DiCaprio's Appian Way Developing Bela Lugosi Biopic at Universal

Leonardo DiCaprio’s Appian Way Productions is developing a biopic of Hungarian actor Béla Lugosi with Universal Pictures, the companies and people familiar with the project said. The film, still in early development after being pitched to the studio about two years ago, will focus on Lugosi’s rise from immigrant performer to the actor who created the role of Count Dracula on Broadway and in Universal’s 1931 film, and on the career decline that followed.

Scott Alexander and Larry Karaszewski, the screenwriting team behind the 1994 film Ed Wood, wrote the screenplay. Unlike Ed Wood, which depicted Lugosi late in life and earned Martin Landau an Academy Award for his portrayal, the new script is intended to chart a younger Lugosi’s journey: his immigration from Hungary, his Broadway triumph as Dracula, the transition to Hollywood stardom, and the professional setbacks that followed, including his decision not to take the role in Frankenstein, a part that went to Boris Karloff and reshaped both actors’ careers. Universal declined to comment.

DiCaprio will produce the project through Appian Way alongside Jennifer Davisson, Michael Hampton, and producers Alex Cutler and Darryl...