Dracula Spinoff Renfield is an Extremely Violent Comedy, Says Robert Kirkman

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Robert Kirkman calls his upcoming Dracula spinoff, Renfield, an extremely violent comedy. Previously, Universal had plans for an interconnected universe of monster movies called the Dark Universe, which would have included a new take on Dracula, but those original plans have since fallen apart. Now, Renfield is part of the studio’s reevaluated plan to produce films based on their classic movie monster legacy. 

Renfield will focus on Dracula's servant from Bram Stoker’s original 1897 gothic horror novel. In the novel, Renfield is an inmate thought to be suffering from delusions that compel him to eat living creatures in the hopes of obtaining immortality. Eventually, it is revealed that Renfield is being compelled by Dracula, who subsequently offers him immortality in exchange for worship. Yet, the brief moments when Renfield uses his conscience eventually leaves him beaten and broken at the hands of Dracula’s wrath. 

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Speaking on the Fat Man Beyond Podcast (via ComingSoon), Robert Kirkman described Renfield as a comedy that is extremely violent. Kirkman, who wrote the original pitch, will be serving as a producer on the film, which is also described as being similar to his popular animated Amazon Prime series, Invincible. 

“We’re doing this cool movie for Universal that’s a focus on Renfield,” Kirkman said. “It’s a story about him being Dracula’s henchman and how shitty a job that is. It’s a fun, extremely violent comedy because I’ve got a crutch, and it’s violence.”

Leigh Whannell’s The Invisible Man proved to Universal and viewers alike that there is a place for monsters in the modern world. And viewers have yet to see Renfield as a fleshed-out character despite memorable performances by Dwight Frye in the 1931 Dracula movie and Tom Waits in Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The lessened restrictions at Universal have allowed for a number of creature-based movies to move forward with the studio, including Elizabeth Banks’ Invisible Woman and the Ryan Gosling-led Wolfman film. Karyn Kusama’s upcoming Dracula film will also ensure that Renfield won’t be alone in carrying on the legacy of Bram Stoker’s creation. 

Robert Kirkman is sure to create a satisfying story for the minor Dracula character. The Walking Dead co-creator is no stranger to gore, especially for creatures of the undead variety. It should exciting to see how a film that involves so much death manages to also be a hilarious comedy, but again, Kirkman's previous work shows he's capable of keeping things funny while not shying away from blood and guts. Still, viewers suffering from entomophobia should consider themselves warned.