Van Helsing (2004) Web Site
February 21st, 2003 at 9:18 am (Movie News)
A site has launched for the new movie Van Helsing with some very beautiful art. The movie, written and directed by Stephen Sommers (The Mummy), has Stroker’s famed vampire hunter played by Hugh Jackman (Wolverine in the X-Men movies) going up against Frankenstein?s monster, The Wolf Man and Dracula. Also on the cast are Kate Beckinsale, Richard Roxburgh (Moulin Rouge), David Wenham (Lord of the Rings), Will Kemp and Shuler Hensley. Production started in January and the movie is slated for a 2004 release.
More info:
Box Office Prophets: Van Helsing
Thomas said,
February 25, 2003 at 9:32 pm
Hello,
This film is going to RULE !!!
It is the film I most looking foward to next year next to Superman.Steven Sommers and Hugh Jackman together making a monster hunting film ?…..WHAT MORE COULD YOU WANT !!!!!!!!!
Leopoldo said,
February 26, 2003 at 8:28 am
I am actually rather nervous about the Superman movie. At first is sounded great, but the more I read about it, the more I wonder if they are making a movie or an action flick.
Rickenbacher said,
March 10, 2003 at 12:15 pm
Van Helsing should grab some of the ‘04 box office.
The cast is crisp, and the sets are supposed to be great.
They are filming in Eastern Europe, so it should be
visually cool. CGI monsters by the crew at ILM.
Jackman is no slouch, he has proved he can hold action.
Wolvie berzerker rage (X2).Overall it’s gonna’ hit with all the rest.
Let’s wit and see we still have ‘03 summer to rate!
L/R~
derek said,
April 18, 2003 at 3:14 pm
i can’t wait to see van helsing fight all the awesome monsters!! it’s gonna be a BLAST!!
ryan said,
April 30, 2003 at 8:20 pm
well, i would prefer to see ol helsing just take out drac. not the wolfman an all that jazz
tyler said,
May 3, 2003 at 11:41 am
man, castlevania style? he should fight tons of “low rank” vampyres and skeletons and all of that good stuff
Corrupt Phantasy said,
May 3, 2003 at 5:27 pm
My God, this movie is a HIGE ripoff of the anime “Hellsing”. The main character looks EXACTLY like Arucard is every way, and even has the same gun.
Matt C. said,
May 4, 2003 at 1:22 pm
As an avid Hellsing fan (of the manga), I have to disagree. In what we’ve seen Van Helsing in the new movie simply has the ‘generic vampire hunter’ outfit. Face-concealing hat, badass coat, insane gun, etc. So, if you’re going to call ‘Van Helsing’ a ripoff, than you’ll have to do the same of ‘Hellsing’. It’s the exact same damn thing…
Abby said,
May 5, 2003 at 7:17 am
I cant wait for this movie, i love Hugh Jackman, and in this film he is rugged with long hair and looks great! so there is an anime of Van Helsing? i gotta watch that! this film will be the biggest film of 2004! i love the whole mysterious black thing he’s got goin on! cant wait!
Brenda said,
May 7, 2003 at 12:17 pm
He also looks like Vampire Hunter D. The vampire anime/comic series that has the hunted hunting the hunters
http://www.vampirehunterdbloodlust.com/
Leopoldo said,
May 7, 2003 at 12:21 pm
For you vampire fans in the audience, take a look at the new movie ‘Underworld’
http://www.geekroar.com/film/archives/000228.php
Corleone said,
May 11, 2003 at 3:18 pm
Have annyone played final fantasy VII? Van Helsing looks exactly like the secret character in Final fantasy VII Vincent. RIPOFF.
Dominic Basil said,
May 17, 2003 at 8:31 am
This film is going to make a blast at the film industry next year… Hugh Jackman? He’s going to be very cool in that movie… I can’t wait anymore longer… Why not release it this year?
Leopoldo said,
May 17, 2003 at 9:03 am
They can’t release it this year because they haven’t filmed it yet
Dominic Basil said,
May 19, 2003 at 7:59 am
As a fact, Hugh Jackman is going to be cool in that movie…. although this is the second time I mention it again… But how do you know they haven’t filmed it yet, Leopoldo? Have you ever met Hugh Jackman? He’s so damn polite…
Leopoldo said,
May 19, 2003 at 8:09 am
Because the movie started production in January. A movie like this typically takes about two months of pre-production, 3 months of shooting and another two months of post production at least. If it has a lot of special effects they can add as much as another year to the production schedule. If you count your months that means they should be done with principle photography and somewhere in post production right about now.
Dominic Basil said,
May 19, 2003 at 8:39 am
This movie is equivalent in mixing Aliens, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, Ginger Snaps, Jeepers creepers and The brotherhood of the wolf. Okay, that;s enough now, I’m getting excited to see his performance in that movie. Way to go, Hugh Jackman!! I love you. Anyway, Leopoldo, how do you know the details about the movie?? Strange.
Leopoldo said,
May 19, 2003 at 9:35 am
If you read my original post you will see the link out to the article that stated they were starting production in January. I also read Dark Horizons , which has a lot of good movie news and details, and regularly and make wide use of the Internet Movie Database . I studied film in college, have made some short movies and teach movie making workshops, so I know what movie timelines are like and can estimate where a production is if I know when they got started and what the scope of the film is.
I just checked the IMDB for this movie and sure enough the last report they posted (four days ago) states the movie is in post-production.
Dominic Basil said,
May 19, 2003 at 10:45 pm
Interesting, Leo. Kindly tell me where are they going to film this movie? They say it’s on the eastern Europe but where? Thanks, Leo. Anyway, I can’t wait for this movie to be release next year. You know time goes by. And it certainly very fast. Now we’re in the month of May, almost near to the middle of the month of this year 2003.
Kage said,
May 20, 2003 at 1:14 am
OK, Leo thanks thats enough. Anyway this is not a Ripoff on anything, not Hellsing, not Vampire Hunter D. Its a movie about Dr. Abraham Van Helsing. The same character that Anthony Hopkins played in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. In this version he’s simply playing a younger version of the vampire hunter. And its going to be a HELL of a movie. I direct movies I should know.
Dominic Basil said,
May 20, 2003 at 6:56 am
You direct movies? What type? Hugh Jackman is going to be great in that movie… ok, ok enough now.
