"Black Phone director Scott Derrickson claims that Bob Weinstein asked him to work on the film's script, even though the producer said it was "terrible," because "it's called Dracula 2000, " and the tie-in to the upcoming millennium was too good to pass up. The resulting movie was an obvious rush job that executive producer Wes Craven publicly lamented, but amid the movie's pure "how do you do, fellow kids" nature are glimmers of something more fascinating and challenging."
"There are vague references to key scenes, and familiar character names are used, but technically, this is a sequel of sorts. The Van Helsing family has kept Dracula (played by pre- 300 Gerard Butler) locked away in an attempt to determine the origin of vampirism, but now he's free and chasing hot women through New Orleans, one of whom is the estranged daughter of the vampire hunter who chained him in his coffin."
"Dracula 2000's score is loaded with songs by System of a Down, Marilyn Manson, and Saliva, and in that regard, it's not unlike another vampire movie of the era: the misguided sequel to Interview with the Vampire, Queen of the Damned. Like Queen, Dracula 2000 was made quickly to cash in on these already-fleeting trends, and it makes for an incongruous viewing experience."
Dracula inspires continual cinematic re-imaginings, with recent diverse versions emerging in 2025. Bram Stoker's novel rarely receives faithful adaptation, but its foundations let filmmakers explore contemporary themes. Dracula 2000 was driven largely by its title and a perceived millennium tie-in, with Scott Derrickson recounting Bob Weinstein's request despite the producer calling the script terrible. The film was rushed and drew public criticism from executive producer Wes Craven. The plot loosely links to Stoker via Van Helsing lore and follows a freed Dracula in New Orleans. The movie pursues 1990s vampire trends and nu-metal aesthetics, featuring bands like System of a Down, Marilyn Manson, and Saliva.
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