CEBU, Philippines - Funnyman Adam Sandler lends his voice to Dracula, in Columbia Pictures’ new 3D, animated comedy “Hotel Transylvania.”
In the film, all of the qualities that make the Prince of Darkness the indisputable leader of monsters—his strength dominance charisma and perhaps over-controlling nature—also happen to make him an excellent manager of Hotel Transylvania – the lavish five-stake resort, where monsters and their families can live it up, free to be the monsters they are without humans to bother them.
Problem is, where his daughter Mavis (voice by Selena Gomez) is concerned, Dracula’s a softy. Fearful for his daughter’s safety, he’s kept her in the sanctuary of his hotel her entire life, away from the torch-wielding humans he remembers so well. But now, on the eve of her 118th birthday, he must keep a promise he made to let her see the world for the first time.
Unfortunately, in the midst of this, a hotel brimming with monster guests, and the arrival of the first human ever to set foot in the castle, Drac’s well-laid plans start to unravel fast. What is a doting vampire father to do—continue to protect Mavis from the threat of humans, or relinquish control and let her spread her (bat) wings and fly…?
“I wanted Adam to redefine Dracula for a new generation,” says director Genndy Tartakovsky. “We’ve seen the Bela Lugosi’s Dracula and all the other Draculas; I wanted a performance that would be a new Dracula for our generation.”
The character is truly a new take on Dracula. “I’m most proud of Dracula – he’s a fun, manic character to watch,” says the director. “I love to see how people react to the animation – how crazy and fun it gets. I’ve shown some of it to my kids, and their eyes open wide. The most important thing is that it never takes itself seriously – it’s just so fun.”
“Adam is not only the star of the movie, but has been very involved with the making of the film,” says producer Michelle Murdocca. “Of course, he brings the comedy, but he also has a lot of warmth, which comes out in his scenes with Mavis – he’s the loving, doting dad. Then, in the scenes with Dracula’s friends, Dracula can be a little controlling – a guy who wants things a certain way. Adam brings an amazing richness where he can turn on a dime – all of these aspects are part of the same character, the same performance.”
Working with Sandler brought an unexpected challenge for Tartakovsky that created a memorable moment. “It was very intimidating when we had our first creative meeting where Adam and some of his guys would be riffing on some jokes. I sat quietly, nervous to contribute. But then I gathered some courage and jumped in, and when they laughed I felt relieved.”
Opening across the Philippines in Sept. 19 in Digital 3D and regular theaters, “Hotel Transylvania” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International.