Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter

Fox Home Entertainment has revealed details for its Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray and DVD which is arriving on October 23rd.

The film - which opened in the midst of the summer movie season - explores the secret life of Abraham Lincoln before he became President, and the untold story that shaped our nation.

Tim Burton produced and Timur Bekmambetov directed this adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith's novel.

Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Rufus Sewell star. Head inside for a list of bonus content.

An audacious concept and over the top action sequences make Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter worth checking out as long as you're on board for vampire killing presidents.

This film is based on the book by Seth Grahame-Smith. Everyone thinks that they know the story of Abraham Lincoln, but the truth is far stranger than the fiction. As a young boy, Abraham Lincoln's mother is killed by a vampire known as Jack Barts. Lincoln grows up seeking vengeance on the monster, but when he has his chance to kill Barts, he finds himself woefully unprepared. He is only saved at the last second by a vampire hunter named Henry Sturgess. Sturgess takes Lincoln under his wing as an apprentice vampire hunter. Lincoln refines his fighting skills and vampire hunting techniques. When he is ready, Sturgess sends Lincoln to Springfield, Illinois to start ridding the town of vampires, but Lincoln finds himself torn between his duty as a vampire killer, his blooming political career, and his newfound love for Mary Todd.

Going into Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, my biggest question was what the tone of the movie would be. Would they nod and wink at the camera, fully acknowledging what they were doing was absurd? Would it be funny? Would it be serious? There were a lot of different ways they could go with this. Ultimately, they ended up playing it totally serious. As young Abraham Lincoln swings his axe around and 3D blood spurts out of the screen, they play it the same way they would in any action-horror movie. It just so happens that the action hero is also the former president. And for the most part this serious approach does work. There were times when I would sit back and realize, "I'm watching Abraham Lincoln kill vampires with an axe." It would feel like it was some sort of "Saturday Night Live" skit of a "Funny or Die" parody, but then you'd be immersed back in the story again and go along for the ride. It's a bizarre, strange mix that they actually make work fairly well. The sheer audacity of the filmmakers to create a movie called Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and get it on the screen is worth a tip of the top hat.

ShockTillYouDrop.com this week attended the New York Junket for Timur Bekmambetov's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and had a chance to talk with actors Benjamin Walker and Anthony Mackie, who play Abraham Lincoln and his childhood friend Willie Johnson, whose fight with racism has such a lasting impact on the future President, as well as Bekmambetov, author/screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith and producer Tim Burton. Rufus Sewell and Dominic Cooper play two vampires on different sides of the battle in which Lincoln gets caught up in, while Mary Elizabeth Winstead plays his wife Mary Todd Lincoln.

Shock Till You Drop has the third and final installment of the Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter motion comic book.  We started hosting the comic last week - you can begin reading by clicking this link.

Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jimmi Simpson, Robin McLeavy, Alan Tudyk and Rufus Sewell star in the film.

Yahoo! UK & Ireland has released what they are calling a "music trailer" for Twentieth Century Fox's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter featuring Linkin Park and clips from the June 22 release.

The Timur Bekmambetov-directed film stars Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jimmi Simpson, Robin McLeavy, Alan Tudyk and Rufus Sewell. In the movie written by Seth Grahame-Smith, and based on his book, President Lincoln's mother is killed by a supernatural creature, which fuels his passion to crush vampires and their slave-owning helpers.

While Seth Grahame-Smith's novel Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is coming to theaters on Friday, thanks to the likes of director Timur (Wanted) Bekmambetov  and producer Tim Burton, his earlier mash-up novel Pride and Prejudice and Zombies still seems to be in development hell in terms of getting made after going through a number of directors including David O. Russell and Craig (Fright Night) Gillespie.

At the junket for "Abe Lincoln," ShockTillYouDrop.com asked the author/screenwriter if there's any progress on that long-in-development movie and whether or not we may see his other period horror novel on the screen any time soon.

Roughly 24 years ago, a young director named Tim Burton made a significant mark with his second feature film, the dark comedy Beetlejuice, which also put actor Michael Keaton firmly on the map while winning an Oscar for its special make-up FX.

A few months back, it was reported that Dark Shadows screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith was working on the screenplay for a sequel and at the junket for Timur Bekmambetov's adaptation of Grahame-Smith's novel Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, producer Tim Burton spoke to ShockTillYouDrop.com about the prospects for a sequel to Beetlejuice, which he claims to be one of his favorite characters. 

After the jump, you can find three clips from Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, opening June 22nd, which were provided to us by Twentieth Century Fox.  One of the clips - an action-packed train escape sequence - ran here on Shock earlier this week, but just in case you missed it, we're re-running it.  The other clips include a deadly waltz and Abe's training.

