The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter novels follow the title character but will she ever get her own movie? Anne Rice popularised the idea of human, romantic vampires with books like Interview With The Vampire, but while critics have compared Rice’s work to Anita Blake, author Laurell K. Hamilton states she was more inspired by Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot. The Anita Blake series began in 1993 with Guilty Pleasures, which was a fusion of noir crime novel and horror. Hamilton also refutes the notion her books are similar to the Underworld movies, which also feature a black-haired warrior gunning down vampire and werewolf alike with heavy weaponry.
The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series consists of 26 books thus far, with the most recent title Serpentine published in 2018. The character has also appeared in numerous short stories and comics. While other vampire novels like Twilight have received high-profile adaptations, Anita has yet to receive a live-action adaptation in spite of the ongoing success of the books.
Anita Blake has a big fanbase, so what are the chances of a movie finally coming together?
An Anita Blake TV Movie Was Announced In 2009
The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series takes place in a world where vampires, werewolves and magic powers are real, and the stories deal with Blake navigating her way through this alternate world while dealing with a complex love life, including a romance with Master Vampire Jean-Claude. After years of waiting, it was announced in April 2009 that Glen Morgan (Final Destination) would adapt Anita Blake into a TV movie, which was set to start production that summer.
The Anita Blake TV Movie Was Quickly Canceled
Little is really known about the proposed Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter movie, including which book it would have adapted or who was in the running to play the lead. Laurell K. Hamilton confirmed on her blog the movie wasn’t happening and seemed to imply she rather it didn’t happen at all than move ahead in a form she wasn’t happy with.
There Are No Plans For An Anita Blake Movie
The Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter books are still popular but since the TV movie died, there have been no signs of another adaptation being mounted. Other movies and TV shows like The Vampire Diaries have come and gone and somewhat stolen the freshness of the concept too.
Again, it seems Hamilton is more comfortable with the idea of a movie not happening, rather than it coming together and being underwhelming. There’s every chance an Anita Blake movie or TV series could come together someday, but over 25 years after the first book was published, it seems fans will be waiting a while longer.
Next: The Vampire Diaries Season 9 Updates: Is It Happening?