A Bela Lugosi biopic is in development from Leonardo DiCaprio. The Hungarian actor is best known for being the first actor to bring the iconic character of Count Dracula to life in the classic 1931 Universal monster movie, Dracula.
According to ᴅᴇᴀᴅline, the Bela Lugosi biopic is in development at Universal Pictures from Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Davisson’s Appian Way Productions, and producers Alex Cutler and Darryl Marshak. Representatives for Universal declined to comment.
The screenplay comes from Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, the writers behind Tim Burton’s Ed Wood (1994), which follows the тιтular filmmaker’s friendship with Bela Lugosi near the end of his life, with Martin Landau earning an Academy Award for playing him.
Unlike Ed Wood, the upcoming film will follow a young Bela Lugosi, following his rapid ascent to fame as one of cinema’s most iconic figures. It will trace his journey from emigrating from Hungary to achieving stardom through his portrayal of Dracula on Broadway and in Hollywood, and later, his dramatic decline after turning down the role of Frankenstein, a role that ultimately made his future rival Boris Karloff a star.
Although sources emphasize that the project is still in its early stages, its origins are noteworthy. It was first pitched to Universal about two years ago and has been quietly developing ever since. Additionally, producers Alex Cutler and Darryl Marshak are industry veterans and first cousins who have been pursuing a Bela Lugosi biopic for many years, dating all the way back to their teenage years.
Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski are two of Hollywood’s most acclaimed screenwriters who are known for their unconventional “anti-biopic” approach. Over the years, they have crafted several award-winning roles for actors, with their credits including The People vs. Larry Flynt, Man on the Moon, Big Eyes, Dolemite Is My Name, and American Crime Story, which earned them multiple Emmy Awards.
Though Lugosi was never able to escape the shadow of Dracula, the role secured his legacy as a cornerstone of Universal’s legendary monster pantheon, one that continues to be celebrated today. And with Halloween on the horizon, there’s no better moment to revisit the performances that made Bela Lugosi a star.
Béla Lugosi
- Birthdate
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October 20, 1882
- Birthplace
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Lugoj, Kingdom of Hungary (now Romania)
- Notable Projects
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Dracula, Son of Frankenstein, White Zombie (1932), Bud Abbott Lou Costello Meet Frankenstein, Glen or Glenda
- Family
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István Blaskó, Paula de Vojnich, Bela G. Lugosi, Vilma Lugosi, László Lugosi, Lajos Lugosi
- Professions
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Actor, Politician
- Height
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6 feet 1 inch
