Creature from the Black Lagoon Reboot Could Potentially See James Wan Dive Into Director's Chair
Going Deep: James Wan's Revamp of the Iconic "Creature from the Black Lagoon"
Horror maestro James Wan, famous for masterpieces like "Saw," "The Conjuring," and "Insidious," is negotiating to helm a remake of the 1954 classic, "Creature from the Black Lagoon," for Universal Pictures. Sean Tretta is writing the screenplay, based on a treatment devised by Wan, Rafael Jordan, and Bryan Coyne.
A Brief Look Back
The original "Creature from the Black Lagoon," directed by Jack Arnold, was a revolutionary film featuring 3D effects and authentic creature costumes. It left a lasting impact on horror movies but hasn't undergone a significant remake since its debut in the 50s. The closest tribute was in "The Monster Squad" (1987), which included an unofficial interpretation of the Creature.
The Remake's Promise
This remake is marketed as a "grounded modernized retelling" that delves into gory horror while preserving the original's essence. It seems to follow the original formula, featuring a team of researchers stumbling upon an ancient aquatic humanoid in the Amazon River. Detailed plot points, however, remain under wraps.
Comparing with Other Universal Monsters Revivals
- The Universal Monsters Renaissance: Universal is rejuvenating its iconic monsters, including Dracula, Frankenstein's Monster, the Mummy, the Wolf Man, and the Invisible Man. Wan's "Creature from the Black Lagoon" adds to the roster of high-profile projects like Guillermo del Toro's "Frankenstein" and Robert Eggers' "Nosferatu".
- The Balancing Act: Unlike reinterpretations of other Universal monsters, which have seen numerous iterations, "Creature from the Black Lagoon" enjoys a certain freshness. The challenge lies in marrying modern visuals with the raw horror of the original. This might be achieved through a blend of practical effects and CGI, like in "The Shape of Water".
- Horror's Current Trends: Like most remakes, Wan's version will probably embody contemporary horror trends while maintaining the core of the original story. This may involve incorporating gruesome horror elements and potentially touching on social or environmental themes that resonate with modern audiences.
As you dig deeper into the depths of this venture, keep an eye out for updates on "Marvel," "Star Wars," "Star Trek," the future of the "DC Universe" on film and TV, and all things related to "Doctor Who".
- James Wan, renowned for his work on movies like "Saw" and "Insidious," is in negotiations to modernize the iconic 1954 film, "Creature from the Black Lagoon," as a remake for Universal Pictures.
- The remake of "Creature from the Black Lagoon" promises to be a gritty retelling that combines the essence of the original with gory horror elements, much like the recent "The Shape of Water."
- Although Universal is reviving many of their iconic monsters, such as Dracula and Frankenstein's Monster, "Creature from the Black Lagoon" offers a unique challenge because of its relatively untouched status since its debut in the 1950s.
- As the "Marvel," "Star Wars," "Star Trek," and "DC Universe" projects continue to evolve, keep an eye out for updates on io9 about the future direction of these franchises, as well as news on the modernized retelling of "Creature from the Black Lagoon" and the world of "Doctor Who."
