Movies

Robert Pattinson as Dracula in Chloe Zhao’s Next Film? The Truth Behind the Buzz

Robert Pattinson as Dracula in Chloe Zhao’s Next Film? The Truth Behind the Buzz
Image credit: Legion-Media

X is buzzing that Robert Pattinson is sinking his teeth into Chloé Zhao’s Dracula, with One Battle After Another breakout Chase Infiniti reportedly on board. Nothing official yet, but whispers claim both have locked deals for Zhao’s reimagining of the iconic vampire.

File this under: juicy but not official. Rumors are swirling that Robert Pattinson could headline Chloe Zhao's 'Dracula' — and yes, that would be a full-circle moment for a guy who spent his early 20s glittering in daylight.

What kicked this off

An X post making the rounds claims Pattinson — along with 'One Battle After Another' star Chase Infiniti — has locked deals to star in Zhao's reimagined take on 'Dracula.' The post even waved around a supposed Letterboxd listing as proof. Problem: that Letterboxd screengrab is not authentic. Also, the actual page for the movie still shows no cast at all.

So, no paperwork we know of. But it is not coming out of nowhere. Back in 2023, there were reports that Pattinson was in talks for Zhao's take. And Zhao herself is back in awards chatter thanks to 'Hamnet,' which never hurts when you are trying to get a studio project moving.

Why Pattinson makes sense here

Pattinson has spent the post-'Twilight' years swerving hard into filmmaker-first choices: Robert Eggers's 'The Lighthouse,' Bong Joon Ho's 'Mickey 17,' Matt Reeves's 'The Batman.' The original 'Twilight' run was a cultural juggernaut, but critically it was a mixed bag. For context: the five films generally sit in the 4.8–5.6 range on IMDb, with Rotten Tomatoes scores mostly between 26% and 49% (audience scores hover around 60%–72%). In other words, he has already done the vampire thing, and then some — but under Zhao, this would be a completely different animal.

So, what is Zhao's 'Dracula' supposed to be?

This project was first announced in 2021 as a Universal collaboration with Zhao. Updates have been scarce, but in 2023 she finished a script that reframes the myth as a futuristic western with a sci-fi streak. The hook: Dracula wakes up far down the timeline, in a world that has moved on without him. Tonally, expect Zhao's long-standing obsession with characters on the margins — outsiders, drifters, people trying to belong — baked into a genre package that does not look or feel like anything from 'Twilight.'

Where things stand right now

  • Announced in 2021 with Universal and Chloe Zhao attached to write/direct.
  • Script completed in 2023; described as a futuristic western with a sci-fi twist.
  • Premise centers on Dracula waking up many years in the future.
  • Theme focus: lives on the fringes of society — very much in Zhao's wheelhouse.
  • No official casting yet; the movie's online listings have not added any cast.
  • Current momentum: Zhao has awards buzz for 'Hamnet,' which could help kick this forward.
  • Caveat: if Pattinson is actually onboard, scheduling with 'The Batman Part 2' could slow the timeline.

The bottom line on the rumor

As of now, there is smoke but no fire. The X claim name-checking Pattinson and Chase Infiniti is unverified, and the screenshot floating around is bogus. That said, Pattinson leading a moody, idiosyncratic, future-set 'Dracula' from Zhao? That tracks — and would be a clever way to revisit his vampire past without repeating it.

Would Pattinson make a good Dracula? I am firmly in the 'yes, let him get weird with it' camp. Your move, Universal.

PS: If you are feeling nostalgic, 'The Twilight Saga' is streaming on Hulu in the US.