Leopoldo said,
May 20, 2003 at 9:32 am
I direct you to the Internet Movie Database. It is a great place to look for general information on any movie. According to the IMDB
http://us.imdb.com/Locations?0338526
Van Helsing is filming in:
Los Angeles, California, USA
Paris, France
Prague, Czech Republic
Rome, Lazio, Italy
mutt said,
May 24, 2003 at 6:10 pm
Lets hope they do *film* it, not just generate every fight scene on some computer.
Leopoldo said,
June 3, 2003 at 3:04 pm
There is a description of a few minutes of the next Vanhelsing movie up at:
http://www.creature-corner.com/news3/may30vanhelsing.php3
Bri said,
June 29, 2003 at 1:19 pm
this looks good but hugh jackman looks alot like Alucard from hellsing in the magazine entertainment or sum then like that. i want a movie based upon the anime but guess its not gunna happen. atleast they makin a movie based upon American McGees Alice ^-^
Shorty said,
July 13, 2003 at 3:01 pm
This movie is going to be awesome.
Hugh Jackman is the man and he is going to be great as Van Helsing the lendgenary vampire hunter.
Shorty said,
July 13, 2003 at 3:01 pm
This movie is going to be awesome.
Hugh Jackman is the man and he is going to be great as Van Helsing the lendgenary vampire hunter.
Hoot Monster said,
August 24, 2003 at 5:43 pm
Aw man. I’d heard that this was going to be a live action version of the anime Hellsing. I’m a wee bit disappointed, but I’ll go se it anyway. It sounds really interesting and Hugh Jackman is awesome.
Hrothgar said,
November 17, 2003 at 12:13 pm
Man, it looks like I’m alone in being nervous about this one. The last thing I want in the next big vampire move is a bunch of uber stylized gunfights, techno music and cheesy one-liners. Hopefully this movie will get past that. The inclusion of the Wolf Man and Frankenstein to a Van Helsing movie is pretty sketchy. It looks like it has more potential than ‘Modern Vampires’ and ‘Razor Blade Smile,’ but if it turns out to be a friggan techno-Blade-panzee-wannabegothic flick I am going to shoot myself. I’m in to the whole anime Vampire Hunter D thing, but why can’t some of the dignity that used to be in vampire movies remain. I mean, Francis Ford Copalla’s Dracula was pretty good, but everything since then has been a really big let down. I want Van Helsing to be better, but I’m gonna try to not get my hopes up.
D.A. said,
December 14, 2003 at 6:46 pm
So they’re not going to make the real movie of the anime Hellsing? But, Integra Hellsing is the great-grandaughter of Van Hellsing in the anime manga I think. Are they connected in a way? And I hope it’ll be like a bit of a fusion of Vampire Hunter D and Hellsing. That would rock. If only they made a movie-movie of Vampire Hunter D bloodlust. I also want to know if they have a trailer out for it yet… Van Hellsing I mean.
GunGrave said,
January 11, 2004 at 7:24 am
humm….Van Helsing and Hellsing IS NOT related in anyway the characters are based on to different ways. ( look a like maybe ) Alucard Is mostly a demented freak who kills pretty much everthing(whitch is cool:P) and Vimpire D Hunter is the closess to look like Van helsing 1: in the movie bloolust kills a werewolf 2: is a vampire hunter…Something would be cool though !
A mixe Of red tranch coat, Big ass gun(HELLSING)and BLACKArmor sword and finaly the attidude of ( strong silent type, talks when spoken to, serious shows no signs of pain) and a the end BLOWsUP And goes in KICK ASS MODE like Hugh Jackman in X2 :p I agree with Hrothgar quotes :bunch of uber stylized gunfights, techno music and cheesy one-liners.
Im affraid of that two !! anyways thanks for reading.
Caita said,
January 15, 2004 at 4:20 pm
I have loved anime for 9 years now and this is by far the saddest thing I have ever seen. This, just by looking and reading the sypnosis of Van Helsing, is definately a copy of the great anime “Hellsing”. Don’t get me wrong, I loved “The Mummy” and I love Hugh Jackman, it’s just I do not appreciate the supposible “mistake” they made by copying “Hellsing”. At least give the anime some credit.
TK421 said,
January 16, 2004 at 3:23 am
Wow, so many of you seem to not understand that Abraham Van Helsing was a fictional character made up by Bram Stoker. Even then, it was inspired by (supposedly) Van Helmont, an ancient alchemist mentioned in T J Pettigrew’s ‘On Superstitions Connected with the History and Nature of Medicine and Surgery’ from (1844), which was a listed source used by Stoker. The name Abraham was used as a sort of identifier since Bram (short for Abraham) shared the name with his father.
The anime Hellsing takes quite a bit of Bram Stoker’s vampire idealogy. To say that the movie is a ripoff of the anime, is to say that you have no knowledge of what you speak.
The type of outfit used for Van Helsing in both the movie ‘Bram Stoker’s Dracula’ and in THIS movie are based off of descriptions from the book itself.
If you want further proof that the anime Hellsing is based off of Bram Stoker’s world, look up Vlad the Impaler (or Prince Vlad III Dracula), find a sketch of him, and then watch the very end of episode 13 when Alucard is asked who he is. The character Dracula in Bram Stoker’s book draws from the legend of Vlad the Impaler which many do not seem to make a connection with in the beginning of the movie based off the book (many, actually, have not read the book).
Van Helsing may or may not insult Bram Stoker’s legacy but we’ll just have to see. In the meantime, may the rest of you be informed of the background to said movies and anime.
TK421 said,
January 16, 2004 at 3:53 am
If you want some more background. The ‘Corvinus Clan’ mentioned in the movie Underworld was based off of Matthias Corvinus, the king of Hungary at the time that Dracula was driven out of Walachia. Syphilis plagued these surrounding countries.
TK421 said,
January 16, 2004 at 4:08 am
Sorry, I said Syphilis but I don’t think that was it. The point remains though. Most vampire stories are derived from the real Dracula or those who were somehow involved with him at the time, and many movies and anime draw from one story in paritcular, Dram Stoker’s Dracula. Good day.
jerryatric said,
January 16, 2004 at 2:18 pm
I think there seems to be one simple point missing in the confusion between Van Helsing the movie and Hellsing the anime series. Alucard (from Hellsing anime) is a vampire…. Van Helsing (from the movie) looks like a regular human being as far as I can tell. In fact Alucard wears glasses, a bright red hat and trench coat, and funnily enough has large canines protruding from his mouth. Besides the hat and trench coat (typical of almost any vampire hunter) there ain’t too much similar between them.
jerryatric said,
January 16, 2004 at 2:58 pm
I must say though, Hellsing is a kick ass anime and I hope they do make a movie of it some day. It would be mad to see a CG version of all the various vampire forms Alucard has.