Director by Timur Bekmambetov and based on the novel of the same name, the film explores the secret life of our greatest president, and the untold history that shaped our nation. As a young boy, Abraham Lincoln witnesses the shocking death of his mother, leading him on a path to an ongoing war - and ultimately to the presidency - he chronicles in a hidden diary. The journal reveals the incredible story of a clandestine warrior who never stopped fighting for the country he led and the people he loved.

Shock Till You Drop was lucky enough to visit the set of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter last year and we can finally share the details with you. We hit the set in New Orleans where we got to watch some filming, chat with the cast and crew and get a tiny peek at the vampires. Director Timur Bekmambetov really strove for historical accuracy from his crew. He wanted this rooted in reality. If you recall, the first image released wasn't from an action scene. It was a speech from the president. 

Producer Jim Lemly said, “We’re making a movie, not a historical record and…art’s a metaphor. I think any way you can explore metaphor to make it relevant or expose it to a bigger audience or tell a story in a way it hasn’t been told — I think that’s the what we’re attempting to do. We feel we remain very truthful to the essence of Abraham Lincoln, because it’s very important to us. He’s doing these ridiculous, insane things, but his character is the Abraham Lincoln that you know. He’s a moral man who represents the best of humanity. I think what is a noble ideal for all people, to try and obtain and achieve.”

Legendary Pictures is developing a new film called The Great Wall - something we presumed was a historical epic about the Great Wall of China.  And why not presume that?  Ed Zwick is directing, after all.  He gave us The Last Samurai, Courage Under Fire and Glory.  

He's also set Benjamin Walker (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, pictured) and Henry Cavill (Man of Steel) to star.  

So, what's the film doing on Shock?  Well, in a Deadline report about the film's shooting schedule, it was revealed the plot concerns two British soldiers who come across the building of the wall - which was not to keep the Mongols out but, when night falls, to keep out something "inhuman and more dangerous."

Ah, so we have an element of something supernatural afoot.

In conjunction with the release of Timur Bekmambetov's latest film, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, Bazelevs and Aspen Comics present, Director's Cut: The Art of Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.

Now available for pre-order and conceived by Bekmambetov, this deluxe edition utilizes never-before-seen storyboards, as well as exquisite pieces of production art and conceptual designs to journey deep into the mythology of the film, telling the tale of Abraham Lincoln as seen through the eyes of "Adam," an ancient and powerful vampire who rules the American South.

You can order it up right here.  Check out a trailer for the book within which features some of the art.  Also be sure to head to THIS SPOT where Shock is exclusively hosting a motion comic book tied in with the film.

In a summer awash in superheroes, Twentieth Century Fox is introducing movie-going audiences to the original superhero - Abraham Lincoln.  Yes, we're talking about the former President of the United States...who also doubled as a vampire ass-kicker.  His story is being told in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which is opening in theaters on June 22nd, directed by Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted).

In anticipation of the film's release, Shock Till You Drop is exclusively hosting a motion comic book that delves into America's history and its vampire menace.  The art features storyboards from the film.  

HEAD TO THIS SPOT TO START READING (and stick around for an exclusive clip!) - and stay tuned for more installments.

Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jimmi Simpson, Robin McLeavy, Alan Tudyk and Rufus Sewell star in the film.

Two TV spots for Twentieth Century Fox's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter have hit and can be watched back to back in the video after the jump!

Directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the June 22 release stars Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jimmi Simpson, Robin McLeavy, Alan Tudyk and Rufus Sewell. In the film, President Lincoln's mother is killed by a supernatural creature, which fuels his passion to crush vampires and their slave-owning helpers.

20th Century Fox celebrates Memorial Day Weekend in patriotic fashion with the launch of the newest Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter trailer! To coincide with the trailer launch, the studio has also announced that it will be screening the film for thousands of sailors aboard the Navy aircraft carrier, USS Abraham Lincoln.

A new red band trailer for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter has hit the web.  The film is hitting theaters on June 22nd.

Adapted by Seth Grahame-Smith from his own novel, the supernatural thriller stars Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jimmi Simpson, Robin McLeavy, Alan Tudyk and Rufus Sewell.

In Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, President Lincoln's mother is killed by a supernatural creature, which fuels his passion to crush vampires and their slave-owning helpers.

Opening in theaters today: Dark Shadows, directed by Tim Burton.  On writing duties is Seth Grahame-Smith, not necessarily a newcomer to the genre, but a writer making his feature debut with this adaptation of the supernatural soap opera.

Shock first met Grahame-Smith when his book, How to Survive a Horror Movie, hit shelves.  We later crossed paths during the interview sessions for His Name Was Jason, the Friday the 13th documentary (which Grahame-Smith is all over talking about his love for the franchise).  His real success took off with the Jane Austen mash-up Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, which launched not just a novel but a movie deal.

