According to Film Ratings, Universal Pictures’ forthcoming horror comedy Renfield has officially been given a R-rating from the MPAA for “bloody violence, some gore, language throughout and some drug use.” The film’s rating doesn’t come as a surprise, as this echoes producer Robert Kirkman’s previous statement about the newest Dracula adaptation where he described the story as “fun” and “extremely violent.”

The Nicholas Hoult-led film is scheduled to make its debut in theaters on April 14, 2023, pitting it against an independent crime comedy Mafia Mamma starring Toni Collette.

Renfield stars Nicholas Hoult (Mad Max: Fury Road), Golden Globe winner Awkwafina (The Farewell), Oscar winner Nicolas Cage (Mandy), Oscar nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo (The Expanse), Ben Schwartz (Parks and Recreation), Adrian Martinez (Focus), and Bess Rous (Ghostbusters).

It centers around Dracula’s titular henchman, “who has grown sick and tired of the centuries he has worked as the dark prince’s lackey,” reads the synopsis. “He finds a new lease on life when he falls in love for a feisty, perennially angry traffic cop.

Renfield is being directed and produced by Chris McKay (The Tomorrow War) from a story based on an original pitch from The Walking Dead’s Robert Kirkman and was written by Ryan Ridley (Rick and Morty). Producers are Skybound Entertainment’s Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst, and Sean Furst, with McKay’s partner Samantha Nisenboim set as an executive producer.

Renfield is part of Universal’s growing list of upcoming monster projects, including Elizabeth Banks’ Invisible Woman, Matt Stawki’s Monster Mash, Karyn Kusama’s Dracula, the Ryan Gosling-led Wolfman film, David Keopp’s long-gestated The Bride of Frankenstein reboot, Josh Cooley’s Little Monsters film, Blumhouse’s The Thing adaptation, the James Wan-produced Van Helsing movie, and more.

Strange World will soon be available on the digital and domestic markets. The latest Disney Animation release will hit all major digital platforms on December 23, while it will be available on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, and DVD on February 14, 2023. In spite of a disappointing theatrical run that ended with $54 million at the box office, critics praised the PG-rated film.

Disney also announced the bonus content available to people buying Strange World. The complete list includes the following:

• Anatomy of a Scene: Creating A Strange World – Learn about Walt Disney Animation Studios’ creative process through a single, visually stunning scene as the filmmaking team puts all of their imagination – and more – on the screen.
• Strange Science – Jaboukie Young-White (voice of Ethan Clade) hosts an exploration of how Walt Disney Animation Studios artists were inspired by real science to create Strange World.
• Creature Feature – Journey into the world beneath Avalonia and meet some of the terrifying, slimy, gassy – and sometimes cute – creatures that inhabit this Strange World.
• The Hidden Secrets of Strange World – Uncover the references and characters from some of your favorite Walt Disney Animation Studios films hidden throughout the film, along with some fun facts and behind–the–scenes stories of how Strange World was made.
• Outtakes – Go behind the glass as we join the cast of Strange World inside the recording booth for some fun, flubs and outtakes.
• Deleted Scenes
  • “The Ballad of Jaeger Clade”
  • “Lightning Lynx”
  • “Funerals and Promises”
  • “Ethan and Searcher”

Check out the Strange World cover art below:

The original action-adventure film is a nod to pulp magazines—popular fiction from the first half of the 20th century printed on inexpensive wood pulp paper. The film features the voices of Jake Gyllenhaal, Jaboukie Young-White, Dennis Quaid, as well as Gabrielle Union, and Lucy Liu.

“The film journeys deep into a world where fantastical creatures await the legendary Clades, a family of explorers as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures.” reads the synopsis.

Don Hall (Big Hero 6) and Qui Nguyen co-directed Strange World after previously collaborating on last year’s Raya and the Last Dragon. Roy Conli (Tangled) served as producer.