Leopoldo said,
January 18, 2004 at 9:14 pm
A trailer for Van Helsing has been released information is at:
Film Roar: Van Helsing Pictures and Trailer
I have also posted an image gallery of stills captured from the trailer at:
Geekroar.com Gallery :: Van Helsing Pictures
Extrenm54 said,
January 19, 2004 at 1:48 pm
Well this movie does look coll and I dont know if it is related to the Anime “Hellsing” I am pretty sure its not based on the fact that there is a Hellsing family of Vampire nunters in the very old Dracula movies, and that is way before the anime.
Coops said,
January 20, 2004 at 12:08 am
OK, this is how it is,
VAN HELSING is the great grandfather of INTERGRA HELSING.
COUNT DRACULA is ALUCARD.
In the anime ALUCARD is known as a great accomlishment of the HELSING family, which would indicate that ALUCARD was somehow captured by VAN HELSING.
The anime does not show how ALUCARD was captured, but the film does.
HELLSING and HELSING are both the same thing, despite different spelling.
Jalen Pyralis said,
January 20, 2004 at 4:50 pm
I must say that this movie looks hot.
I agree with the Vampire Hunter D similarity, though. Vampire Hunter D = Trigun + Hellsing
Van Helsing = Vampire Hunter D + League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.
Leopoldo said,
February 3, 2004 at 8:34 am
I have added eight more pictures from Van Helsing at: Film Roar: More Van Helsing Pictures and Geekroar.com Gallery :: Van Helsing Pictures.
eric said,
February 4, 2004 at 6:39 pm
This movie can burn in hell!!!! only reason i was ever attracted to this movie was the tittle van helsing which is close to the ANIME HELLSING which is also about some hunting and destroying vampires. all and all the anime is soooo much better and more interesting than this stupid, poor excuse for a movie
Toliss said,
February 25, 2004 at 7:37 am
F you guys who know nothing about Hellsing the anime and van helsing the movie and anime are totaly diffirent van helsing is a regular guy just really bad ass Alucard is fucking vlad the impalor and can kick anyones ass totaly hard core style and looks way more bad ass than “D” who is draculas son with an STR that talks to him and makes funny jokes all in all they are all super bad ass guys but the cleric from Equlibrium would totaly smoke them in the face cept alucard cuz he cant die.
mango said,
March 17, 2004 at 9:45 pm
Wow, thanks TK421 for your enlightening post. First I was surprised and pissed off at the movie ‘Van Helsing’ because I thought it was ripping off the anime ‘Hellsing’. Now that I read your post, I now know better. Both the anime and the movie are just differet twists on Bramstoker’s world…although I do hope ‘Van Helsing’ kicks as much ass as in ‘Hellsing’. Are these two works cousins mayhaps?
Marquis De Valmont said,
March 20, 2004 at 12:29 am
Dear Leopoldo,
The Wolf Man, The Underworld & now, Van Helsing.
Are all of these movies created by the same company?
The posters for each of them are pretty similar.
You know, daring pose in front of the moon, weapons in hand, standing on a cliff or rocky surface, etc. Similar fonts, *Sees no reason to go on anymore*
My other uestion: Are there any other movies before this one that are like The Wolf Man, The UnderWorld, & Van Helsing that one might be able to find?
I don’t mean, Bram Stoker’s Dracula, since it relates to Van Helsing, & The Underworld in the sense that it has Vampires in it, but are there any other new movies produced by these companies that are like these ones? Or, any which are yet to be released or discussed?
Thanks for your time, & you have a great site.
You said you’ve made some films; would any be available somewhere? If so, where, & for how much?
I’m asking this because you seem to have a good taste in movies, your movies probably have the same bite.
Also, where did you get the name Leopoldo from? I usually go by the name Leopold because of the King, & my name is Leo. See the correlation, etc? Good stuff.
So, is there a story behind your name?
Thanks for your time, keep up the great work with the site.
-Leo
Remelius said,
March 24, 2004 at 10:21 pm
I’ve seen the preview of the movie. Hugh Jackman looks like Alucard from “Hellsing” anime as hell,
i dunno
and the coat and the gun too (the only differ is its not red in color). shi+. This is kinda ripoff.
the only reason i wanna watch the movie is m a Hellsing anime fan, and just wanna c how the movie is.
if the movie could base on the anime, it would b the greatest thing to watch…
Van Helsing image
http://www.chud.com/graphics8/vanhelsing1.jpg
And here’s Alucard from Hellsing
http://www.devermore.net/surbrook/adaptionsanime/hellsing/arucard.jpg
http://www.anime-revolution.com/anime/hellsing/images/hellsing_18.jpg
how they look so similar…
Jysh said,
March 28, 2004 at 9:34 pm
I have to say that I too am a little disappointed with the way Van Helsing is depicted in the new movie. But no one can really make any judgements on the how the movie and the anime Hellsing will interact with each other, until we have analized wether the storyline fits in. I am the fan of Hellsing and have been tracing the Vampire heritage through the animes and even comic books that have been based on the original Dracula. They all seem to fit in quite well. In the Comic series, Dr Van Helsing was depicted as a vampire hunter in his younger days, which would make sense of the new Van Helsing movie. I have to admit however, that I am scared that the style which the film is shot is going to ruin my expectations in regards to Dr Van Helsing’s character, and the overall gothic feel of vampire cultures. But fuck all that, movies are for entertainment, and I am certainly looking forward to see wether this movie is going to be a one night stand or something more memorable.
kat said,
March 30, 2004 at 1:23 am
HELLSING RULLZ!!!! This should be better than his original movies in Dracula (boring oldies were he keeps killing Dracula and he keeps coming back. god damn it!)
kat said,
March 30, 2004 at 1:33 am
but I realy did whant to see it because i also love the anime so if its as good as that you ripper!
Meisuke said,
April 1, 2004 at 12:31 pm
Hi.Excuse me ‘cuz my english is not good.
