Abigail (2024 film)
Abigail | |
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![]() Theatrical release poster | |
Directed by | |
Written by |
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Produced by |
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Starring | |
Cinematography | Aaron Morton |
Edited by | Michael Shawver[1] |
Music by | Brian Tyler |
Production companies |
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Distributed by | Universal Pictures |
Release dates |
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Running time | 109 minutes[2] |
Country | United States |
Language | English |
Abigail is an upcoming American monster horror film directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett from a screenplay written by Stephen Shields and Guy Busick. Based on and a reimagining of the 1936 Universal Classic Monsters film Dracula's Daughter, the film stars Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, William Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud (in his final film role), Alisha Weir, and Giancarlo Esposito.
Abigail will have its world premiere at the Overlook Film Festival on April 7, 2024, and is scheduled to be released by Universal Pictures on April 19, 2024.
Premise
The film focuses on a group of kidnappers who capture and must watch over Abigail, the daughter of a powerful underworld figure from whom they demand a $50 million ransom. However, they soon get more than what they bargain for when they realize that they are trapped inside with no ordinary little girl.[3]
Cast
- Melissa Barrera as Joey[4]
- Dan Stevens as Frank[1][5]
- Alisha Weir as Abigail[6]
- Kathryn Newton as Sammy[7]
- William Catlett as Rickles[1]
- Kevin Durand as Peter[8][1]
- Angus Cloud as Dean[1]
- Giancarlo Esposito as Lambert[9][1]
- Matthew Goode[1]
Production
Development
In April 2023, it was reported that Radio Silence Productions was developing a monster thriller film for Universal Pictures, with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett attached to direct, with Chad Villella serving as producer alongside William Sherak, Paul Neinstein and James Vanderbilt at Project X Entertainment, while Stephen Shields and Guy Busick would write the screenplay. The project was stated to be a modern-day adaptation of one of the Universal Classic Monsters characters similar in approach to The Invisible Man (2020) or Renfield (2023), with the synopsis being described as "a unique take on legendary monster lore and will represent a fresh, new direction for how to celebrate classic characters". Originally intended to be Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett's next project following the release of the fifth Scream installment, the duo delayed its realization until after Scream VI.[10]
The project was later stated to have originally been titled Dracula's Daughter, the same name as the 1936 film upon which it is based;[6] with Universal restating that while they had considered a singular continuity with The Mummy (2017), each release will continue to be "rooted in the horror genre, with no restrictions on budget, rating or genre. They are not part of a shared interconnected universe, which allows each film to stand on its own. This new direction is filmmaker-driven, inviting innovative filmmakers with original, bold ideas for these characters to develop the stories and pitch them."[4][6][5][8] The film was officially titled Abigail in January 2024.[11]
Casting
In April 2023, Melissa Barrera was cast one of the main roles of the film after previously appearing in the filmmaking duo's Scream films.[4] The following month, Dan Stevens, Kevin Durand, Alisha Weir, Kathryn Newton, Angus Cloud, and Will Catlett joined the cast.[5][8][6][7] In June 2023, it was announced that Giancarlo Esposito was cast in a supporting role.[9] Weir, known for her role as Matilda Wormwood in the 2022 Netflix musical film, was later revealed to be playing Dracula's daughter.[12]
Filming
Principal photography began on June 30, 2023, in Dublin, Ireland,[13] under the working title Abducting Abigail,[14] but filming was suspended in July due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[15] Aaron Morton serves as the cinematographer.[16] Cloud finished filming his scenes prior to his death on July 31, 2023.[17] Filming wrapped on December 15 of the same year.[18]
Music
Brian Tyler composed the film's score; he collaborated with Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett on prior projects.[19]
Release
Abigail will have its world premiere at the Overlook Film Festival on April 7, 2024.[20] It is scheduled to be released by Universal Pictures on April 19, 2024.[7]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Abigal Production Information". Universal Pictures. Getty Images. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
- ^ "Abigail (18)". BBFC. April 4, 2024. Retrieved April 4, 2024.
- ^ Couch, Aaron (January 11, 2024). "Monster Movie from Scream Directors Gets Title, Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (April 13, 2023). "'Scream' Star Melissa Barrera Reunites With Radio Silence On Secret Monster Movie For Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved April 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c Kroll, Justin (May 11, 2023). "Dan Stevens Joins Radio Silence's Secret Monster Movie At Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Kit, Borys (May 9, 2023). "Matilda: The Musical Star Alisha Weir Joins Melissa Barrera in Untitled Monster Movie From Scream VI Filmmakers (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ a b c D'Alessandro, Anthony (May 12, 2023). "Radio Silence Universal Monster Thriller Adds Angus Cloud, Kathryn Newton & Will Catlett; Sets Spring 2024 Release". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ a b c Grobar, Matt (May 12, 2023). "Kevin Durand Joins Radio Silence's Monster Thriller For Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 12, 2023. Retrieved May 12, 2023.
- ^ a b Kroll, Justin (June 14, 2023). "Giancarlo Esposito Joins Radio Silence's Secret Monster Movie At Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 14, 2023. Retrieved June 14, 2023.
- ^ Kroll, Justin (April 11, 2023). "'Scream' Filmmaking Team Radio Silence Reunites With Project X On Untitled Monster Movie At Universal". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on April 11, 2023. Retrieved April 11, 2023.
- ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 11, 2024). "Universal's Melissa Barrera & Angus Cloud Monster Thriller From Radio Silence Gets Title & Trailer". Deadline Hollywood. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
- ^ Couch, Aaron (January 11, 2024). "Monster Movie from 'Scream' Directors Gets Title, Trailer". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on January 11, 2024. Retrieved January 11, 2024.
Sources previously told The Hollywood Reporter that the child is the daughter of Dracula.
- ^ Geisinger, Gabriella (June 23, 2023). "Dan Stevens, Melissa Barrera monster thriller filming in Dublin". Kemps Film and TV Production Services Handbook. Archived from the original on June 23, 2023. Retrieved June 23, 2023.
- ^ "Abducting Abigail". Production List. Film & Television Industry Alliance. May 1, 2023. Archived from the original on October 30, 2023. Retrieved May 1, 2023.
- ^ Gonzalez, Umberto (July 13, 2023). "Here Are All The Movies Affected by the SAG-AFTRA Strike From 'Deadpool 3' to 'Mission: Impossible 8' (Photos)". TheWrap. Archived from the original on July 14, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ^ "Aaron Morton Resume" (PDF). Murtha Skouras Agency. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 29, 2024. Retrieved January 29, 2024.
- ^ Vlessing, Etan (August 1, 2023). "Angus Cloud Completed Filming on Two Upcoming Films". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on August 1, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
- ^ Echebiri, Makuochi (December 18, 2023). "Universal Monster Thriller From Radio Silence Wraps Filming". Collider. Archived from the original on December 23, 2023. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
- ^ "Brian Tyler to Reteam with Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett on 'Abigail'". Film Music Reporter. January 11, 2024. Archived from the original on January 12, 2024. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
- ^ Grobar, Matt (March 6, 2024). "Universal Vampire Flick Abigail Set To Close Out Overlook Film Festival – View Full Lineup". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 13, 2024.
External links
- 2024 films
- 2024 horror thriller films
- American horror thriller films
- American vampire films
- Films about ballet
- Films affected by the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike
- Films directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett
- Films produced by James Vanderbilt
- Films scored by Brian Tyler
- Films set in country houses
- Films with screenplays by Guy Busick
- Dracula films
- Universal Monsters
- Universal Pictures films
- Upcoming films