First Look at Universal’s Wolf Man Reboot Teases Divisive New Look

First Look at Universal's Wolf Man Reboot Teases Divisive New Look

As a long-time horror aficionado who has seen countless werewolf movies from classics like “An American Werewolf in London” and “The Howling,” to modern takes such as “Dog Soldiers,” I must admit that my initial reaction to the design of Universal’s upcoming “Wolf Man” was underwhelming. The creature, as seen at Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights, appears more like a human in a silly costume than a terrifying werewolf.

Universal has shared a sneak peek of director Leigh Whannell’s upcoming “Wolf Man” at Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights, rather than through a promotional photo, poster, or trailer. After the financial and critical failure of “The Mummy,” which was intended to launch the “Dark Universe” franchise, Universal opted to revive “The Invisible Man” with Leigh Whannell directing. The film proved successful, and now Universal Pictures hopes for a similar triumph as they team up once more with Whannell and Blumhouse Productions on the reboot of “The Wolfman,” now known as “Wolf Man,” starring Christopher Abbott in the main role

The character known as “Wolf Man” has had a less-than-ideal debut, with initial reactions falling short of the studio’s expected excitement. User HHNSpeculationMatt shared a video from his trip to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, Florida, revealing the new Wolf Man’s design. This design is quite different from the original 1941 version portrayed in “The Wolfman,” which was reimagined in the 2010 adaptation. Additionally, it does not share a likeness with the wolf-like designs seen in Universal’s own movies such as “Van Helsing” and “An American Werewolf in London.”

Feedback on the design has been highly controversial. Reyna Cervantes, co-host of the horror podcast Rotten FM and contributor for Fangoria and Bloody Disgusting, stated, “Definitely a January release.” ScarahScrewdriveR-Sawyer commented, “This is probably what Blumhouse considers a werewolf to look like, laughing out loud.” Browse Horror said, “I’ve seen people in Walmart who look more like Wolfman than this.” Many critics are dissatisfied because the creature doesn’t appear wolf-like enough

I understand that it can be challenging to convince many people about the merits of this change. However, it’s essential to remember that evaluating a film or design based solely on a rubber mask designed for theme park performers might not provide an accurate representation. As Richard Newby, a writer for The Hollywood Reporter and Fangoria, puts it, “It’s astonishing how some individuals can become overly critical about something that is out of context, not screen-accurate, and shot in broad daylight with an iPhone.” Similarly, Zack Stentz, a screenwriter, trusts director Leigh Whannell’s work on the Invisible Man but seems to be unfairly dismissing another project just because there’s someone wearing a costume at Universal Studios

Where is the Wolf, Man?

First Look at Universal's Wolf Man Reboot Teases Divisive New Look

The 2010 adaptation of “Wolf Man,” titled “The Wolfman,” had an eventful journey to reach the cinema screens. Its production was fraught with difficulties, causing a delay of almost two years. The numerous alterations behind the scenes led to an increased budget, which ultimately made the movie a flop at the box office. Given its status as one of Universal’s classic monsters, it was inevitable that the studio would attempt to rejuvenate the series. During the short-lived Dark Universe era, Universal initially intended for Dwayne Johnson to portray the Wolfman. At one point, Ryan Gosling was slated to step into the role of the Wolfman after his Academy Award-nominated performance in “Barbie,” with his “Blue Valentine” director, Derek Cianfrance, directing the movie, indicating a unique take on the horror genre. However, these plans were dropped at the eleventh hour, with Leigh Whannell taking over as director and Christopher Abbott replacing Gosling in the main role

In an innovative twist, Whannell reimagined “The Invisible Man“, transforming the character from a scientist who gains invisibility through a potion, to an abusive partner who employs a high-tech suit for invisibility. This creative approach has earned him the trust to tackle “Wolf Man“. The upcoming film could be excellent, but the design choice leaves one puzzled. Although vampire, zombie, and ghost films are common, werewolf movies have become scarce. The Wolfman is synonymous with werewolves in the minds of many, so the absence of traditional wolf-like features – such as a snout, digitigrade legs, or deviating from Jack Pierce’s 1941 “The Wolf Man” design – raises some disappointment. If not for the title “Wolf Man“, most viewers might not recognize this design as a werewolf, instead assuming it to be a goblin, troll, or vampire. Despite the disappointing design choice, let’s hope that it looks better in the final cut, and ultimately, what truly matters is the quality of the movie itself

Wolf Man
opens in theaters on January 17, 2025.

2024-09-05 23:12

Where is the Wolf, Man?

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