The 2004 action-horror film Van Helsing, featuring Hugh Jackman, has arrived on the Prime Video platform. While the movie remains a cult curiosity, its recent streaming availability comes as Universal looks toward a different corner of its monster universe.
The $170 million attempt to replicate The Mummy's success
Universal Pictures attempted to build a cinematic universe by blending horror with action-adventure, a strategy spearheaded by director Stephen Sommers. As reported by the source, Sommers first found massive success with the 1999 film The Mummy, which earned $422.5 million on an $80 million budget. Interestingly, Van Helsing was released exactly five years to the day after The Mummy premiered in theaters, signaling a deliberate attempt to maintain momentum within the genre.
The 2004 Van Helsing film featured Hugh Jackman as the titular monster hunter, battling iconic creatures like Dracula, werewolves, Frankenstein's Monster, and Mr. Hyde. Much like his work on The Mummy, Sommers aimed to transform classic horror figures into characters suited for a sprawling action spectacle.
A 24 percent Rotten Tomatoes score and a $300 million global haul
Despite its $300 million worldwide gross , Van Helsing was widely viewed as a commercial disappointment relative to its $160 to $170 million production budget.. The report notes that only $120 million of that total came from North American theaters, suggesting the film's appeal was heavily weighted toward international markets.
Critical reception for the film remained largely negative, evidenced by its 24 percent score on Rotten Tomatoes. while some viewers found the film to be an entertaining spectacle that did not take itself too seriously, many critics at the time felt the lack of narrative depth was a significant flaw.
Why the 2027 Mummy reunion leaves Hugh Jackman behind
Fans of the original Mummy trilogy have a reason to celebrate, as a new film is slated for 2027 that will reunite Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and John Hannah. However, this revival does not appear to include the Van Helsing characters. According to the report, Hugh Jackman has moved on to other major roles, most notably his long-running portrayal of Wolverine, making a revival of his 2004 character unlikely.
Will the return of Brendan Fraser reignite interest in Universal's monster footnotes?
One major question remains regarding Universal's long-term strategy for its monster-themed properties. While the 2027 Mummy film focuses on the original trio, it is unclear if the studio intends to integrate other "unofficial" sequels like Van Helsing or The Scorpion King into a more cohesive shared universe. Additionally, the source does not clarify if the success of the upcoming Mummy film will lead to a re-evaluation of the 2004 film's place in the franchise's history.
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