Acclaimed director James Wan is in early discussions to helm a remake of the 1954 horror classic “Creature from the Black Lagoon.” Universal Pictures is looking to bring back one of its most iconic monsters with a modern retelling. Wan, known for successful horror franchises like “Saw” and “The Conjuring,” would bring experience in both scaring audiences and big box office hits.
The project has been in development on and off for decades. Most recently, Guillermo del Toro had been attached to direct a reboot that never came to be. Now, Universal is partnering with Wan’s company Atomic Monster and Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions. Sources told reporters the new film would deliver “visceral horror” while honoring the original.
The original black-and-white film told the story of scientists who discover an unusual creature while exploring the Amazon River. It mixed elements of horror and adventure that captivated 1950s viewers. Universal believes Wan can recreate that magic for today’s audiences. As the director of blockbusters like “Aquaman” and “Furious 7,” he has a proven track record in both genres.
Atomic Monster and Blumhouse also bring experience producing low-budget horror films that find mainstream success. Recent projects like “The Invisible Man” show this approach can work for Universal’s monster properties. However, previous efforts to launch a shared cinematic universe, called the Dark Universe, failed to take off after the poorly received 2017 film “The Mummy.”
This new “Creature from the Black Lagoon” project remains in early planning stages. Universal executives are overseeing the development process. The search is currently underway to find a screenwriter to pen the script. As details develop, fans will watch to see if Wan can terrify modern crowds while paying homage to a horror classic from cinema’s early days.
