Claim: Luke Evans starred in Dracula Untold, a Dracula origin story.

Dracula Untold is a 2014 American dark fantasy action horror film directed by Gary Shore in his feature film debut and written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless . Rather than using the storyline Irish novelist Bram Stoker 's 1897 novel Dracula , the film creates an origin story for its title character , Count Dracula ; in this version , Dracula is Vlad the Impaler . Luke Evans portrays the title character , and Sarah Gadon , Dominic Cooper , Art Parkinson , and Charles Dance appear in supporting roles .   Principal photography began on August 5 , 2013 , in Northern Ireland . Universal Pictures released the film on October 10 , 2014 , in cinemas and IMAX .   Despite being a box office success , grossing $ 217 million worldwide , Dracula Untold received mixed critical reviews , with praise for Luke Evans 's performance and the story , and criticism of the characterization .