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In the early 2010s, the cinematic landscape was dominated by supernatural tales, largely propelled by the blockbuster success of “Twilight.” This frenzy spurred studios to craft their own takes on the genre, resulting in a string of unusual hybrids such as “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.” Among these was the 2012 release “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter,” a film that initially floundered at the box office and left critics unimpressed. However, the movie has recently found a new audience, climbing into HBO Max’s Top 10 most-watched films, according to FlixPatrol.
20th Century Fox
Drawing inspiration from a novel of the same name, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” presents an imaginative reimagining of the iconic U.S. President. In this narrative, Abraham Lincoln, played by Benjamin Walker, is not only remembered for abolishing slavery but also for moonlighting as a vampire slayer. His adventures begin before his presidency, when he is mentored to battle the undead. The plot thickens as Lincoln confronts the formidable vampire leader, Adam, portrayed by Rufus Sewell, pulling him into an age-old war for dominance.
Despite its initial status as a flop, the film boasts an impressive creative team. Screenwriter Seth Grahame-Smith, who penned the original novel and is known for “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies,” brought his unique vision to the script. The production also benefited from the involvement of Tim Burton as a producer and Timur Bekmambetov, known for directing “Wanted,” at the helm. The ensemble cast features talents like Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Rufus Sewell.
Despite its flop status, “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” has some A+ talent behind the scenes, led by then-up-and-coming screenwriter and the source material’s author, Seth Grahame-Smith (whose “Pride and Prejudice and Zombies started as fan-fiction). In addition, Tim Burton is among the film’s producers, while “Wanted” helmer Timur Bekmambetov directs. Its stacked cast includes Dominic Cooper, Anthony Mackie, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, and Rufus Sewell.Â
Interestingly, Tim Burton suggests that “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” isn’t as far-fetched as it might seem. He argues that the idea of Lincoln as a vampire hunter aligns surprisingly well with historical events, including the personal tragedies in Lincoln’s life. “The interesting thing about it is that it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds,” Burton remarked, emphasizing the film’s plausibility compared to traditional B-movie narratives.
Tim Burton thought Lincoln and vampires were an obvious match
Kathy Hutchins/Shutterstock
When faced with claims that “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” was just another attempt to ride the post-“Twilight” trend, Burton was quick to counter. In an interview with Uproxx, he rejected the notion that his interest in vampire films was merely a response to their surge in popularity, stating, “I’ve loved vampire movies since I was 5 years old. For me, it’s not a trend.” This personal passion for the genre underscores the film’s unique position within the supernatural film resurgence of the time.
Despite proudly comparing “Vampire Hunter” to these camp offerings, the “Beetlejuice” director actually believes that “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” may be more plausible than those classic B-movies. “The interesting thing about it is that it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds,” he continued. “The events, the idea of him becoming a vampire hunter, and all the deaths that he had in his family … it makes a lot of sense and is actually more believable than the premise makes it.”
As for how he felt about people calling “Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter” a mere trend-chaser coming off the heels of “Twilight,” Burton also bristled and refused to acknowledge such claims. Speaking with Uproxx about both “Hunter” and his then-recent vampire centric directorial effort “Dark Shadows,” he shared, “I’ve loved vampire movies since I was 5 years old. For me, it’s not a trend.”
