Entertainment
'Vampire Academy' Could Flop Just Like These 5 Other Teen Supernatural Films That Failed
The Twilight film franchise is (finally) over, but just because the films were mocked mercilessly doesn't mean that they weren't incredibly profitable. Vampires and their supernatural friends (werewolves, fairies, shapeshifters, witches, you name it) still have a secured place in the pop culture sphere, and the new film Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters — which is based on the series of novels by Richelle Mead — is trying to capitalize on our fascination. While we'd ordinarily be skeptical of a film about a vampire boarding school, the film was penned by Heathers writer Daniel Waters and directed by Mean Girls' Mark Waters, which instantly gives it some credibility in the world of snarky teen films. The trailer, which premiered today, shows a world in which vampires attend high school in order to retain some of their humanity — despite the presence of more feral vampires who want the complete opposite (this plot, by the way, shares DNA with other vampy work like True Blood, Twilight, and The Vampire Diaries). Vampire Academy could be as successful (commercially, anyway) as the Twilight series ... or it could flop like these 5 supernatural films that just didn't hit the mark.
Will It Suck? (Pun Totally Intended)
The Twilight film franchise is (finally) over, but just because the films were mocked mercilessly doesn't mean that they weren't incredibly profitable. Vampires and their supernatural friends (werewolves, fairies, shapeshifters, witches, you name it) still have a secured place in the pop culture sphere, and the new film Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters — which is based on the series of novels by Richelle Mead — is trying to capitalize on our fascination. While we'd ordinarily be skeptical of a film about a vampire boarding school, the film was penned by Heathers writer Daniel Waters and directed by Mean Girls' Mark Waters, which instantly gives it some credibility in the world of snarky teen films. The trailer, which premiered today, shows a world in which vampires attend high school in order to retain some of their humanity — despite the presence of more feral vampires who want the complete opposite (this plot, by the way, shares DNA with other vampy work like True Blood, Twilight, and The Vampire Diaries). Vampire Academy could be as successful (commercially, anyway) as the Twilight series ... or it could flop like these 5 supernatural films that just didn't hit the mark.
'Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant' (2009)
Based on the series of novels by Darren Shan, Cirque Du Freak: The Vampire's Assistant should have been a big hit. But rather than feature a vampire love story, the novel and film focused on a boy named Darren who must become a vampire in order to save the life of his friend. Not surprisingly, the reviews were mediocre, and a sequel was never made. Perhaps they couldn't get over John C. Reilly's bizarre accent and costume.
'Blood and Chocolate' (2007)
Despite the name, Blood and Chocolate isn't a vampire movie (or an Elvis Costello album). It's a different breed of supernatural creature at play here — specifically, the werewolf. This coming-of-age-as-a-werewolf movie made only $2.1 million at the box-office, despite being based on Annette Curtis Klause's novel of the same name. Fans of the novel were shocked by the film's changes to the story — and the second you lose that loyal fan base, your supernatural movie is sunk. On the plus side, Hannibal's ever-adorable Hugh Dancy is in it.
Image: MGM
'Beautiful Creatures' (2013)
The novel by Kami Garcia was adapted this year into what became known as "Twilight, but with WITCHES!" There are witches at the center of this story — or, rather, "casters" — and Lena, a caster, must choose whether she'll practice light or dark magic all while dealing with her complicated romance with a mortal. Despite having a stellar cast — including Viola Davis, Jeremy Irons, and Emma Thompson — the film received lackluster reviews.
Image: Warner Bros.
'The Host' (2013)
This one actually has Twilight DNA in its blood — it was based on the novel by author Stephanie Meyer. Yet The Host, with it's suuuuuuuper confusing plot involving aliens and mind-control simply didn't have the pull of the simple plot the author's other vampire saga provided.
Image: Open Road Films
'Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter' (2012)
This bizarre concept worked as a graphic novel, yet it didn't translate once it was adapted into a film. In this film, the vampires are pretty much exclusively the bad guys (they also happen to be the ones who keep the slave trade intact). Despite the original story, the film didn't attract history buffs or vampire junkies.
Image: 20th Century Fox
