Russell Crowe in Talks to Join Dracula Tale 'Harker'

When we first heard word about a year ago of Warner Bros. and Leonardo DiCaprio teaming to bring the spec script Harker - a re-imagining of Bram Stoker's Dracula told from Jonathan Harker's point of view - to life, there was much to be excited about.

For one, the vampire genre was in dire need on a re-invention with the Twilight craze being on the loose the past few years.  Also, the fact the Leonardo DiCaprio was involved in the project and anything the guy has his hand in will be top notch.  Finally, the fact that Jaume Collet-Serra (Unknown, Orphan) would be directing as he has proven himself as an up-and-coming capable director.

Since then, the only news about the project was that Collet-Serra had left the project to work on the live-action adaptation of Akira.  However, since that project has recently run into budget problems, it seems as if Collet-Serra is back on the project with a star to go with him.

Vulture reports that none other than Academy Award winner Russell Crowe is in talks to join the film for the title role as Harker (in this tale he will be a Scotland Yard worker in England - not a lawyer as in previous incarnations - who hunts down the monster causing havoc).

No word yet on who will play Dracula or when the film is will start filming but it's safe to say the flick will go before the camera sometime by the end of the year.