I’ve read some of your post.I agree with some things:
a)Van Helsing looks a lot like Vampire Hunter D
b)Hellsing Anime has nothing to do with Van helsing movie
c)This movie seems to be very cool.
andy said,
April 1, 2004 at 3:38 pm
van hellsing is the knowledgable man from “dracula” hes the man who knows the deal about vampires and the such- hellsing the manga is based on van hellsings great granddaughter. so in essence van hellsing isnt a ripoff of anything but the original story (more or less)
Madiline said,
April 2, 2004 at 6:25 pm
O.o* Wow. I’m a fan of the anime but really, I think you fanboys are pushing it a bit far. I must agree with everything TK421 said and then some.
Van Helsing, the upcoming blockbuster, and Van Hellsing, the anime, are too different things. Really.
So they both wear trench coats…and? How many other vampire movies or animes does the main hunter, wear a trench coat? Blade, Alucard, Van Helsing in Dracula, D in Vampire Hunter D and countless others. And they both have guns, again, get in line with that one. But then Van Helsing has quite a bit of weaponary in this flick, from rotating (motorized?) ninja stars, to a nice looking automatic crossbow. I don’t even think the anime and movie take place in the same time. Not to mention all the added monsters in Van Helsing (there is a rumor more than the Drac., Wolfman and Frank’s monster will be involved.) The storyline isn’t even the same. So unless the priest in Van Helsing comes out of no where with wires or thread or whatever that was Walter (and that WOULD be nice to see in a live action movie) came out fighting with when they were under attack then I’m going to have to say that Van Helsing being a rip is more of a *wish* factor of the movie being a rip of the anime (which was ripped from Bram Stokers Dracula, in a sense)by fanboys than it actually being fact.
If anything, he resembles D more than Alucard. (If you look at the Van Helsing DVD set to come out, Van Helsing looks just LIKE Alucard. It’s called Van Helsing, the London Project and can be pre-ordered. And it is a cartoon, if not an anime.)
Not to mention Alcard is more of an insane badass (that I love) where as Van Helsing seems to be more serious with a spark of sense of humor that only sarcasm can deliver, but not insane.
Van Helsing seems more like a new spin on Bram Stolker’s Dracula than it being a rip off of the anime.
Just because they both have ‘Hellsing’ in the title, don’t make it the same thing.
But hey! We’ll see when the movie comes out.
Otherwise, I personally like Hellsing and can not wait to see Van Helsing. Sadly, I won’t get to see it the day it comes out because that it the night of my prom. ::cries::
(Please forgive all mispelled words above.)
KamirineGoddess said,
April 5, 2004 at 11:28 am
::Looks at AbramVan Helsing and Alucard:: Wow. Yeah. I REALLY see the resemblance between the two apart from the Trench Coat. *Note: Not even the same color, hat’s not even the same, neither is the outfit underneath.* I had no IDEA Van Helsing was really a vampire named Dracula and the guy he’s trying to stop just stole his name and his three wives (whom I don’t remember seeing in Hellsing) and we just can’t have THAT can we? I mean I had no idea! So Alucard shaved before the anime then and made his hair a little straighter, shorter? And I suppose Anna is really that british sounding girl and just dyed her hair brownish black and not only grew it longer, curled it and mysteriously got an older brother who just happens to be a werewolf as well—or maybe being a werewolf is his cover and he’s really that other kewl guy with the trench coat (the tan one) with those blade thingy’s. (But I could have sworn in the picture he had a gun…) I would someone PLEASE tell me the episode where Frankinstein and his monster came? I think I totally missed it! I can not BELIEVE that loser Steven Sommers ripped Van Helsing from such a good anime even though the character Van Vansing came first and the movie actually sounds like another version of the Dracula story, just focusing more on Abrame Van Helsing and adding more classic monsters that also, came before that anime. The nerve! Someone should really write an angry letter, man, I’m telling you.
o.O In the words of Madiline and TK421, know what your talking about BEFORE you make such obviously silly accusations. The only thing that was ripped off was the hat & trench coat (which isn’t made the same or even the same color), and I agree, he looks way more like D than Alucard.
ulf said,
April 8, 2004 at 6:21 pm
his stupid hat reminds me of Vampire Hunter D.
the hat has the same curve. Its a huge ripoff, and i bet its going to be done poorly
Havoc said,
April 9, 2004 at 2:46 pm
ugh…in case you guys havent noticed van helsing is a character in a book written long ago, the van helsing in the movie and alucard are basically the same person because theyre both made after the SAME STORY, why is alucard named differently?……alucard = dracula backwards….which would mean anti-dracula, he’s a monster slayer…..theres no rip off here, its a story thats been over-used again and again ever since the book was published
Serpentor said,
April 9, 2004 at 7:34 pm
If you want to gripe about a character from Hellsing that is misrepresented in the movie Helsing, for crying out loud leave Van Helsing alone! Hes long dead in the anime! The only character in both is Dracula(Alucard).. so gripe about that if Dracula turns out to be all nerdy or something. But man.. let me tell you, there have been so many nerdy draculas in movies that you probably will have no right to bash this one. But if youre a hellsing fan, the fact that they share the same lore should make you want to see this movie more I would think(you get to see Integra’s pops duke it out with Alucard.. sorta)
btw Alucard is In no way “anti” dracula.. In some lore, Alucard is an alias that Dracula used for himself once he was known.. in other lore, Alucard is sometimes draculas son. In Hellsing, since its said that he IS the grand mac-dad of all vampires throughout time and surely not some half breed, I am going with the conclusion that its an alias for Count Dracula.
Countess P said,
April 10, 2004 at 7:41 am
the van helsing in the movie and alucard are basically the same person because theyre both made after the SAME STORY,
Uh…just because both the movie and the anime are derived from the same story and/or myth, that by no means makes them the same person. Alucard as I understood it from the anime WAS Dracula, whereas in other stories or even games, like Castlevania and I THINK Vampire Hunter D (after seeing bloodlust), he’s Dracula’s son or a half-breed vampire. Van Helsing is hunting Dracula, so how could they be the same person? They just both are hunters…HOWEVER…if Van Helsing, out of some weird turn of events, ends up being Dracula’s son in the movie…then that’s still more like Vampire Hunter D than Hellsing.
why is alucard named differently?……alucard = dracula backwards….which would mean anti-dracula
That depends on the storyline. I remember in one story, Dracula’s son took the name Alucard because he wanted it to represent that he was the opposite of his father, even though they shared the same blood. You know, he wasn’t cruel or mean, etc. etc. As for him spelling it Alucard and he really is Dracula, I suppose that could be more of a alias than an anti Dracula thing. Cause I mean, he’s always going to be Dracula…
he’s a monster slayer…..theres no rip off here, its a story thats been over-used again and again ever since the book was published
Yeah, that story is just taken and added to with different twist here and there, which doesn’t bother me much, even though I love the original story–I just never liked Mina that much.