This summer, audiences get a one-two punch from him with Dark Shadows and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, an adaptation of his novel, produced by Tim Burton opening June 22nd.  So, yes, we'll be hearing much more about the writer in the coming months.  For now, we spoke to him about all things Burton/Johnny Depp.  Head inside for our chat about bringing Dark Shadows to the screen.

Writer Seth Grahame-Smith provided Shock Till You Drop with an update on his upcoming projects while promoting Dark Shadows this afternoon.  He broke it down real easy, filling us in on the priority projects that await his attention.

Surprisingly, Beetlejuice 2 is not something he's jumping on right away.  The other day, Tim Burton told us he's waiting on the writer's take on the sequel.  But it appears Grahame-Smith has some other things he needs to tackle first.

"Everyone is waiting for me to get my ass in gear," Grahame-Smith said.  "I just finished a script called Night of the Living, and I'm giving it to Tim this weekend.  And I'm moving now into adapting Unholy Night, which I have to deliver to Warner Bros.  I've got to do this, then I'm going around the world for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, so I'll be writing Unholy Night on the plane and in hotel rooms."

When we last reported on Night of the Living, I speculated that the plot could be a unique twist on Night of the Living Dead, except that the humans were a threat to the zombies and not vice versa.

Russian filmmaker Timur Bekmambetov is no stranger to vampires and the supernatural, having first gotten acclaim here in the States for his Russian blockbusters Night Watch and Day Watch. After directing Universal's action hit Wanted a few years back, Bekmambetov is back this summer with Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, based on the novel by Seth Grahame-Smith, and going by the title alone, this is clearly not the typical, traditional vampire movie anyone has come to expect over the last few years.

In fact, it's a movie that takes the actual history of our 16th President and extrapolates that a lot of the pivotal moments in his life could have involved an ongoing battle with the vampires that killed his mother. When you take that idea and cross it with Bekmambetov's penchant for crazy, kinetic action and also the movie being in 3D, you certainly have potential for a vampire movie like no other.

Empire has premiered the official UK one-sheet for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, opening here in the U.S. on June 22nd and in the UK on August 3rd.

The poster takes its inspiration from the film's epic "flaming train" battle that we've seen so much of in the previews.  Is it me, or does star Benjamin Walker look like he could be a spawn of Liam Neeson?

The film explores the secret life of our greatest president, and the untold history that shaped our nation. As a young boy, Abraham Lincoln witnesses the shocking death of his mother, leading him on a path to an ongoing war - and ultimately to the presidency - he chronicles in a hidden diary. The journal reveals the incredible story of a clandestine warrior who never stopped fighting for the country he led and the people he loved.  Timur Bekmambetov directs...

Head inside for a larger look at the poster.

Tim Burton is participating in an Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter art conest in which he will serve as the judge.  20th Century Fox challenges fans to depict their allegiance to either our patriotic hero Lincoln or to villainous vampires through creative illustrations.  The five top entries will be presented to the famed director, who will then pick the grand-prize winner.

Whether submitting their own art, voting on the submissions or viewing and sharing the artwork, fans are invited to participate in this hunt for the best candidates.

All styles are encouraged; cartoon, photo, paint, sculpture, graphic design etc.  Real or imagined, the studio leaves the vision and interpretation up to the artist.

A new, extended international trailer for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter has arrived, hailing from Russia where director Timur Bekmambetov fired up the box office with his Night Watch and Day Watch films.

The film explores the secret life of our greatest president, and the untold history that shaped our nation. As a young boy, Abraham Lincoln witnesses the shocking death of his mother, leading him on a path to an ongoing war - and ultimately to the presidency - he chronicles in a hidden diary. The journal reveals the incredible story of a clandestine warrior who never stopped fighting for the country he led and the people he loved.

Look for it in theaters June 22nd.  Head inside for the trailer.

Timur Bekmambetov, the director of Wanted, hits audiences this summer with Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter - based on the novel by Seth Graham-Smith and starring Benjamin Walker as the former President who not only led our country but, according to this tale, was a vampire slayer.

Shock reunited with Bekmambetov briefly to speak about the June 22nd release and squeeze in a few more questions we did not get to address the last time we connected with him.

Before Wanted and before the forthcoming Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, director Timur Bekmambetov hit the genre scene with the supernatural actioner Night Watch, a visually-stunning adventure that was followed by the sequel Day Watch.  

Based on the novels by Sergei Lukyanenko, the film series was envisioned by a trilogy that would wrap up with the rumored Twilight Watch, however, Bekmambetov is not so certain another film is going to happen.

Since Night Watch and Day Watch, the director has refocused his efforts.  He produced 9, Apollo 18 and The Darkest Hour and is currently in post-production on Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.  Shock caught up to Bekmambetov recently and asked if Twilight Watch will ever become a reality.

Following its debut at WonderCon in Anaheim, California, the new trailer for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter is now online and can be watched after the jump!

