Elizabeth Banks Provides Update on The Invisible Woman Remake

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Summary

  • Universal’s Dark Universe plans were scrapped after The Mummy flop, leading to stand-alone monster movie reworks like The Invisible Man.
  • Elizabeth Banks’ The Invisible Woman project got shelved due to COVID-19 and industry organization strikes, disappointing fans.
  • Other monster movies followed The Mummy’s failure, with hits like The Invisible Man and Abigail offering hope for the future of Universal Monsters.

As a seasoned movie critic with over three decades of industry experience under my belt, I’ve seen the ebb and flow of trends, the rise and fall of studios, and the birth and death of countless cinematic universes. The tale of Universal’s Dark Universe is one that leaves me both amused and saddened.

Initially in 2017, the movie “The Mummy” starring Tom Cruise was meant to initiate Universal’s Dark Universe. However, the ill-timed reboot of this intellectual property failed miserably, causing chaos for other planned films. As a result, those that didn’t get cancelled were revamped and released individually, much like Leigh Whannell’s impressive “The Invisible Man”. One such original project was “The Invisible Woman”, a contemporary adaptation of the 1940s comedy with a similar title.

However, due to COVID-19 related setbacks and two labor disputes in 2023 with the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, it appears the revised project may be following a similar path as the abandoned Dark Universe version.

It’s disappointing that Elizabeth Banks won’t be directing the movie anymore, as it would have been her next project following the success of “Cocaine Bear.” Notably, she was also supposed to play the lead role in this film. During an interview about her new film “Skincare,” where she doesn’t act as a director, Banks shared the unfortunate news about the movie’s current state.

One point of note is that Universal has produced an Invisible Man film, with plans for another one. It appears they are committed to this project. While I am intrigued by our concept, it’s not something I’m currently focusing on. At present, I’m engaged in a TV show production. After this and the next TV show, we’ll evaluate the next steps.

What Other Universal Monster Movies Have Been Released Since The Mummy (2017)?

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I’ve been following the unfortunate news about the Dark Universe project. For instance, there was Paul Feig’s ambitious project, “Dark Army,” which wasn’t a direct adaptation of any existing film but instead aimed to weave together the rich tapestry of Universal Monsters in a unique way. Another promising title that seems to have been shelved is the “Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde” movie, where Russell Crowe was set to reprise his role from “The Mummy.”

Additionally, there existed another movie adaptation of “Invisible Man,” distinct from the Whannell version, which ultimately made it to theaters (it’s worth mentioning that while Banks suggests a sequel, an official announcement has yet to be made). Originally, Johnny Depp was set to play the main character in this version, and it was intended to be a high-budget production.

As a movie critic, I’d rephrase it like this: “Following closely on the heels of ‘The Mummy,’ another film that nearly made it to the cameras was ‘The Bride of Frankenstein,’ starring Javier Bardem and Angelina Jolie. This potential sequel would have been a fitting successor.”

As a cinephile who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of cinema, I must admit that the recent string of films based on classic horror characters has left me feeling rather underwhelmed. Three years ago, we were treated to the thought-provoking and chilling reimagining of The Invisible Man, which still stands out as a high point in contemporary horror. However, the subsequent release of two Dracula films left me cold. One was the comedic take on Renfield, a choice that felt misguided given the dark and brooding nature of the character. The other, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, while more faithful to the source material, lacked the tension and suspense needed to truly terrify audiences.

In 2024, I had the pleasure of watching “Abigail,” which, aside from “The Invisible Man,” was my top pick. This movie, helmed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who also directed “Scream” (2022) and its upcoming sequel “Scream VI,” garnered praise from critics and managed to rake in a modest income at the box office. Moving forward to 2025, I’m excitedly looking forward to “Wolf Man.” This film is directed by Leigh Whannell, who gave us “The Invisible Man,” and features Christopher Abbott from “Poor Things” and Julia Garner from “Ozark.” With such a talented cast and crew, this one definitely has potential.

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2024-08-05 03:32