New Dracula Film Shot in Romania: Ada Solomon Shares Exclusive Behind-the-Scenes Insights

Romania’s Dracula Reclaimed: Producer Ada Solomon Unveils Groundbreaking Film Shot in Transylvania

Did you know that, after a century of fang-filled Hollywood flicks, Dracula is finally coming home? That’s right—the world’s most famous vampire will prowl the misty forests and echoing castles of his true homeland in a major film shoot for the first time ever. And at the heart of this cinematic resurrection stands Ada Solomon, the powerhouse Romanian producer determined to reclaim her country’s legendary undead for a new generation of horror fans. Her bold vision is set to shake up everything we thought we knew about Transylvania’s most infamous son.

Dracula Gets His Romanian Passport Back

The story of Dracula is everyone’s favorite dark fairy tale—but few realize just how tangled its roots are in Romanian soil. Bram Stoker’s 1897 novel Dracula blended the chilling exploits of Vlad the Impaler—the real-life 15th-century prince whose brutality became local legend—with the folklore that creeps through every shadowy Carpathian pine. Yet, despite this, most Dracula films over the years have avoided setting their stories in Romania. Surprising, isn’t it?

• Why the detour? Political isolation during the Cold War made Romania a no-go zone for Western productions. Even after, logistical hurdles and the lure of Hollywood sound stages kept the Count off his home turf.
• From London to Hollywood…but not Transylvania: From Bela Lugosi’s creaky castle to Francis Ford Coppola’s lush, fever-dream adaptation, celluloid Draculas have fanged their way through everything but the real deal.

Now, thanks to Ada Solomon and her team, the new Dracula film Romania project is preparing to “bring Dracula home and let him speak Romanian,” as she told The Hollywood Reporter in her exclusive Locarno interview. This isn’t just a homecoming; it’s a cultural reclamation—one with centuries of blood, myth, and cinematic magic swirling in its veins.

Ada Solomon’s Vision: Authenticity, Challenge, and Controversy

Authenticity—Why Romania?

For Solomon, shooting in Romania is more than an aesthetic choice; it’s a statement of identity. “It was crucial to capture the real landscape, the real stories, and the real atmosphere that only Romania can offer,” she says. Think mossy castle walls, wild Transylvanian peaks, and villages so old they feel bewitched even in daylight. This is horror film authenticity at its purest—the chance to film Dracula where his legend was born, amidst the real shadows and secrets of Dracula filmed in Transylvania.

Logistical Hurdles and Historic Sensitivities

• Permits and Production: Romania’s medieval ruins might be photogenic, but filming there involves navigating preservation laws and sometimes even wrangling local legend-keepers.
• Funding Fears: “International projects often see Romania as a mysterious unknown, not a creative partner,” Solomon reflected. Tugging Hollywood’s gaze eastward was no mean feat—especially for a risk-averse film industry.
• Historical Weight: Vlad the Impaler is a controversial figure locally. Some Romanians revere his “tough on crime” reign; others flinch from his bloody reputation. Solomon aims to honor both the horror and the history, refusing to flatten Romania’s nuances.

Who’s Sinking Their Teeth into the Project?

While Solomon is keeping her cards close regarding the cast and director, she’s built a reputation for attracting exceptional European talent—so expectation is sky-high. “You can’t make a film like this with just anyone,” she teases. “We’re working with people who get the myth and the land.”

Filming in Romania: More Than Scenery

Economic and Cultural Impact

• Romanian Cinema Goes Global: This is a watershed moment for Romanian cinema. Not only does it bring international investment and jobs to the industry, but it also puts local sights, crafts, and stories on the world stage.
• Contrast with Hollywood Draculas: “Hollywood’s Dracula is all costume and accent,” says Solomon with a smile. “We want something truer, scarier, and more beautiful.” That means swapping clichés for real Romanian folklore, and giving a voice to the landscapes that inspired Bram Stoker in the first place.
• Tourism Boom: Dracula tourism is already booming in Transylvania—but this film could supercharge it. Expect fans to flock to filming sites, hungry for a selfie—not just with fangs, but with the soul of the real Romania.

How Does Hollywood React?

The industry response, according to Solomon, “has been curious, cautious, and a little jealous. They’re watching to see what happens when you return a legend to its birthplace.” Local critics and film buffs are abuzz with excitement—some hailing this as “the first authentic Dracula,” others eager to see whether Romanian perspectives will dominate the narrative this time.

The Buzz: Critics, Fans, and the Future of Vampire Movies

• Critics’ Reactions: Film insiders from Locarno to London have praised the project’s gutsiness and cultural ambition. “It’s a game-changer for horror,” writes one commentator. “Romania is finally taking back its most famous son.”
• Social Media Sizzling: Across platforms, anticipation runs high. Fans are dissecting every morsel of news, dreaming up cast lists, and debating which Transylvanian castle will take the starring location credit.
• Comparisons—and High Stakes: Inevitably, comparisons to Coppola, Hammer Films, and streaming hits like Netflix’s 2020 Dracula miniseries are everywhere. But early glimpses suggest somber dread over Gothic camp—a Dracula for the new vampire movie 2024 era.

PULL QUOTE: “Let us show Dracula’s world not through borrowed eyes, but from within—through the forests, the fears, and the fascination of Romania itself.” – Ada Solomon

Release Plans & Solomon’s Next Moves

While the exact premiere date remains as shrouded as one of the Count’s midnight carriages, the studio is teasing a late 2024 festival debut—just in time to seize the Halloween spotlight as the most-anticipated Romanian Dracula adaptation in decades. The film’s global distribution will be a major test of international appetite for local myth retold on Romanian terms.

• Ada Solomon’s Future Projects: Solomon is on a roll, with new projects focused on Romanian history, women’s stories, and genre-bending drama. Her goal: to elevate Romanian cinema to the forefront of world film, one fearless project at a time.

Why This Matters: The Takeaway

If you love horror, history, or just a good underdog story, the upcoming Dracula film Romania is one to watch. It promises not just a return to roots, but the start of a creative bloodline—proof that classic myths evolve, and that local voices can reshape global stories.

What do you think: Will bringing Dracula home change the face of vampire movies forever? Leave your thoughts in the comments—and follow the latest updates from The Hollywood Reporter and the film’s official channels for more bite-sized exclusives.

• Discover more about Romania’s cinematic legacy in our guide to Romanian cinema’s rise on the international stage.
• Deep dive into Vlad the Impaler’s real history and how it inspired Bram Stoker.
• Learn about the global impact of Dracula tourism in Lonely Planet’s feature on Bran Castle.