Stuart Beattie’s next project, I, Frankenstein, will be shot in Australia in January, it has been announced.
While no location has been confirmed, the film – based on a DarkStorm Studios graphic novel by Kevin Grevioux – will star Aaron Eckhart, who is best known for playing Two-Face in massive hit The Dark Knight.
Beattie, who directed last year’s biggest Australian film – Tomorrow, When The War Began – penned the monster tale and will sit in the director's chair. When announced in March that the film was going to be the next project from Beattie – a highly-sought screenwriter who wrote the Pirates of the Caribbean series and Collateral – it sparked confusion about the Tomorrow sequel. It is still unknown if he will direct the follow-up to the massive local film, which was scheduled to go into production last month.
I, Frankenstein, which originally had Underworld: Rise of the Lycans director Patrick Tatopoulos attached at the top, will bring back classic monster characters such as Frankenstein’s Monster, The Invisible Man and Dracula.
The film tells the story of Frankenstein’s creature, Adam (Eckhart), who has survived into the present day due to a genetic quirk in his creation. Making his way to a dark, gothic metropolis, he finds himself caught in an all-out, centuries-old war between two immortal clans.
“Mary Shelley's [Frankenstein] story is about the creation of the first human being. This is the story about that being, becoming human,” Beattie said in a statement.
It will be produced by Hopscotch Features’ Andrew Mason (Tomorrow). Joining Mason on producing duties include Richard Wright, Tom Rosenberg and Gary Lucchesi.
Hopscotch Films’ managing director Troy Lum said the company had wanted to work with Beattie on a local film and this opportunity – which could be a potential franchise – will expand the relationship with Lakeshore Entertainment. Hopscotch is also working on a new project by Robert Luketic, Brilliant, which is also set to be shot in Australia within the next five months.
Hopscotch/eOne will distribute I, Frankenstein locally, while Lionsgate Films will handle US distribution. Lakeshore will handle international sales.