Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (the movie)

The trailer says it all: A convincing voice over plays against a shadowy image of a man in a stovepipe hat. Tim Burton producing. Exciting railroad action sequences. And then the Lincoln figure busts out an ax and starts slaying. Watching the trailer in the theater, a few gasps and murmurs were all I heard until the the words Vampire Hunter faded in under Lincoln's name -- then laughter erupted. The premise is ridiculous, the execution is epic. While the film probably can't do author Seth Grahame-Smith's alternate history full justice, since he co-wrote the screenplay, I have faith it will hold onto the rich details and general absurdity of the book.

I'm a huge fan of Smith's Pride and Prejudice and Zombies mash-up novel (which is also going to be adapted for film), which clearly showed an understanding of the original characters and story. Rather than just throwing zombies in a Regency-era classic, he infused zombie lore within the characters themselves; the Bennett girls are not simply accosted by Unmentionables, they have secretly been trained in combat for years in their private dojo. Mr. Collins is clueless as ever, even as his own wife slowly goes the way of the undead. Here's to hoping Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter receives the same attention to character detail and that it works on the big screen. It might not draw big box office numbers, but it may live on as a cult classic.

Also, did you know Alan Tudyk (Firefly, Dollhouse, A Knight's Tale) is set to play Stephen A. Douglas? OMG.

Have you read the book or are you curious to see the film? It opens June 22.