Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
On March 2, 2012 (a year ago today) author Seth Graeme-Smith released his fantasy novel entitled Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter. It was part of a series of novels (called Quirk Classics) in which the author transformed either classical literature or historical characters, injecting an element of monsters into the story. For example, another title by this author was Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and the same publisher released another book called Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters.
The book is written as a biography of Abraham Lincoln, based on "secret diaries" kept by Lincoln and given to the author by a vampire named Henry Sturges. When Lincoln is eleven years old, he learns from his father Thomas Lincoln that vampires are in fact real. Thomas explains to his son that a vampire killed Abraham's grandfather (also named Abraham Lincoln) in 1786. Young Abraham is also shocked to learn that his beloved mother Nancy Hanks Lincoln dies not from milk sickness but rather to being given a "fool's dose" of vampire blood, the result of Thomas's failure to repay a debt. Lincoln vows in his diary to kill as many vampires as he can. The story goes on to parallel much of Lincoln's life, only with vampires.
I learned today that a movie based on this book is due to be released on June 22, 2012. It will be released in 3d as well as in regular cinema. The film is directed and produced by Timur Bekmambetov and is also produced by Tim Burton. Seth Grahame-Smith, wrote the adapted screenplay for the movie. Here is some of the cast:
Benjamin Walker as Abraham Lincoln
Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Mary Todd Lincoln
Rufus Sewell as Adam, the lead vampire villain
Jimmi Simpson as Josh Speed, Lincoln's friend and assistant
Dominic Cooper as Henry Sturges, Lincoln's mentor in vampire hunting.
Anthony Mackie as William Johnson, Lincoln's valet and friend
Robin McLeavy as Nancy Lincoln, Lincoln's mother
Alan Tudyk as Stephen A. Douglas
John Rothman as Jefferson Davis
Cameron M. Brown as Willie Lincoln
Below is the official trailer for the movie, one that will be on my must-see list for sure.
The book is written as a biography of Abraham Lincoln, based on "secret diaries" kept by Lincoln and given to the author by a vampire named Henry Sturges. When Lincoln is eleven years old, he learns from his father Thomas Lincoln that vampires are in fact real. Thomas explains to his son that a vampire killed Abraham's grandfather (also named Abraham Lincoln) in 1786. Young Abraham is also shocked to learn that his beloved mother Nancy Hanks Lincoln dies not from milk sickness but rather to being given a "fool's dose" of vampire blood, the result of Thomas's failure to repay a debt. Lincoln vows in his diary to kill as many vampires as he can. The story goes on to parallel much of Lincoln's life, only with vampires.
I learned today that a movie based on this book is due to be released on June 22, 2012. It will be released in 3d as well as in regular cinema. The film is directed and produced by Timur Bekmambetov and is also produced by Tim Burton. Seth Grahame-Smith, wrote the adapted screenplay for the movie. Here is some of the cast:
Benjamin Walker as Abraham Lincoln
Mary Elizabeth Winstead as Mary Todd Lincoln
Rufus Sewell as Adam, the lead vampire villain
Jimmi Simpson as Josh Speed, Lincoln's friend and assistant
Dominic Cooper as Henry Sturges, Lincoln's mentor in vampire hunting.
Anthony Mackie as William Johnson, Lincoln's valet and friend
Robin McLeavy as Nancy Lincoln, Lincoln's mother
Alan Tudyk as Stephen A. Douglas
John Rothman as Jefferson Davis
Cameron M. Brown as Willie Lincoln
Below is the official trailer for the movie, one that will be on my must-see list for sure.