The Last Voyage of the Demeter: The Original Ending, the Van Helsing Cameo, and the Future

The Long Road to Creating The Last Voyage of the Demeter

The Last Voyage of the Demeter, a 2023 horror-thriller, brought to life the gripping 'The Captain's Log' chapter from Bram Stoker's Dracula, chronicling the perilous journey of a merchant ship transporting the notorious vampire from Transylvania to England. After nearly two decades in development, the movie finally made its way to theaters, receiving a mixed bag of reviews from critics and falling just short of its $45 million production budget.

the last voyage of the demeter Dracula in the rain

During a recent interview with SYFY Wire, the writer Bragi F. Schut shared insights into the arduous journey of creating The Last Voyage of the Demeter. When questioned about the differences between his original script and the final cut, Schut revealed that while there were no 'wildly different' changes, there was an alternate ending in consideration that would have introduced a Van Helsing cameo. The proposed ending involved Corey Hawkins' character, Clemens, encountering the enigmatic Van Helsing in a tavern, setting up a mysterious interaction that would have left audiences on the edge of their seats.

dracula demeter carfax abbey

How Van Helsing's Cameo Would've Changed Demeter

Van Helsing, a prominent character in Stoker's gothic horror novel, has been a significant figure in numerous Dracula adaptations over the years. His potential cameo in The Last Voyage of the Demeter could have paved the way for an intriguing sequel, should the movie have achieved success. The existing ending, while already hinting at a dramatic showdown between Clemens and Dracula, would have required further divergence from the source material to accommodate a sequel. Director Andr\u00e9 \u00d8vredal acknowledged the need for a revisionist tale for a potential Last Voyage of the Demeter 2, while remaining open to the idea of returning to the story.

demeter captain elliot

However, the inclusion of Helsing in The Last Voyage of the Demeter would have posed the risk of complicating the adaptation by blending Stoker's original narrative with a new storyline. Given the underwhelming reception of Dracula adaptations in 2023, including the box office disappointment of Nicolas Cage's Renfield, a more faithful adherence to the source material and the inclusion of characters like Helsing could have potentially attracted a wider audience.

Dracula's gnarly black hand clutches a terrified man's face in The Last Voyage of the Demeter

The Future of The Last Voyage of the Demeter

Despite the potential complexities of including a Van Helsing cameo, the discussion around a sequel to The Last Voyage of the Demeter raises intriguing possibilities. The director's openness to revisiting the story and the need for a revisionist approach for a sequel indicate a willingness to further explore the world established in the movie. Additionally, the challenges faced by Dracula adaptations in 2023, including the lackluster performance of other films in the genre, highlight the need for innovative storytelling and a balance between honoring the source material and introducing fresh elements.

Javier Botet as Dracula Showing Teeth in The Last Voyage of the Demeter