But I do think this promises to be if not a great movie, a fairly decent one. Or at least I hope it is.
Jinkaku said,
April 11, 2004 at 3:19 pm
LOL!
::squits at picture of Van Helsing::
::squints at picture of Alucard::
If you hold your eyes to where they are almost shut, then yeah, they look alike…
You dumbass…
-Jinkaku
Saraha said,
April 11, 2004 at 3:43 pm
As big of a fan as I am of Hellsing, I have to disagree that this movie is a rip off of it, even though there are simularities.
1. They both wear Trench Coats and hats–however–the style of the trench coat for Van Helsing is way more complicated and detailed where as Alucards is more simple, without the chains. The hats aren’t even the same size or height, Alucard’s is widers and Van Helsing’s is taller. The color of the outfits are different, as well as the gloves.
2. They both have weapons–however–Alucard has a gun and superpowers, Van Helsing (as far as we know) has a whole arsinal of weapons, spinning ninja stars, a crossbow, knives, etc.
3.They both have female sidekicks–however–Alucard is the Police girl’s sire and the Anna from Van Helsing is kinda not really Van Helsing’s sidekick, more like heroine that chooses to follow the hero because it will help her cause, not because she has too. They too, Anna and Police Girl, look nothing alike.
4. They both work for a secret organization–however–Alucard is forced to work for the Van Hellsing organization where as (as far as we can guess) Van Helsing does it by choice, to unravel the mysteries of his past and maybe even his future.
5. They both hunt creatures of the night–however–Van Helsing (I believe) is a human who hunts demons whereas Alucard is a demon who hunts other demons.
6. They ARE NOT the same person. I have no clue where THAT came from. Alucard is (I interpreted) Dracula, and Van Helsing is…uh…Van Helsing?? Van Helsing is hunting Dracula so how can they be the same person?
7. The storyline is not the same and not in the same place or time period.
Ronan MacKabe said,
April 12, 2004 at 9:59 am
I can’t believe how much anime these days seems to have washed up totally most people culture. No matter how much people on this board try to explain that Van Helsing as nothing to do with Hellsing no one seems to understand so let’s put it simple for the Hellsing fans. What they saw in the anime is a totally cheap story inspired from the great work of Bram Stoker’s Dracula, a classic of victorian litterature. As for the fact the japanese don’t seem to be able to read, they wrote Helsing with two “l” and the Van seems to have totally disapeared. They made an anime with totally no sense were even the great Vlad Dracula would serve human, everyone cultivated enough or fans of Bram Stoker’s work would no that he would -never- do such a thing. Plus the undead in that series have some totally ridiculous powers that have nothing do to with vampires. They are more of demons or something. Not to mention that stupid vampires hating silver shit, which grew popular since Blade, a total mystake from Wes Craven since silver is effective against WEREWOLVES, not the same thing.
So just don’t say the movie Van Helsing is a bad ripoff of that anime or anything cause if there is soemthing which is a total worthless ripoff with even no sense at all its this anime who seems mysteriously popular. I’m looking forward to the movie Van Helsing because I know that as a true vampire litterature and movie fan, I might not be disapointed by this one.
DestrPower said,
April 16, 2004 at 7:20 am
Iscariot Organization. All I can say to add to the debate. I suppose THAT was original as well. Making Van Helsing part of a super secret catholic organization that hunts vampires and the like? I don’t even recall Bram Stoker’s having that in it. That’s specifically Hellsing.
DestrPower said,
April 16, 2004 at 7:25 am
And Hellsing was never a rip of Dracula. It was “supposedly supposed to be a continuation.” or one of those “what if” or “alternate storyline” type things.
lucy said,
April 16, 2004 at 11:51 pm
Okay. For starters, Jackman is playing GABRIEL van Helsing, not Abraham. Secondly, the outfit does look a lot like Arucards…but do you think they know that? I don’t think it was an intentional rip-off, just a nod to the “tradittional vampire hunter outfit” . Also, it can’t be a ripoff of the Helsing Manga because the story is TOTALLY DIFFERENT. One characters wardrobe does not a ripoff make
Shan Shan said,
April 18, 2004 at 4:35 pm
Just because the character in the movie looks like “D” and the movie is called Van Hellssing… doesn’t mean its based on either Vampire Hunter D or the Hellssing series, nor does it mean it was inspired or ripped off from them…
Rònan MacKabe said,
April 18, 2004 at 7:33 pm
“Okay. For starters, Jackman is playing GABRIEL van Helsing, not Abraham.”
Just to mention man, in case you didn’t knew, Gabriel Van Helsing -is- Abraham Van Helsing. The name got changed just because Steven Sommers didn’t liked the name Abraham. And originaly the role was suppose to be played once again by Anthony Hopkins. For more info look on www.imdb.com
Yo said,
April 19, 2004 at 9:06 pm
I don’t care if it is a rip i’ll just continue watching the anime and watch the movie when it comes out and be happy ^.^
Diva Lee said,
April 20, 2004 at 10:29 am
Okay, this is ridiculous!
How can Van Helsing be ripped off from an anime that was already ripped to begin with?? The stories aren’t even the same, as are none of the characters except maybe Dracula.
“Oh my gosh he’s wearing the same outfit! He’s a total rip off!”
Try again. In just about every sigle vampire movie (except maybe Buffy) the hunter or someone of the like wears some form of trench coat, with or without the hat. That is just the style of the hunter to wear a long coat and hat, also given the time period the movie is set in, where the fashion was actually quite popular.
This movie was inspired by the old monster classics Dracula, Frankinstein, and the Wolfman. No where did Steve Sommers state he was inspired by Vampire Hunter D or Hellsing.
This conversation is about as valid as those fan boys who swear Castlevania: LOI is a rip off of Devil May Cry, even though the Castlevania saga began in like 1985.
But on the more important issue: I personally can’t wait to see Jackmen in screaming without a shirt in leather pants ;p Oh, and I want to see the movie too…
Just Me said,
April 20, 2004 at 10:32 am
I don’t know why this discussion is being held to begin with. We know it’s not a rip-off and if a few morons can’t tell the difference than let them wallow in their own stupidity.
