The classic Universal monster movies are classics for a reason. They are extremely well crafted pieces focusing on a creepy tone rather than jump scares. They created characters that were both frightening and vulnerable. They are really interesting films, and I do not know if we will be able to get back to that, given the way horror has been trending the last couple of decades.
Universal wants to keep their properties viable, though. So, with the surprising box office success of Dracula Untold, Universal is going back to all of their classic characters, including the Wolf Man. Even though they already tried this just a couple of years ago with Benicio Del Toro, they might as well try it again. Deadline reports the studio is reaching out to screenwriter Aaron Guzikowski, who wrote last year’s pretty good film Prisoners, to pen the screenplay for the updated take on the lycanthrope.
I like they are looking at someone who wrote a real dark thriller for this position. Prisoners had a distinct voice and was not some studio schlock churned out for mass consumption. Guzikowski was also partially responsible for the script for Contraband, which was dreadful, so I hope he is not just a one hit wonder.
2010’s The Wolfman was such a letdown to people like me who enjoy those original films. If Universal screws it up again, it will crush a lot of our hearts. Let’s hope they don’t!
Original report from Deadline.
