With the cinematic Dark Universe in the rearview mirror of Universal at this stage, the new films working to update Universal Monsters characters in the studio have become something horror fans are looking forward to – thanks to a new era of independent films that began with Leigh Whannell’s 2020 film. The Invisible Man. His next project in this area will arrive early next year, a reimagining of the classic werewolf story The Wolfman for 2025, with the teaser trailer just unveiled at New York Comic Con.
Christopher Abbott (The Sinner) plays the title character, who heads to the rural Oregon home where he grew up when he inherits it from his supposedly deceased father. In a desperate attempt to save his marriage, he convinces his wife (Julia Garner, Ozark, The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) to bring their young daughter (Matilda Firth) on a visit. Upon their arrival, according to the film’s official summary, the family is attacked by an invisible creature, and in a desperate escape, they fortify themselves inside the house as the creature roams around outside. As the night extends, Blake begins to act strangely, transforming into something unrecognizable, and Charlotte will have to make a decision about whether the horror inside their home is more dangerous than the threat outside.
It was not mentioned, but you can bet there was a full moon in the sky when it happened.
The most striking thing in the trailer is the isolation. This werewolf will not run around killing people. It seems like the film is more about Garner protecting her daughter from her changing father. Also, you’ll feel like the werewolf transformation is much slower and more methodical than what we’re used to. It could actually be a significant part of the film before we get to see the full werewolf. In short, this is a very specific and new-looking werewolf, and we’re very excited about it.
Oh, and did anyone else get major Jurassic Park vibes there at the beginning? Never drive a vehicle into a tree unless you have something special and Whannell might have that.
The rest of the cast includes Sam Jayger, Ben Brindergast, and Benedict Hardy. It is directed by Whannell and written by Whannell and Corbett Tuck and Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo. The Wolfman hits theaters on January 17th. You can come back later today for a short interview with Whannell about the teaser and the film.
Additional reporting by German Lucifer
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