Wolf Man (2025 film)

Last updated

Wolf Man
Wolf Man 2025 poster.jpg
Teaser poster
Directed by Leigh Whannell
Written by
  • Leigh Whannell
  • Corbett Tuck
Based on The Wolf Man
by Curt Siodmak
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyStefan Duscio
Edited byAndy Canny
Production
companies
Distributed byUniversal Pictures
Release date
  • January 17, 2025 (2025-01-17)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Wolf Man is an upcoming American horror film directed and co-written by Leigh Whannell. A reboot of The Wolf Man (1941), it stars Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner. Jason Blum and Ryan Gosling serve as producers, the former through his Blumhouse Productions banner.

Contents

The film was announced in 2014 and was to be part of a shared cinematic universe centered on the Universal Monsters; Aaron Guzikowski and David Callaham were attached to pen the script. After the failure of The Mummy (2017), Universal shifted its focus to standalone films. The success of Whannell's The Invisible Man (2020) rekindled Universal's interest in the Monsters franchise. They accepted a pitch by Gosling, who was also set to star, for a new Wolf Man film with Derek Cianfrance to direct. However, Gosling dropped out of the role and Cianfrance left the project in 2023, while Whannell took over as director. Filming took place in New Zealand in early 2024.

Wolf Man is set to be released by Universal Pictures on January 17, 2025.

Premise

Family man Blake relocates from San Francisco to Oregon with his workaholic wife Charlotte and daughter Ginger after inheriting his childhood home, left vacant following his estranged father's mysterious disappearance and presumed death. At the farmhouse at night during a full moon, the family is attacked by a werewolf that claws Blake's arm. They barricade themselves inside the home, but soon Blake begins to transform into something horrifying, jeopardizing the safety of his wife and daughter.

Cast

Production

In July 2014, Universal Pictures announced its plan for a shared cinematic franchise, later dubbed Dark Universe, centered on their Universal Monsters library — which was to include The Wolf Man . [2] [3] In November 2014, Aaron Guzikowski was confirmed to be writing the reboot of Universal's The Wolf Man. [4] [5] In June 2016, Deadline Hollywood reported on rumors that Dwayne Johnson was considered for the titular role. [6] In October, David Callaham was hired to rewrite the script. [7] In 2017, The Mummy was released as the first film in the Dark Universe; its launch was both a critical and commercial failure and resulted in Universal deciding to shift its focus on individual storytelling and move away from the shared universe concept with the cancelation of The Wolf Man and other films in development. [8]

The success of Whannell's previous monster film inspired Universal to make Wolf Man. Leigh Whannell.jpg
The success of Whannell's previous monster film inspired Universal to make Wolf Man.

Reporter Justin Kroll said the critical and commercial success of Leigh Whannell's The Invisible Man for Universal "scrap[ped] the universe concept" and loosened restrictions for the talent in front and behind the camera, allowing them to decide how they wanted to execute their films in terms of budget and MPAA rating and invite "big name talent" to pitch their ideas. [9] By early 2020, Universal had been hearing project ideas for a year and a half from filmmakers seeking to develop other characters in the franchise. These meetings included Ryan Gosling's pitch to remake The Wolf Man and star in it, with Lauren Schuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo writing a screenplay described as tonally similar to Nightcrawler (2014). [9] Around this time, make-up artist Mike Marino molded an early version of the werewolf. [10] Several filmmakers were considered to direct, including Cory Finley, whose film Thoroughbreds (2017) was reportedly well liked by Universal, and Whannell, who was advised by Jason Blum of Blumhouse Productions (producer of several of his projects, including The Invisible Man) to reconsider after initially declining. [9] [11] (In February 2020, Whanell had mentioned his interest in making a werewolf film during a press interview for The Invisible Man.) [12] Whannell entered negotiations to write a film treatment and direct. [11]

