This weekend, the reimagined version of “Wolf Man” from Universal Pictures hits theaters, continuing one of their cherished Monster series. Leigh Whannell, who did wonders with “The Invisible Man,” is behind the direction and co-writing of this project, promising a daring, violent twist on Universal’s werewolf films. It will also add another layer to a legacy that spans close to a century.
Due to its rich history, it’s crucial to recognize that the character known as “Wolf Man” is part of an extensive collection of tales, similar to other Universal Monsters properties. With its release in theaters this Friday (secure your tickets here!), let’s delve into a quick overview of the historical journey of Universal’s “Wolf Man” series.
For More on Leigh Whannell
As a die-hard ’80s horror movie fan, I can confidently say that Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man is like a heartfelt tribute to all the gore and body horror films we adore.
And here’s something intriguing: The mastermind behind the Wolf Man, Leigh Whannell, has already got his mind buzzing with concepts for another Universal Monster movie sequel! I can hardly wait to see what he cooks up next.
As for The Invisible Man from 2020, it truly nailed the art of battling an unseen adversary, making us feel like we were right there in the thick of it!
Looking back at the history of the Classic Universal Monster, The Wolf Man
The Beginning of The Wolf Man
In terms of werewolf movies, it’s important to note that the Universal Studios’ “Wolf Man” franchise wasn’t their inaugural attempt. That honor goes to “Werewolf of London,” released in 1935, which marked the first significant werewolf feature film. Directed by Stuart Walker and starring Henry Hull as the protagonist, this movie revolves around a botanist who gets bitten by a werewolf while exploring Tibet for a rare plant. Upon his return to London, he starts transforming into a werewolf. The makeup was designed by the renowned Jack Davis, and it offers a unique take on werewolf folklore. Although overshadowed by “The Wolf Man” in later years, “Werewolf of London” remains a significant contribution to Universal Monsters’ library. It was followed by a kind-of sequel titled “She-Wolf of London,” released in 1946.
Six years following “Werewolf of London,” the werewolf character Universal is familiar with would debut in “The Wolf Man,” directed by George Waggner and penned by Curt Siodmak. Lon Chaney Jr. portrayed Lawrence “Larry” Talbot in this movie, which helped establish many of the classic werewolf tropes we see in films today, such as their vulnerability to silver. The film’s chilling atmosphere, terrifying moments, and emphasis on an ordinary individual dealing with extraordinary circumstances contributed to its success at Universal, and Larry Talbot soon became a crucial component of their monster franchise.
The Monster Rallies
Unlike Frankenstein’s Monster and the Mummy who established their own franchises in the 1930s, The Wolf Man did not receive a solo series of films. There are no direct sequels featuring Lon Chaney as Larry Talbot. However, what we ended up with might be even more entertaining.
Following the triumph of “The Wolf Man”, Universal chose to combine Lon Chaney Jr.’s character, Larry Talbot, with Frankenstein’s Monster in what is now known as the first installment of the classic “monster movie” series. This was a genre that Universal would continue to produce extensively throughout the 1940s. In 1943, we were treated to “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man”, a film that introduced significant alterations to the mythology of the werewolf in the Universal Monsters universe and resurrected Larry Talbot from his supposed demise.
In the end, the conflict was impactful enough that a year afterwards, Universal repeated the feat, introducing Dracula (John Carradine) and fresh mad scientists to the storyline with House of Frankenstein. This was then followed by House of Dracula in 1945, and in 1948 by Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein, a horror-comedy that also included Bela Lugosi’s sole genuine reprise as Dracula. This film marked Chaney’s final appearance, and concluded the classic saga of Universal Monsters regarding Larry Talbot. However, similar to most monsters in Universal’s library, The Wolf Man didn’t remain deceased forever.
The Wolf Man’s Revival
Although Universal reimagined Dracula as early as 1979 and resurrected The Mummy in 1999, the route to reviving The Wolf Man was more unconventional. Following the success of The Mummy and The Mummy Returns, the studio enlisted director Stephen Sommers to develop Van Helsing, a monster-hunter movie that would also spawn a fresh monster ensemble, including updated portrayals of Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, and indeed, werewolves. This film introduced a new Wolf Man character in Universal lore, named Velkan Velarious (played by Will Kemp), but due to his role within a larger monster narrative in that film, we didn’t get to know him well.
In 2010, a remake of Lawrence Talbot was brought to life by director Joe Johnston in collaboration with Universal, titled The Wolfman. Benicio del Toro played the lead role, with the story’s setting shifted to the late 19th century to create a darker, Gothic ambiance. Despite not being a major box office hit, it was awarded an Academy Award for Best Makeup (shared by Rick Baker and Dave Elsey), and over time, has garnered increasing admiration from horror enthusiasts.
What is Leigh Whannell’s Wolf Man about?
This leads us to the current situation. Following the failure of the Dark Universe experiment to take flight, a “Wolf Man” movie evolved into one of those projects that underwent multiple changes before settling on being directed by Whannell and starring Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner. The upcoming film, named simply “Wolf Man,” focuses on the Lovell family – Blake, Charlotte, and their daughter Ginger – as they venture into the woods to Blake’s rural Oregon childhood home. After surviving an attack from a strange creature, the family intends to spend the night in safety within their farmhouse. However, a sinister metamorphosis has already begun inside those very walls.
On the 17th of January, Leigh Whannell’s take on The Wolf Man will be in cinemas. You can grab your tickets right now!
Or:
Starting this Friday, 17th January, catch Leigh Whannell’s version of The Wolf Man at the movies. Tickets are already available for purchase!
Or:
Don’t miss out on Leigh Whannell’s The Wolf Man hitting theaters on the 17th of January! Get your tickets here today!
When will Wolf Man stream on Peacock?
The new Wolf Man will stream on Peacock later this year. Check back for more updates!
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2025-01-14 23:04