The film is an homage and tribute to the universal horror monster films from the 1930s and 40s also produced by universal studios which were in turn based on novels by bram stoker and mary. It marked scrappy doos last appearance as a protagonist in the scooby doo franchise to date. Van helsing is a 2004 american period action horror film written and directed by stephen sommersit stars hugh jackman as vigilante monster hunter van helsing and kate beckinsale as anna valerious.