Van Helsing is going to a great movie I personally can’t wait to see it!
Leopoldo said,
April 20, 2004 at 11:08 am
I leave comments open on my posts so people can have creative discussions. I will delete any more comments that are abusive, if they keep up I will close discussion down for this post. If you have something to contribute please do so without insulting other people.
Icewoman said,
April 21, 2004 at 11:22 am
i really think that van helsing will be good , the graphics might not be so hot you never know… maybe it want be shitty and it will have a good budget unlike “Evil dead” but a good movie
overall….”Hellsing” nice anime i think that
some people might get the impression from the names of the movie and anime……helsing & hellsing think about it… yeah i don’t think i saw any werewolves in the anime….so yeah i will most indefinatly like the movie!!!!!
sara said,
April 26, 2004 at 10:19 am
hugh jackman rock the way he kicks ass. he is the best and the baddest. im huge fan of his and i think his new movie rock all of his movies rocks big time
)))
Taya said,
April 26, 2004 at 7:04 pm
I can not WAIT for this flick! I’ve seen the website and it looks way better than before and plus it has this hot picture of Anna & Dracula under the media link.
And since Steven Sommers is the guy that did the mummy, I personally can’t WAIT to see it, it’s going to good, I know it is!
Eleven days and counting…
nina said,
May 2, 2004 at 8:12 pm
when you think about it Hellsing the anime was ripped off the novel Dracula, since Van Hellsing is the one that uses Mina to get to Dracula and all that nice stuff. I really look forward to it but I think its extremely silly to call it ripping off an anime when the anime itself was based off a novel and the image of a Vampire hunter has long been a trench coat and a gun/bowgun
Anyhows.. I really wanna see Hugh Jackman kick ass
Piper said,
May 4, 2004 at 5:16 pm
I can’t wait for the movie to come out. Van Helsing that is. I want to see if so bad ^_^ . I want dracula he’s mine
Piper said,
May 4, 2004 at 5:20 pm
I have this fanisnation with Dracula lately and I want him so bad. I also think guys with long hair and accents are hot and I want to have one for my own. But I”m satisfied with my b/f thou I would much rather have the guy whose playing dracula. He’s getting married to the chic that plays Verona the bride that dracula likes the best. I can’t wait to see the movie. Besides I found that was interesting. ^_^ I hope I enjoy as much as I’m hoping
Piper said,
May 4, 2004 at 5:30 pm
if you want to know as much as you seem to due. From the manga or anime Hellsing, Alucard is the son of Dracula hence the fact that he is a vampire himself. But unlike his father he is not evil. As for Van Helsing, when Sommers (or whatever his name is) made the movie, he probably never even heard of the manga Hellsing. Besides Hellsing doesn’t really have the same plot line as Van Helsing. As much as I love anime and all I think you guys need to chill.
It’s just a movie. I think you need to forget about the bram stroker’s version and the anime and just site back and watch a movie that Hugh Jackman, Cate Beinksill (sp?), Richard Roxburgh and Davied Weham (sp?)want you to enjoy. Just watch a movie that took time and effert to make and that people want to know and see. I think that the director had no intention of making it a ripoff he was just trying to make a film that he thought people would enjoy not sit there and tell other people it’s a ripoff. If your going to be immature about it then don’t watch the fricken movie okay. I don’t like reading or listening to complaints. So suck it up and don’t complain. It’s a lose/win situation.
IThinkNot said,
May 5, 2004 at 7:21 am
For the anime, Hellsing is the name of the institute that imprisoned Alucard… if you have two cents in you head.. Alucard is Dracula spelled backwards. Alucard/Dracula has no physical relation to the Hellsing institute. If you think about it, Van Helsing probably has something to do with the Hellsing institute… Call it a hunch. So, I don’t understand how people would even want to compare Van Helsing (Not personally referenced to, [except for his descendant, Integra Wingates Hellsing] but is the probable founder of the Hellsing institute in the anime) with Alucard(a vampire). Two different characters. Maybe they look similar with the outfits.. but hey, I don’t care.. I think either way they both look awesome.. heck, maybe the producers of the movie Van Helsing did in fact get some inspiration from the anime.. either way, just because it’s a neo-gothic type movie, I would not say it is a rip-off of any existing anime.
Now does this look like Van Helsing? I think not.
http://www.advfilms.co.uk/hellsing/intelligence/desktops/special05-800×600.jpg
btw, anyone else who has seen the Hellsing series,
Watch the series from start to finish and you’ll probably notice how Seras Victoria’s boobs get bigger with each passing minute.. I think the animators got bored near the end. Pretty funny by the final episode.
Piper said,
May 5, 2004 at 12:12 pm
I just say chill and leave it be okay. people need to stop complaining about it okay. It’s two different things
babyg said,
May 5, 2004 at 1:52 pm
I have to say, this movie looks kick ass. I watch lots of anime too, but like its been explained 500 times, this movie and Hellsing are not the same story, this movie was based on Bram Stoker’s Dracula from what the sites have said. So why is it when things are similar, everyone has to scream ripoff. Big floppy hat + trenchcoat= bad ass vampire hunter outfit in anime’s AND movies. I say we all just sit back and give the movie a chance, then slander it if it doesn’t do it for you. Alot of Anime’s are based off of older stories and legends, so why is it when this one is based on an awesome novel, everyone has to say its a ripoff. Obviously its not, because then you would have to say anime’s are a ripoff, and that wouldn’t be cool. I’ve seen in alot of movies character’s wear that style, why? because it looks awesome, and I’m sure before any of you got to see the full preview, if you saw a poster, you’d know it has to do with vampire hunting. Which I appreciate. Anime rules, Vampire movies rule, so this movie may do justice. I think hugh jackman is a very versatile great actor, along with some other great actors who I’m sure will give it there all in this movie. Thanks for your guy’s time =)
babyg said,
May 5, 2004 at 1:59 pm
Also, i have to agree with Piper. Guys with accents are so hot and long hair is so sexy to me, i think lord of the rings led me in that direction. my boyfriend is gonna grow out his hair, and he has black beautiful hair and blue green eyes with flecks of gold in them. oh yeah, gonna be sexy. hehe. he used to have long hair, he looked mmmmm. no accent though, but i forgive him too. lol. Awesome taste Piper, vampire’s can be sexy. hehe
dysm segovia said,
May 6, 2004 at 12:48 am
nice movie!!!!! give me some dvd plzzzzzzz
Somerandom guy said,
May 6, 2004 at 8:29 am
Just to end this, i think the only way to connect the upcoming movie and the anime is to say the both spawned from Dracula, the fictional character, which was came from Vlad…a real person…so no one ripped off anyone.
