Plug pulled on filming new Dracula movie in Shropshire

Bram Stoker's 1897 Gothic horror novel Dracula will be brought right up into the 21st century for a new film, and was meant to use a number of locations around Shropshire.

The producers of Dracula 2015 – Killer on the Catwalk, had planned to make their movie in Hungary, but later changed their minds and decided to shoot it in Bridgnorth, Morville, Ludlow, Arley and Much Wenlock, with key locations including Ludlow Castle and Aldenham Park, in Morville.

A message from Gapictures, the production company, said: "We are sad to announce today that DRACULA – Killer on the Catwalk will no longer be filmed in Shropshire (England) during the summer of 2015. Producers have always had to face tough business decisions in making films, and after receiving an offer to do a three picture co-production deal in Europe (with Dracula being part of that deal) had to be considered and was consequently accepted during last week. However not all is lost for Shropshire, as we are now going to actively develop a production created for the stunning locations in Shropshire to shoot in the Summer of 2016!"

Actors who were due to come to Shropshire included former James Bond actor George Lazenby as a vampire hunter.

The horror thriller has a £1.3 million budget with scenes set to be filmed in Aldenham Park, in Morville, Ludlow Castle and the Severn Valley Railway's Arley station.

Some of those from Shropshire who have applied to be extras in the film could still get a chance to be in the movie.

Gapictures also said: "We are also awarding some of the incredible people who have applied as extras, parts in the film which will mean they will be flown to the new location of Dracula in Europe (all expenses paid) to appear in the film. Stay tuned as we will be informing and announcing these people in the coming days!"

See tomorrow's Shropshire Star for the full story.