UPDATE: Or maybe not.

Depending on how you feel about film writer/director Paul W. S. Anderson (of Resident Evil and Alien vs. Predator fame/infamy) the following news may elate or depress you.  Dread Central has word that he has left the Castlevania film project, sending the movie deeper into development hell.

The film, based on the long-running video game franchise from Konami, has been in development hell since it was first announced, but Anderson’s always been on as director and writer. Apparently either he didn’t like where the project was going or didn’t feel like waiting anymore, because now he’s off all together.

While Anderson wasn't my first choice to helm Castlevania, I am kind of sorry to see him go.  Under his leadership the film may at least have been made (even if the current script deviated from the Castlevania central timeline).  If the project is handed to a lesser director then there's no telling how horrible the movie may be.  I'm trying to stay optimistic and hope that a better creative force will join the production team, but a part of me can't help but think that the Castlevania movie has just been slain.

(via Dark Horizons via NeoGAF)