KamirineGoddess said,
May 6, 2004 at 11:33 am
I’m beginning to get a little worried now:
Every single review for this movie has the same complaints: That Kate B.’s character is unbearble, that’s it’s cliche` after cliche`, that there is more music than dialog and that it is so loud you need to bring ear plugs. The the storyline sucks in gerenral or makes absolute no sense and leaves too many loop holes.
Personally, my view on the story is: No one said this was a remake of Bram Stolkers Dracula.
But I bet you anything, it won’t stop me from seeing this movie. They panned Independance Day and whole lot of other great movies that were smash hits and personally, this one looks awsome to me.
And yes, in Hellsing I did notice the “boob” thing. ::Laughs::
Leopoldo said,
May 6, 2004 at 5:28 pm
I had a chance to see Van Helsing at an advanced screening and just posted my review for the movie. I am sorry to say that the movie is little more than a summer action flick but did have a lot of fun at it. You can read the full review at Film Roar: Van Helsing (2004)
Kagura said,
May 8, 2004 at 7:35 am
Hey, at first (when I saw the Van Helsing commercial), I really thought it was a ripoff of my much-loved series, Hellsing. Well after that, I don’t think Helsing is the bootleg version of the manga. I mean, Van Helsing is American and Hellsing is Japanese. I don’t think the people that produced the movie even heard of the manga. Well, Alucard is much hotter than that dude from Van Helsing, but that’s not the point. This movie has waaay different plots. I would say the plot of the movie is ridiculous compared to the plot of the manga. I mean, fighting old timers like Dracula is getting boring. Put some pizazz into it, man. About the boob thing, I’ve read the manga and that’s so true. Ha ha!
Piper said,
May 8, 2004 at 9:07 am
Thanks. He looks so sexy and like I said I have a fettish for guys with long hair. And he has a hot accent and Dracula is the most important character in the movie ^_^
Leirbag said,
May 8, 2004 at 7:03 pm
Hi, just dropping by…. ever tought of Van Helsing’s sequal.. If you look at Van Helsing the Vampire hunter and Alucard The Deamon hunter..They dont look alike.. Gabriel/abraham was sent by god.. and alucard son of Dracula was sent by The devil himself.
If the Sequal of Van helsing is comming up…
it would be Van Helsing Vs Alucard.. because Dracula is dead(altough he could be represented)…. if your a Fan of hellsing you should know that Integral is in the Family Line of Gabriel/Abraham Van Helsing right ?
Isnt it Strange that Integral and Alucard have a relationship ?.. Their in LuV FFS..:O…
so all i want to say is.. Gabriel/Abraham Van Helsing and Alucard Son Of Dracula.. arent the same or copies…-_^’
Leirbag said,
May 8, 2004 at 7:07 pm
BTW… Wouldnt it be Splendid if Alucard shows up @ Van Helsing 2 ?
Catty said,
May 10, 2004 at 5:14 pm
I saw this movie, and I have to say I really liked it, though many people say it had too many fantasy in it. But, hey, that’s the kind of movie I like!
and about the fighting Dracula getting boring comments, I have to say: If you really knew who Van Helsing was, then you should know he is the one who killed Count Dracula on the book, so making a movie out of it WITHOUT fighting Dracula in the first place would be, well, dumb. Don’t you think?
Sparks said,
May 12, 2004 at 1:00 pm
I went and saw the movie on Sunday, May 10th, and to be quite frank, you all have a point. The plot is nonexistant (or if it’s there I must have missed it while getting more popcorn), the lines are weak, the humor is forced, it’s a bundle of every chiche horror/action flick rolled into one, and THAT’S what makes it so bloody fun to watch. Well, that and my vampire fetish…did anyone else get goosebumps when Dracula’s leaning over Anna’s throat at the costume ball?
Anyway.
The special effects were a lot of fun, Anna’s an airhead, Carl tries to be comic relief WAY too hard, Gabriel needs to lose some of the whole “James Bond” thing (my vampiric idol is Vampire Hunter D, who kicks nine levels of butt with just a kantana and a couple of other cool blades), Dracula’s brides are super-sexy as both gigantic bats and women, and Dracula is beyond sexy in general.
The whole movie is corny as heck, but it’s fun to do the “cue music in 3-2-1…yep, there it is”, “check behind the door, bimbo”, and “how the hell does she manage to get mauled and still not bleed at all?”
All in all, if you’re looking for a fun action movie with super sexy actors and a cheesy plot (if you can FIND the plot, that is), then go see Van Helsing. If you’re looking for a good scary or dark movie, don’t waste your pocket change.
kimberly said,
May 14, 2004 at 10:52 pm
speechless!!!!!! A VERY GOOD MOVIE!!! will there be a second one????
Leirbag said,
May 20, 2004 at 5:22 am
Yuwp, there will be ..
Hugh Shitman.. has signed a contract for playing in the sequel.. so0.. just wait!
Jaimie said,
May 20, 2004 at 2:52 pm
I am very excited to see Van Helsing. I just got back from Universal Studios Hollywood and walked through the ride they had with movie props and some actual sets they used in the movie. Let me tell you not only once, but three times the scared the crap out of me. It was an awsome experience and realistic. I recommend and dare anyone to go through it themselves. This movie is just going to be that much better now.
Danika Lobo said,
May 27, 2004 at 10:24 am
hugh jackman is amazing! in evry way. i mean, how can u not love a movie with him acting in it. i havnt seen the movie yet, but wat a hottie!! mama sita! keanu reeves n hugh jackman- now thats a tough choice
Anonymous said,
May 28, 2004 at 9:20 pm
“I think of him as Van Helsings younger brother. For one thing, I dont like the name Abraham. I can’t name my lead character Abraham. That isnt going to cut it”.-Stephen Sommers, SFX Magazine
piper said,
May 29, 2004 at 6:51 pm
hey i saw the movie twice and I still love it, I have some many funny parts. My friend and i were watching it and at the part where Dracula turns into the bat thingy. I turned to my friend and when sarcastucally “yeah that’s attractive” we both laughed. Then when dracula yelled “live” I thought it was funny. And even after the 2nd time of seeing it I still cover my mouth and gasp when dracula dies. And I was talking to my friend and I was “dracula has three brides” and she was like “Oh yeah dracula is a pimp daddy” lol ^_^
I loved the movie. I thought it was brilliant. Richard Roxbugh was an excellent dracula but Anna was too pretty. She wore clothes that were like screaming “look at me I’m sexy and your not and I want you to look at my sexy ass and my breast.” that’s all that really bothered me. I think Richard Roxburgh should get an award for that.
