Universal Pictures has a long history of creating classic monster films. The studio has worked hard to bring back its famous monsters over the years.
However, after the movie The Mummy failed to do well with critics and audiences, Universal had to stop its plans for a monster movie universe.
They had big dreams for a shared universe featuring all their iconic monsters, but this plan fell through. Instead, the studio decided to take a new approach, allowing filmmakers more creative freedom.
In recent years, we have seen fresh takes on classic characters in films like The Invisible Man and Renfield.
These movies have been more successful and have shown that there is still a strong interest in these stories. This change in direction has made it possible for Universal to consider revisiting The Wolf Man.
The History of The Wolf Man
The Wolf Man is one of Universal’s most famous monster movies. The original film was released in 1941 and starred Lon Chaney Jr. as Larry Talbot, a man who becomes a werewolf after being bitten by one.
The film was groundbreaking for its time and is still remembered today for its eerie atmosphere and compelling storytelling. It set the stage for many werewolf films that followed.
In the original movie, Larry Talbot returns to Wales to make peace with his father. While there, he stabs a werewolf that is attacking a woman. After this encounter, Larry is bitten and turns into a werewolf himself.
What makes the character even more tragic is that he does not remember his actions when he changes back into a human. This duality—being both a man and a monster—resonates with many viewers and adds depth to the story.
New Plans for Wolf Man
The idea to reboot The Wolf Man was first announced in 2020, just after the success of The Invisible Man. This new interpretation is said to follow a man who is trying to protect his family from a werewolf.
This fresh take on the story indicates that Universal wants to keep some core elements while introducing new twists to make it appealing to modern audiences.
When Is the Release Date for Wolf Man?
After four years of anticipation, Universal has finally announced a release date for Wolf Man. The movie is set to hit theaters on January 17, 2025. This date places it on the same weekend as several other films, including Guy Ritchie’s In the Grey, David Ayer’s Levon’s Trade, and Steven Soderbergh’s Presence.
In the past, January was often seen as a “dumping ground” for movies that studios did not believe would succeed. However, this perception has changed over the last few years. Several films released in January, such as Bad Boys for Life, Kung Fu Panda 3, Split, and M3GAN, have done well both critically and at the box office.
Initially, Wolf Man was set to be released on October 25, 2024, but the date was pushed back. This delay might be seen as a sign that Universal wants to ensure the film receives the best possible chance for success.
Will Wolf Man Be in Theaters or Streaming?
Wolf Man will premiere exclusively in theaters this January. Fans of the genre can look forward to seeing it on the big screen. Additionally, there will be select showings in IMAX theaters, which should provide an exciting viewing experience for audiences.
As a Universal production, Wolf Man will eventually be available for streaming on Peacock. However, this will happen only after the exclusive theatrical and premium video-on-demand (PVOD) windows have ended.
Is There a Trailer for Wolf Man?
Universal Pictures released an official teaser trailer for Wolf Man on September 6. The teaser lasts only 70 seconds and takes inspiration from the original Alien trailer. It mostly consists of a montage of short clips from the film, gradually revealing the title over the footage.
Despite its short length, the teaser gives us a better sense of the movie’s plot. We see a family man who moves his family from the city to a remote house in Oregon. There, he becomes cursed and transforms into a werewolf. This change adds a layer of suspense and intrigue to the story.
On October 18, Universal revealed a full trailer for Wolf Man during the Blumhouse panel at the 2024 New York Comic Con. This new trailer offers a clearer look at the movie’s plot. We see a family get into a terrible car accident, leading to Blake, the father, getting scratched by a werewolf.
As the trailer progresses, we watch Blake become increasingly ill and transform into a monstrous being. This new version of himself possesses heightened senses and agility, turning him into a threat to his wife and daughter.
Who Stars In Wolf Man?
Three years after Ryan Gosling was initially set to star in the movie, it has now been confirmed that Christopher Abbott will take on the lead role. Abbott will portray a family man named Blake, who faces a mysterious creature and starts transforming into the titular monster.
Christopher Abbott is currently experiencing success with his latest film Poor Things, which features Emma Stone and is expected to be a contender in the upcoming awards season.
Abbott is also known for his work in the hit HBO show Girls, the Hulu series Catch-22, and the Apple TV+ drama The Crowded Room alongside Tom Holland. Additionally, he will star alongside Aaron Taylor-Johnson in the upcoming superhero movie Kraven the Hunter.
Julia Garner has joined the cast as Charlotte, Blake’s wife. Before moving to Oregon, Charlotte was a powerful businesswoman. Garner is best known for her three-time Emmy-winning role as Ruth Langmore on the Netflix series Ozark.
She also starred as con artist Anna Delvey in the popular Netflix limited series Inventing Anna. Garner has appeared in other notable films and series such as Maniac, The Americans, The Assistant, Waco, and The Royal Hotel.
Matilda Firth, who had a small role in the Disney sequel Disenchanted, will play Ginger, Blake and Charlotte’s loving daughter.
Additional cast members include Sam Jaeger (The Handmaid’s Tale), Ben Prendergast (The Sojourn Audio Drama), and Benedict Hardie (The Invisible Man) in undisclosed roles.
