James Wan, best known for his work on DC’s Aquaman movies and prominent horror franchises like Saw and The Conjuring, is in early talks to helm a feature project for Universal, which is said to be a remake of the studio’s classic horror, Creature From the Black Lagoon. According to early media reports, Wan and his collaborators recently presented a pitch to remake the classic 1954 monster flick to Universal. Soon, a writer will join the project.
According to the official synopsis, the remake has been described as a “grounded modernized retelling that leans into visceral horror whilst paying respect to the original classic.”
Helmed by Jack Arnold, the original “Creature From the Black Lagoon” came out of Universal’s arsenal nearly 70 years ago, starring Julia Adams and Richard Carlson. The movie’s story revolves around a group of scientists who encounter a prehistoric monster in the Amazon. Many directors, including the Academy Award winner Guillermo del Toro, have attempted to remake the 1954 original black and white monster film, over the years.
This is not the first time Universal has bankrolled a modernized reboot of its classic horror properties. For instance, The Invisible Man (2020), led by Elisabeth Moss, turned out to be a massive surprise for both audiences and critics, who praised the remake’s horror elements, opening sequence, Moss’ electrifying performance, musical score, and story. It earned over $144 million against its $7 million budget. However, remakes such as Reinfeld ($65 million budget), starring Nicolas Cage and Nicholas Hoult, emerged as a massive critical and commercial misfire from Universal.
Apart from his helming duties, James Wan will also produce the “Creature From the Black Lagoon” remake. The movie’s cast has yet to be finalised. Stay tuned for more updates.
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