Summary:
- Horror master James Wan is taking on a new challenge by developing a modern remake of the classic 1954 monster movie Creature From the Black Lagoon.
- The project, currently in early stages at Universal Pictures, promises a grounded and terrifying retelling of the iconic tale.
James Wan, the director behind some of the biggest horror franchises in recent history, is gearing up to bring a fresh take on a beloved monster classic. Wan is currently developing a remake of Creature From the Black Lagoon and is in early discussions to direct the film for Universal Pictures.
The upcoming remake is described as a “grounded modernized retelling that leans into visceral horror whilst paying respect to the original classic.” It’s been 70 years since the original Creature From the Black Lagoon terrified audiences, a 1954 black-and-white film directed by Jack Arnold and starring Richard Carlson and Julia Adams.
The story centered around a group of scientists who encounter a prehistoric creature in the Amazonian waters, which has long been a staple in the monster movie genre. Over the years, several directors, including Guillermo del Toro, have attempted to reboot the film, but none have been successful in bringing it back to the big screen—until now.
This remake is part of Universal’s ongoing effort to breathe new life into its extensive catalog of classic monsters.
After the studio’s previous attempt to create an interconnected monster-verse, dubbed the Dark Universe, faltered with the disappointing box office performance of Tom Cruise’s The Mummy, Universal shifted its focus to standalone features.
The results have been mixed: while 2020’s The Invisible Man starring Elisabeth Moss was a critical and commercial success, grossing $143 million worldwide on a $7 million budget, the recent Renfield, featuring Nicholas Hoult as Dracula’s deranged henchman, flopped with just $26 million globally.
Currently, Universal is also working on a remake of Wolf Man starring Christopher Abbott.
Wan’s production company, Atomic Monster, will produce the new Creature From the Black Lagoon. Atomic Monster, which recently merged with Jason Blum’s Blumhouse, is known for producing horror hits like M3GAN, The Nun, and Annabelle.
Wan himself is the creative force behind successful franchises like The Conjuring and Saw, and he’s one of the few directors to have two films that grossed over $1 billion at the global box office, thanks to Furious 7 and Aquaman.
Atomic Monster’s Michael Clear and Judson Scott will serve as executive producers for the project, while Universal’s executive VP of production development Jay Polidoro will oversee it for the studio.
As the project is still in its early stages, details are limited, but fans of classic horror and James Wan’s signature style have plenty to be excited about. This remake of Creature From the Black Lagoon promises to bring a new level of terror to the iconic monster story while honoring the legacy of the original film.
