Wolf Man Director Leigh Whannell Reveals Why He’d Like to Tackle Jekyll & Hyde Next

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Five years later, Leigh Whannell, the mastermind behind “The Invisible Man”, is once again at the helm, delving into another legendary Universal creature with his new movie titled “Wolf Man”. This fresh take on werewolf themes offers a modern perspective, with Whannell and his collaborator/spouse, Corbett Tuck, crafting a narrative that emphasizes a more personal and confined portrayal of the horror inherent in this monster’s transformative nature. (Tickets can be found here!)

At a recent showing of the movie “Wolf Man” in Los Angeles, SYFY WIRE was present. During the event, director James Wan commented on revisiting the Universal Monsters series: “In my opinion, these monster figures are so adaptable, and they’re such rich characters that you can effortlessly move them from their original era, and seamlessly integrate them into a contemporary narrative.

As someone who’s already taken down a couple of beasts, I can’t help but wonder if Leigh Whannell might fancy diving back into the universe he once mapped out, the Dark Universe, or perhaps creating a solo adventure for another monster. With strong feelings about each creature I encountered, it seems there could be more to explore.

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Wolf Man writer/director Leigh Whannell’s thoughts on a Dark Universe of Classic Universal Monsters

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but reflect on the demise of Universal Picture’s ambitious Dark Universe franchise, which was supposed to intertwine their classic monster films. The nail in the coffin seemed to be 2017’s “The Mummy.” However, seeing the triumph of subsequent standalone monster movies has sparked discussions among horror enthusiasts about whether a second attempt with Leigh Whannell at the helm could potentially yield better results?

When asked about it during a screening, Whannell replied, “If someone offered me control over the Monster-verse or Dark Universe, I wouldn’t hesitate because it feels like reverse engineering. It’s not me approaching them; it’s them approaching me that would make me consider it. At the moment, I’m in the middle of releasing this film, but my thoughts are drawn to original scripts. I grew up on original stories, and that’s what I love.

In a similar fashion to the ‘Wolf Man’, Whannell mentioned that the project was presented to him by Blumhouse and Universal. He subsequently devised a unique approach. As he put it, “Sometimes the projects come to you.” This unexpected opportunity arises when least expected.

Leigh Whannell on why he’d like to tackle Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as his next Universal Monster reimagining

During the screening, Whannell expressed admiration for his fellow filmmakers, such as Robert Eggers and his modern adaptation of Nosferatu, demonstrating a way to rejuvenate the classic horror of the Universal Monsters.

He found that the characters, once so commonplace, were almost losing their menacing edge. “Now they’re even used to sell toothpaste,” he noted. But something has changed lately – a shift in perception, perhaps. “I recently watched Nosferatu, and I get the feeling these monsters are being rediscovered, and people are trying to recapture their original terror.” He believes that this can still be achieved. While Robert Eggers is taking a more historical approach, his own strategy is to make the story as contemporary as possible, making it feel fresh and new rather than an old tale.

Regarding which monster he might take on next, Whannell mused: “Guillermo del Toro is working on Frankenstein, so that’s off the table. I believe James Wan is going for the Creature from the Black Lagoon. It seems like no one has updated Jekyll and Hyde in a while, so I think that character is ripe for a fresh take. The intrigue of having the antagonist and protagonist as the same person in this duality concept appeals to me. I believe it would be fascinating to reimagine that in a contemporary setting.

Catch Wolf Man in theaters everywhere January 17, 2025.

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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2025-01-20 18:01