For a while now 30 Days Of Night director David Slade has been at the helm of The Last Voyage Of Demeter. But despite some early casting rumours and seeming development, as more and more projects have landed on Slade’s desk, the Demeter has met rougher seas on its trip to the screen. Which might explain why it now has a new captain, with Neil Marshall jumping aboard.
While this new change at the top doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll now sprint for cinemas, it’s an encouraging thought that one solid UK director has been switched out for another and a better chance of production.
For those in need of a plot refresher, Demeter tells the tale of the ship mentioned in Bram Stoker’s Dracula, which transported the titular vampire to England. In the book, the vessel arrives mysteriously, floundering on the Whitby shore with no survivors, and only a single corpse: the ship's captain lashed to the wheel.
It’s a compelling idea and attracted attention from the likes of Marcus Nispel and Robert Schwentke before Slade was attached. He got as far as sounding out Ben Kingsley and Noomi Rapace before the effort sank once more.
Marshall last brought us Centurion, and has a few horror projects bubbling away, including Burst 3D, Underground and Hellfest. But you’ll be able to see his directorial work on the small screen soon, as he’s overseen an episode of Game Of Thrones this season (an exciting one involving battles). Let's hope this finally gets him back behind the movie camera.