James Wan, known for his work on The Conjuring and Saw, is gearing up to remake the classic monster movie Creature From the Black Lagoon. He’s currently in early talks with Universal Pictures to direct the new version, which promises to be a modernized retelling that stays true to the original’s horror roots.
Revisiting a Classic
Creature From the Black Lagoon first hit theaters in 1954 and has since become a staple of Universal’s monster movie lineup. The original film, directed by Jack Arnold, follows a group of scientists who discover a prehistoric creature in the Amazon. Although several filmmakers, including Guillermo del Toro, have tried to reboot the film over the years, none have succeeded—until now.
James Wan’s take on the remake is expected to bring a more grounded, visceral horror experience while respecting the legacy of the original. Given Wan’s history with horror films, this new adaptation is likely to offer a fresh perspective while keeping fans of the original on board.
Universal’s Monster Movie Strategy
Universal has had a mixed track record with its recent monster movie projects. The studio initially planned to launch a shared “Dark Universe” with interconnected films, but that strategy faltered after the underwhelming performance of Tom Cruise’s The Mummy in 2017. Since then, Universal has shifted focus to standalone films.
The Invisible Man (2020) was a standout success, earning $143 million worldwide on a $7 million budget. However, Renfield (2023), which featured Nicholas Hoult as Dracula’s henchman, didn’t perform as well, making only $26 million globally. With Creature From the Black Lagoon, Universal is hoping James Wan can replicate the success of The Invisible Man and revitalize interest in their classic monsters.
What to Expect
James Wan’s involvement in the Creature From the Black Lagoon remake is a promising sign for fans of the genre. His experience in both horror and big-budget films suggests that this project could bring new life to a classic story while delivering the scares audiences expect. The film will be produced by Wan’s company, Atomic Monster, with Michael Clear and Judson Scott serving as executive producers.
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