Wolf Man” Director Declares “Invisible Man

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Regarding “The Invisible Man,” which was both commercially successful and critically acclaimed, revitalizing the Universal Monsters franchise in a manner that the Dark Universe could not, its director, Leigh Whannell, expresses no interest in creating a follow-up.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share my excitement about “The Invisible Man” that graced our cinema screens on February 28, 2020. Even though it was only in theaters for a brief three weeks before the COVID-19 pandemic forced a year-long shutdown, this film left an indelible mark with its stunning earnings of $144.5 million at the global box office on a mere $7 million budget.

Critics’ praise and positive word of mouth turned director Leigh Whannell into the go-to talent for reimagining Universal Monsters for the 21st century, a trend he is continuing with “Wolf Man”.

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter following the release of Wolf Man, Whannell was questioned about potential sequels to 2020’s The Invisible Man. Whannell hinted that Universal Pictures may be keen on making more Invisible Man films, but he himself does not feel drawn to revisit the franchise. Instead, Whannell views the ending as a fulfilling finale, preferring to move forward with new projects rather than pursuing additional installments in the series.

I was thoroughly satisfied with the ending of ‘Invisible Man,’ to the point where I don’t feel compelled artistically to continue the story. Financially, there might be a different perspective – the studio may want to prolong it for monetary gain. However, from an artistic standpoint, I feel like that closed door should remain shut.

2020’s “The Invisible Man” concluded with Cecilia, portrayed by Elisabeth Moss, making off with the invisible suit of her former boyfriend Adrian Griffin, having used it to bring about his demise. This act served not only as a victory over her abuser but also as a claim to the suit itself. The movie hinted at the possibility of a sequel by leaving certain aspects unresolved.

Although Whannell appears uninvolved, Blumhouse producer Jason Blum and the original film’s star Moss seem to be collaborating on a possible sequel. During an episode of the Happy Sad Confused Podcast in April 2024, Moss stated, “We are closer than we’ve ever been to solving it. I feel quite positive about it. We are determined to continue this story, definitely.

Universal’s New Dark Universe is Not Connected

Despite director Leigh Whannell denying plans for an Invisible Man sequel, signs suggest a follow-up is in progress. Earlier plans for Elizabeth Banks’s Invisible Woman film at Universal Pictures appeared to have been put on hold, as she had been developing it since 2019, prior to the premiere of Whannell’s Invisible Man. In 2024, coincidentally the year mentioned by Moss for her sequel to The Invisible Man, Banks stated that:

The original “Invisible Man” film was produced, and a new one is currently being made. It seems Universal intends to continue with this project. I’m intrigued by our idea for it, which remains intact, but I’m not actively developing it at the moment.

Following the notorious collapse of The Dark Universe project, which aimed to create a linked series of monster movies, Universal Pictures has switched tactics regarding its well-known stable of characters. Rather than insisting on a single, continuous storyline, the studio and its affiliate Focus Features are now encouraging diverse filmmakers to reimagine these monsters in various genres, prioritizing unique interpretations over continuity concerns.

Over the span of two years, Universal Studios produced four distinct takes on the Dracula tale. The comedy-focused film “Renfield” was unveiled prior to the period horror flick “The Last Voyage of Demeter”. This was swiftly succeeded by a modern retelling titled “Dracula’s Daughter”, renamed “Abagail”. The series concluded with the box office sensation “Nosferatu”, a reinterpretation of a 1922 film that emulated “Dracula”.

In the process, Lisa Frankenstein crafted a dark and romantic retelling of the Frankenstein tale with a hint of Heathers, whereas Whannell offers a realistic interpretation of the Wolf Man story.

It’s intriguing to consider a sequel for “The Invisible Man,” but it seems less essential. This is due to the excitement in having diverse interpretations coexist, rather than repeating past stories.

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2025-01-18 01:31