Twentieth Century Fox is presenting both Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Timur Bekmambetov's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter at the WonderCon in Anaheim, California today and you can follow along with our live blog after the jump!

Prometheus, opening on June 8, stars Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Guy Pearce, Idris Elba, Logan Marshall-Green and Charlize Theron. The film takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits and strand them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and to life's ultimate mystery.

The other day, we showed off a cool clip for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter that was hidden inside a viral package including a leather diary owned by one of history's most iconic Presidents/Vampire Hunters.

Today, Shock HQ received an identical package and, in the photos after the break, you can check out the diary in full, including a photo of Lincoln's mother, Nancy Todd Lincoln and a silver bullet USB drive that houses the film's trailer and the featurette.

As we have been discussing over the last week, Shock Till You Drop went on an excursion to Springfield, Illinois recently to connect with the team behind Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (click on the title for a look at our previous coverage).  

Within the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum - where some of the wax mock-ups of Abe's life were altered to reflect the film (his wax counterpart could be seen holding a stake) - Shock sat down with director Timur Bekmambetov and star Benjamin Walker to briefly discuss the film based on the trailer and clips we had seen.  Head inside for that conversation...

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter opens in 2D/3D on June 22nd.

Before we were shown footage and the trailer for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter in our recent excursion to Springfield, Illinois, 20th Century Fox ran a special introduction from producer Tim Burton.  It's intentionally out of sync and highly unusual, furthermore, it's "old school Burton" which is what I think a lot of us miss.  I'm hoping we get that with his film Dark Shadows.  Head inside for a look at the video which posted to Fox's YouTube page this afternoon.  Thanks to Seth Grahame-Smith (Abe's writer) for pointing us to it.

Twentieth Century Fox has revealed the first trailer for Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, coming to theaters on June 22nd.

Produced by Tim Burton and directed by Timur Bekmambetov, the big screen adaptation stars Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jimmi Simpson, Robin McLeavy, Alan Tudyk and Rufus Sewell.

It was written by Seth Grahame-Smith based on his own novel.

Shock Till You Drop recently visited Springfield, Illinois where 20th Century Fox held a special Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter press event.  

Part of our itinerary: A trip to Lincoln's tomb in the Oak Ridge Cemetery and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum where we feasted our eyes on one of Lincoln's original, signature top hats and one of the gloves he wore when he was assassinated.  The trip also called for a preview of the ALVH trailer (debuting today and looks like a hyper-stylized blast) at the museum along with interviews with director Timur Bekmambetov (Wanted), star Benjamin Walker and writer Seth Grahame-Smith, who also penned the novel upon which the film is based.

Inside, you'll find the first batch of sound bites from the trio as they discuss the June 22nd release also starring Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dominic Cooper, Alan Tudyk, Anthony Mackie and Adam Rockoff.

Before the trailer drops on all of us tomorrow (Monday), CBS previewed the very first footage from Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.  See Abe as an axe-swinging, bloodsucker-killing bad-ass now and stay tuned for coverage from Shock's recent trip to Springfield, Illinois where we spoke to star Benjamin Walker, director Timur Bekmambetove and writer Seth Grahame-Smith.

Opening June 22, The film explores the secret life of our greatest president, and the untold history that shaped our nation. As a young boy, Abraham Lincoln witnesses the shocking death of his mother, leading him on a path to an ongoing war - and ultimately to the presidency - he chronicles in a hidden diary. The journal reveals the incredible story of a clandestine warrior who never stopped fighting for the country he led and the people he loved.

Entertainment Weekly has premiere two new images from the upcoming horror movie Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, which is based on the book of the same name by Seth Grahame-Smith.  The images show Abe in his younger years, then as the bearded iconic President we've come to know and  more.

The film explores the secret life of our greatest president, and the untold history that shaped our nation. As a young boy, Abraham Lincoln (Benjamin Walker) witnesses the shocking death of his mother, leading him on a path to an ongoing war - and ultimately to the presidency - he chronicles in a hidden diary. The journal reveals the incredible story of a clandestine warrior who never stopped fighting for the country he led and the people he loved.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dominic Cooper and Adam Rockoff also star.

The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly features a brand new still from Timur Bekmambetov's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and it's now online courtesy of a scan by Upcoming Horror Movies.

Check it out after the break.

Scheduled to hit theaters on June 22, 2012, the big screen adaptation of Seth Grahame-Smith book stars Benjamin Walker, Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Jimmi Simpson, Robin McLeavy, Alan Tudyk and Rufus Sewell.

New images from Columbia Pictures' Men in Black 3 and 20th Century Fox's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter were part of USA Today's 2012 preview and you can check them out inside.

Coming to a theater near you, this poster for 20th Century Fox's Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, opening June 22, 2012.  The two images you find inside are part of a lenticular poster that reflects "night" and "day."