25 Things You Didn't Know About Bram Stoker's Dracula
18. Liam Neeson As Van Helsing?
When the role of vampire-hunter Van Helsing was announced, Neeson auditioned for the part. With his gentle yet imposing stature, Neeson might have brought an entirely different angle to the character, but unfortunately for him, Anthony Hopkins was to steal the show.
Surfing the wave of accolades from The Silence Of The Lambs in 1991, Hopkins was in a position to pick up almost any role he desired and sought the part of Van Helsing for himself. It would prove to be an inspired piece of casting as Hopkins captured the eccentric expert of the occult perfectly.