What Will Wolf Man Be About?
The official synopsis for Wolf Man, released by Universal Pictures, reads as follows:
“What if someone you loved became something else?”
This haunting question sets the stage for a thrilling story. The film comes from Blumhouse and features visionary writer-director Leigh Whannell, known for creating modern monster tales like The Invisible Man.
In this new version, Golden Globe nominee Christopher Abbott stars as Blake, a husband and father from San Francisco. He inherits a remote childhood home in rural Oregon after his father goes missing and is presumed dead. His marriage to Charlotte (played by Emmy winner Julia Garner) is struggling, so Blake persuades her to take a break from the city and visit the property with their young daughter, Ginger.
As the family approaches the farmhouse one dark night, they are attacked by an unseen creature. In a desperate move, they barricade themselves inside the home while the monster prowls around outside. As the night goes on, Blake begins to act strangely and transforms into something unrecognizable. This creates tension as Charlotte must decide whether the danger from within the house is worse than the threat outside.
Originally, when Ryan Gosling was set to star, the film’s plot followed an anchorman who gets infected by the werewolf curse. However, the story has since changed.
The 1941 version of The Wolf Man followed Larry Talbot’s journey, a man who returns to Wales to reconcile with his father. After stabbing a werewolf, he is bitten and cursed. This curse makes Larry transform into a wolf every night, not just on full moons. He does not remember his actions or know who he harms when he becomes human again.
Two years after the original film, Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man was released as a sequel. In this movie, Larry is brought back to life by grave robbers who dig him up and expose him to the full moon. To rid himself of the werewolf curse, Larry seeks the help of Dr. Frankenstein.
More recently, in 2010, The Wolfman starring Benicio Del Toro and Emily Blunt was released but failed to perform well at the box office. It shared a similar plot with the 1941 film. Due to its poor sales, Universal wanted to shy away from fully committing to the scheme of their monster characters.
Who Is Making Wolf Man?
Another change in the film’s production comes with the return of director Leigh Whannell. He was originally set to direct but was temporarily replaced by Derek Cianfrance, who had previously worked with Gosling. This marks a significant return for Whannell, who directed the critically acclaimed The Invisible Man.
Whannell’s success with The Invisible Man, which has themes similar to traditional Universal monster films, proves that audiences still love a good monster story. The 2020 film tells the story of Celia, played by Elisabeth Moss, as she deals with life after the death of her abusive ex.
She believes she is being haunted by an invisible presence, which no one else can see. This tension is similar to what we can expect from Wolf Man.
Along with directing, Whannell wrote the script with his wife, Corbett Tuck. A previous draft of the script was penned by Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo, who also worked on Dumb Money.
Jason Blum, the founder of Blumhouse Productions, will produce Wolf Man. This marks his second venture into the world of Universal monsters, following The Invisible Man. Blumhouse is well-known for its expertise in horror films, with hits like Get Out, The Black Phone, and Paranormal Activity. His involvement adds significant value to this reboot.
The executive producers for the film include Whannell, Ryan Gosling, Ken Kao (The Favourite), and Mel Turner.
When and Where Did Wolf Man Film?
Filming for Wolf Man began in March 2024, with Jason Blum announcing the start of production on social media platform X (formerly Twitter). Production primarily took place in Mangaroa, Upper Hutt, New Zealand. This location was chosen for its picturesque views, which can enhance the eerie atmosphere of the film.
Filming in New Zealand is notable for its stunning natural beauty, which can add a unique visual quality to the movie. The remote setting helps to emphasize the isolation that the characters feel as they face the dangers of the werewolf and their own family struggles.
The Future of Universal Monsters
The revival of Wolf Man is part of a larger trend at Universal to reimagine its classic monster properties. After the failed attempts to launch a monster cinematic universe, the studio is now focusing on creating individual films that can stand on their own.
This allows filmmakers to show the stories in fresh ways without the pressure of building a shared universe.
By allowing more creative freedom, Universal hopes to attract both new audiences and long-time fans of the classic monster movies.
The success of films like The Invisible Man and Renfield shows that there is a market for these reboots. They have managed to blend modern storytelling with the timeless themes that made the original films successful.
What Fans Can Expect from Wolf Man
Fans of horror and monster films can look forward to Wolf Man as a thrilling and emotional story. With a talented cast and an experienced director, the film aims to capture the essence of the original while adding new elements to engage contemporary audiences.
The emotional conflict within the family will likely be a central theme of the film. As Blake transforms into a werewolf, the dynamic between him and his family will create intense drama.
Viewers can expect suspenseful moments, along with horror elements that shows what it means to lose one’s humanity.
As the release date approaches, excitement will continue to build. Fans are eager to see how Universal revitalizes this classic monster tale and what new twists and turns the story will take.
Wolf Man represents Universal’s commitment to reimagining its iconic monsters for a new generation.
With a mix of fresh storytelling, a strong cast, and a talented director, the film has the potential to be a hit. As it heads towards its January 2025 release, fans are looking forward to experiencing this modern take on a classic monster story.
