As a horror enthusiast with an affinity for Universal Monsters and a deep respect for Leigh Whannell’s storytelling prowess, I find myself utterly captivated by his potential ventures into these classic terrors. With The Invisible Man under his belt, he has already demonstrated a remarkable ability to breathe new life into these timeless creatures of the night.
I have a strong affection for many outstanding horror films, and it seems to me that we’re experiencing a genuine renaissance within this genre. A prime example is Leigh Whannell, who recently directed one of the most intriguing horror movies in recent years with his remake of “The Invisible Man,” which we highly praised.
In an upcoming interview with Empire (through Syfy), Whannell revealed which classic Universal Monster character he’d like to tackle next, should the opportunity arise. While I won’t reveal his choice here, I’ll share some other beloved Universal Horror icons that I’d be thrilled to see him take on if he missed out on his top pick.
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1923)
As a gaming enthusiast, let me share a bit about my latest piece where I gushed over the 2010 The Wolfman film. In it, I admitted that I’d missed out on the original 1933 The Invisible Man starring Claude Rains – but fear not! I did catch the 2020 remake by Leigh Whannell.
One aspect I appreciate about that film is its ability to update the original concept (a man discovers how to become invisible and uses it to harass others, which I learned from the book). It seems he’s following a similar approach with the upcoming “Wolf Man,” even infusing elements of body horror for added impact.
Given that reimagining classic horrors appears to be something that Whannell excels at, I can’t help but wonder how fascinating it would be to witness his interpretation of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame“. While maintaining its 15th century roots is crucial, I’m curious to see if he could rework this timeless story in a contemporary setting instead.
A tale about a humpbacked character assisting a woman who’s courted by the wicked brother of a high-ranking church official was made during Disney’s renaissance era, and it had quite an ominous tone for a movie suitable for all ages. I can’t help but wonder what it would look like if James Wan’s creative mind were behind it.
I could imagine a Quasimodo-like figure being tortured, Saw-style, only for said figure to turn the tables on his captor. I don’t know. I just think it would be cool to get a modernized take on this classic story, and believe Whannell would be the perfect guy for the job.
The Phantom Of The Opera (1925)
Regarding “The Invisible Man,” what I found particularly appealing about Whannell’s style was his unique method of addressing the theme of an abusive relationship by embedding it within the framework of a chilling horror tale.
Instead of making him revisit old ground again, I’d be thrilled if we could witness his interpretation of “The Phantom of the Opera,” a story that delves into the most intense form of possession in a relationship.
In contrast to Whannell’s “Invisible Man,” where the main character’s boyfriend was as toxic as one could be, the Phantom represents a situation of toxic reciprocity. He believes he is entitled to the love of a young singer because he has been working to advance her career (albeit through violent means). Not only does he attempt to harm her boyfriend when he tries to save her, but he also imprisoned him in a room with an intention to kill him.
Are you following my idea here? It would be intriguing to explore a contemporary interpretation where the singer encounters captivity yet responds with defiance, similar to Elizabeth Moss’s character in “The Invisible Man.” Additionally, instead of maintaining the romanticized mystery surrounding the Phantom, I think it could be more captivating to portray him as an incel, creating a darker and less appealing persona.
Beyond that point, given that Whannell was instrumental in developing the Saw franchise, it’s reasonable to anticipate that the room where the Phantom attempts to murder the singer’s boyfriend will be equally chaotic and intricate, much like the traps in the Saw series. Frankly, Whannell, I hope you consider making this film your next project. It seems ripe for such a production!
Frankenstein (1931)
It’s likely that those who haven’t read Mary Shelley’s novel “Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus” are nonetheless familiar with the fact that ‘Frankenstein’ refers to the scientist, rather than the infamous creature.
Instead of featuring the traditional monster in a Frankenstein film, imagine one where the doctor is actually the monstrous character. Rather than creating life, he cold-bloodedly takes it, using human bodies for scientific advancements. What a gripping twist that would be!
To clarify for those unacquainted, “Frankenstein” is about a scientist who takes corpses’ body parts and assembles them to form a new creature.
Initially breaking free from its enclosure, the entity unintentionally harms several individuals initially. However, it deliberately inflicts harm on others later. This sparks outrage among the townsfolk, prompting them to pursue the creature. Reminiscent of familiar tales.
The story has undergone various changes, such as the latest “Lisa Frankenstein,” which sparked intense reactions from some of our team members. I’d appreciate a contemporary retelling of this tale, and it could abandon the “Frankenstein” moniker entirely, opting instead for “The Modern Prometheus.” If viewers weren’t preconditioned to expect the monster, then a fundamentally different yet similar story could be crafted. Furthermore, Leigh Whannell is known for his inventiveness, so I trust he would devise a much more captivating concept for a new Frankenstein movie than what I just suggested.
The Mummy (1932)
Currently, “The Mummy” (from 2017, starring Tom Cruise) is quite intriguing. This particular film is notably known for marking both the beginning and the demise of Universal’s intended Dark Universe project.
Apart from that, Whannell’s “The Invisible Man” is often viewed as the catalyst that rekindled the Universal Monsters. The Wolf Man also played a role in their return to the cinemas. I personally found “The Last Voyage of the Demeter” engaging, and our colleague Mike Reyes believes it could have rescued the Dark Universe if it had been used instead of “The Mummy” at the outset.
As a devoted fan, if given the chance to resurrect the iconic franchise that is “The Mummy,” I firmly believe James Wan would be the ideal choice. The reason being, many of us still vividly recall the thrilling Brendan Fraser films associated with this series, and unfortunately, the Tom Cruise movie followed suit as an action-packed adventure. So, it’s all about rekindling the magic of those classic Mummy movies!
Instead of venturing into different genres, let’s revisit the original horror elements. The 1932 film, in essence, is a romantic tale where a mummy is resurrected and attempts to revive his love, causing chaos and death. Contemporary adaptations have taken this concept towards adventure lands, but I yearn for a classic, chilling version, with Whannell as the director.
Make it gross, make it spooky, make it however you want. Just please make it, Mr. Whannell!
The Invisible Woman (1940)
Wrapping up, wouldn’t it be splendid if Whannell concluded his Universal Horror series by revisiting The Invisible Woman? While the original film is more of a comedic romance rather than horror, I can’t help but imagine how fascinating it would be to witness him tackle this theme.
In the initial movie, a female character loses her job and later becomes invisible. Upon returning to haunt her ex-boss, she inadvertently ends his life and develops an unexpected fondness for the act of taking it. (Alongside other plot points.)
I’m drawn to the concept of an elusive female serial killer who’s claiming lives without any particular motive or vendetta. It’s not necessary for her character to be seeking revenge against wronged men; I’d simply enjoy watching a film that features a hidden female serial killer.
It’s my belief that this concept could serve as an intriguing contrast to his initial Universal Monster film. Frankly, Whannell is known for his creativity, so I’m confident he could develop a far more captivating notion. However, imagine the thrill if he transformed this seemingly trivial movie into something chilling and indelible, similar to The Invisible Man.
For more news on other upcoming Blumhouse horror movies, be sure to swing by here often!
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2024-12-15 02:07