You know despite the fact that I like johnny depp and he is a great actor and can play anypart I don’t think he would have made a good dracula. I definatley think Richard Roxburgh had it down to a tea. Of course it was hard to do the accent considering the face that richard is australian and australian and transylvanian accents don’t really together
kacie said,
May 30, 2004 at 10:54 am
yo!!!!!! i love this movie,its the bomb i love hugh and the wolfman he turns into im hooked. go see the movie
kacie
Deranged flutterby said,
May 31, 2004 at 2:32 am
someone said about the creators of van helsing probably not even knowing about anime, but i found out recently that there is an anime version of the van helsing film, with hugh jackman doing voice for van helsing. i think its called ‘the london assignment’.
if the film wasnt inspired or added to from any animes such as my all time faves “Hellsing” and “vampire hunter d” then why have they made a anime version? apparently theres another one to come also, i belive the title includes something about paris …
i see that the whole thing comes from bram stokers story, and that the whole character dress etc is basically generic of the vampire hunter theme, but really, why make an anime?
why were all the main characters good looking, ooozing wiht sex appeal and all the other people wallowed in their uglyness and squalor.
that annoys me about modern film.
the attemt at adding in the hint of love and attraction between characters was a sad attempt to satisfy a greater target audience.
i really dont see why they needed to have the werewolf and frankenstein in it.
it detracted from the movie in my view. and the end reminded me of the lion king - with the girl’s face and people in the sky.
i walked out thinking about the lion king.
also the movie was so predictable i ended up making it more interesting for my sister and i by joking about everything in it.
im glad i wasnt the one that payed for me to see it, though it would have been worth my time if i had m&ms to throw at people.
Sum guy said,
June 5, 2004 at 6:16 am
all you people that think this movie is a ripoff of the anime helsing or vampire hunterd are crazy, the movie character van helsing is modeled off professor van helsing of legend, and in vampire hunter d and helsing anime the main character is actually dracula himself, get it vampire hunter D for dracula, and alucard from helsing is dracula spelt backwards, so the main character in the movie is totally different.
Silver said,
June 11, 2004 at 12:51 pm
How about this– You can’t say that it’s a ripoff of Hellsing or Vampire Hunter D unless you’re going to say it’s a ripoff of Dracula (the one that Keanu Reeves was in) and every other vampire movie out there. Yes, it’s a cliched movie. Yes, it does have contradictory religious statements all throughout it.
But I think that’s all a part of the movie.
Enjoy it for what it is– a triumph for vampire, werewolf, and paranormal fans everywhere– instead of tearing it down for what it ISN’T.
And as far as Van Helsing being EXACTLY like Alucard from Hellsing, I don’t recall seeing Hugh Jackman wearing a bright red coat or yellow round sunglasses. And I don’t ever recall Alucard wearing a cloth to hide his face.
The hat is about the only thing they have in common.
But anyway, I just figured I’d put my two cents in.
The Answer said,
June 14, 2004 at 10:09 pm
First off, the guy that said D was Dracula is dead wrong. D is not Dracula but he is the son of Dracula himself but part human because his mother is human. Secondly, Alucard can be the real Dracula who was called “Vlad the Impaler” if you noticed his face at the end of the anime he looks exactly like Vlad. However, if you take Castlevania into the picture then you can consider him to be the son of Dracula because he is according to the game.
Cat D. said,
June 16, 2004 at 1:05 pm
dude i saw the movie like a bizzlion timez and i still wanna see it! the charcterz were fabulous! Van Helsing and Drucla were really hott! this is a movie for the agez!
Anonymous said,
June 16, 2004 at 1:20 pm
“anime version of the van helsing film, with hugh jackman doing voice for van helsing. i think its called ‘the london assignment’.”
Wasn’t an anime, but rather an american cartoon there is a stylistic, and quality difference. It also wasn’t a version of the Van Helsing film, but a prequel.
Anonymous said,
June 16, 2004 at 1:24 pm
Oh, and the paris thing you were talking about, its a Comic one-shot called “From Beneath the Rue Morgue” or some such thing, not an anime or cartoon. It it’s an interlude between the paris scene, and his return to the Vatican.
piper said,
July 2, 2004 at 11:16 am
People. Alucard is not not dracula. Alucard is the son of dracula. That’s why it’s spelled backwards to signify that he is related to dracula but is not dracula himself. It’s like in Castlevania. They are related father and son.
Sorry I know way to much. Lol
Morgan Sigler said,
July 16, 2004 at 1:22 am
I think Van Helsing is my favorite movie I went to go see the first showing on the first day (May 7,2004) after that I couldn’t get enough of it so every time I went to a showing I sat in the front seat even my first time I sat in the front I jump always at the part when Hugh/Van Helsing is digging in the egg and the babby dracula pops out but that’s what I love about it! I went to see it five-seven times in theatres and now I can’t wait until September 28th! It is the best monster movie around.
rey said,
October 20, 2004 at 7:38 pm
hey dracula had another child this time its a girl
Sibella Daughter of Dracula there no info on her that i can find but yes he does have a daughter and Sibella is her name.
i dont have a email address yet
Lee said,
December 1, 2004 at 10:44 am
Where can i get a vanhelsing lesther coat ive been hunting 4 one since ive seen the film ?
Leighann said,
March 10, 2006 at 12:48 pm
Hey guys and gurls i absolutely love vampire movies and i think the person who was dracula in Van Helsing was cool and i hope i get to meet huge jackman a.k.a. (Van Helsing) one day i think he is so hot
Givan said,
June 30, 2007 at 6:28 pm
La pelicula esta buena, el final inesperado, pero esta muy buena. Saludos
Timothy said,
October 31, 2007 at 11:05 am
I’m looking for a Van Helsing leather coat. Does anyone know where I can get one?