2 again once he wraps Abraham Lincoln.

Comments

[JJ]

This is a truly awesome book and as a history major it makes me laugh.

[MRPigg]

Was he being ironic when describing it as a "history lesson?"