The Cult of Dracula live-action adaptation just got a major upgrade, and it is now officially being developed into a feature film. 

In an exclusive interview with GoCollect, Cult creator Rich Davis confirmed that BR Films has taken over production. Rather than being adapted into a television series as was initially planned, it will be a full-length, 90-minute movie, and the wheels are already turning. 

Up to this point, COD was being developed by Sure Pictures as a series with Candyman himself, Tony Todd, set to star. According to Davis, BR Films is hoping to keep Todd on the project and the studio looks to add the likes of Sophia Bush (John Tucker Must Die, One Tree Hill), Kristi Murdock (Spring Break Nightmare, Them), and Claudia Jordan (Middle Men, S1M0NE).

Davis added that, at this point, it is not clear if the movie will be released in theaters or streaming. 

Based on the hit indy comic of the same name, COD is a modern retelling of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Told over three parts—Cult of Dracula, Rise of Dracula, and Reign of Dracula—the tale expands on Stoker’s iconic work by characterizing the most famous of vampires as more of a title rather than a single person. As the larger story unfolds, Davis’ Dracula begins her conquest of humanity, unleashing a reign of terror unlike anything before.

The world of Cult of Dracula won’t be done once the film is released. Following the movie, fans can expect a six-episode animated series that will pick up the story’s next chapter. Depending on the movie and series’ reception, there could be spinoffs in the works as well, including Davis’ next comic, Prometheus in Chains. “We’ve discussed in depth my intentions to build a shared horror universe based around Mother Dracula from Cult,” Davis said. “I chose to go with BR Films over some of the other production companies because they were very interested in building that world.”

At the moment, the film is in the early stages of development, but Davis is hopeful full production will begin sometime in the next four-to-six months. When should the final cut be ready for viewers? Davis said that’s part of the movie magic. “It’s film, and film moves at its own timeline. In this stage of production, we are contacting actor agents and setting up auditions.”

The budget, he added, is somewhere in the $750,000 and $1.5 million range. While that is no spare change for the average person, it’s considered low budget in the film industry. However, that could be an advantage in this particular genre since a small budget means turning a profit is much more feasible. 

“Making a low-budget horror film is basically like printing money. There’s such a potential for it to turn into a runaway success,” Davis explained, hoping Cult follows in the footsteps of other low-budget horror films like The Blair Witch Project and Paranormal Activity, both of which were made on miniscule budgets and became enormous successes. 

Obviously, the change from a television adaptation to a feature film elevates Cult of Dracula in mainstream eyes. That goes double for comic collectors, and it will have an indelible impact on COD #1’s collectability. At the moment, the standard cover has been selling for $50 for a graded 9.8, which could be a low-risk/high-reward gamble if the movie is a hit.

While you catch up on all three chapters of Cult of Dracula, be sure to keep on the lookout for Prometheus in Chains, which will be released on May 6. Meanwhile, Davis is living the dream of aspiring comic writers everywhere, but how does it feel to see your creation being brought to life?

“Pick an emotion,” he said. “I don’t know how to process it all. It’s surreal.”

*Any perceived investment advice is that of the freelance blogger and does not represent advice on behalf of GoCollect.