After Whannell left the project due to scheduling conflicts, Derek Cianfrance entered negotiations to write and direct in October 2021, having directed Gosling in Blue Valentine (2010) and The Place Beyond the Pines (2012). [13] The film was officially green lit around the conclusion of the 2023 Hollywood strikes. [14] In December, Cianfrance and Gosling were reported to have exited the project due to scheduling conflicts, with Whannell returning to take over directing in addition to writing the screenplay with his wife, Corbett Tuck, while Cianfrance received off-screen additional literary material credit. [15] [16] [17] Gosling, who retained a producer credit, was replaced by Christopher Abbott in the lead role. [15] During pre-production, Whannell hosted weekly film screenings for his crew, with selections such as Amour (2012); he noted that the film's first draft was written in 2020, pulling from the feeling of confinement and isolation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic to touch on the inevitability of illness and death, and making the drama "intimate" by setting it primarily in one location. [10] [18] In 2024, Julia Garner, Sam Jaeger, and Matilda Firth joined the cast. [19] [20] [21] Principal photography began in New Zealand on March 17, 2024, with cinematographer Stefan Duscio. [22] Arjen Tuiten was the film's prosthetics designer and makeup artist. [18] Whannell compiled a list of werewolf designs, such as those portrayed by Lon Chaney in the original The Wolf Man (1941) and David Naughton in An American Werewolf in London (1981), along with those included in The Howling (1981) and Dog Soldiers (2002), before settling on one; he was inspired by Heath Ledger's take on Joker in forming an original design for an established character. Whannell went with Tuiten's first design of the werewolf, which Tuiten first showed him by making a life-sized model. [23]

Marketing

In August 2024, during Universal's Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando, a booth revealed the film's logo and teaser image, and on September 4, an actor took the stage for a photo-op performing as the film's werewolf. The werewolf design—a creature with a "balding head", "long white hair on the back of his head and as facial hair", "long, bony fingers", and "sharp teeth"—drew divisive reactions from online users and journalists. [a] On September 6, Universal released a teaser trailer, poster, and synopsis. [29] Hannah Shaw-Williams of /Film suggested that the timing of the teaser's release was "damage control" over the poorly-received werewolf design, noting the absence of the titular creature in the teaser. [30] Whannell described the design reveal as a "debacle", as Universal did it without discussing it with him or contacting the film's make-up artist, Arjen Tuiten; he unsuccessfully tried stopping it by calling Jason Blum and later retorted that it was "like judging the Freddy Krueger makeup by a costume at Spirit Halloween." [14]

Release

Wolf Man is scheduled to be released in the United States on January 17, 2025. [31] It was previously scheduled to be released on October 25, 2024. [15]

Notes

  1. Attributed to multiple sources. [24] [25] [26] [27] [28]

Related Research Articles

<i>The Wolf Man</i> (1941 film) American horror film

The Wolf Man is a 1941 American gothic horror film written by Curt Siodmak and produced and directed by George Waggner. The film stars Lon Chaney Jr. in the title role. Claude Rains, Warren William, Ralph Bellamy, Patric Knowles, Bela Lugosi, Evelyn Ankers, and Maria Ouspenskaya star in supporting roles. The title character has had a great deal of influence on Hollywood's depictions of the legend of the werewolf. The film is the second Universal Pictures werewolf film, preceded six years earlier by the less commercially successful Werewolf of London (1935). This film is one of the Universal Monsters movies, and garnered great acclaim for its production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leigh Whannell</span> Australian screenwriter, actor, producer, and director

Leigh Whannell is an Australian filmmaker and actor. He is best known for writing films directed by his friend James Wan, including Saw (2004), Dead Silence (2007), Insidious (2010), and Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013). Whannell made his directorial debut with Insidious: Chapter 3 (2015), and has since directed two more films, Upgrade (2018) and The Invisible Man (2020).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">James Wan</span> Australian filmmaker (born 1977)

James Wan is an Australian filmmaker. He has primarily worked in the horror genre as the co-creator of the Saw and Insidious franchises and the creator of The Conjuring Universe. The lattermost is the highest-grossing horror franchise at over $2 billion. Wan is also the founder of film and television production company Atomic Monster.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Universal Monsters</span> Horror and science fiction franchise made by Universal Studios (1910s–1950s)

The Universal Monsters media franchise includes characters based on a series of horror films produced by Universal Pictures and released between 1913–1956.

<i>The Wolfman</i> (film) 2010 film by Joe Johnston

The Wolfman is a 2010 American gothic horror film directed by Joe Johnston, from a screenplay by Andrew Kevin Walker and David Self. A remake of the 1941 film of the same name, it stars Benicio del Toro, Anthony Hopkins, Emily Blunt and Hugo Weaving. The film’s story follows an actor based in America who, after his brother's brutal murder, returns to his ancestral homeland in England, where he gets bitten by a werewolf and is cursed to become one.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Larry Talbot</span> Universal Monsters franchise character

Lawrence StewartTalbot, also known as the Wolf Man, is a title character of the 1941 Universal film The Wolf Man and its sequels, created by Curt Siodmak. He was portrayed by Lon Chaney Jr. In the 2010 remake of the film, he is portrayed by Benicio del Toro. The Wolf Man was part of the Universal Monsters ensemble.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Derek Cianfrance</span> American film director and screenwriter (born 1974)

Derek M. Cianfrance is an American film director, cinematographer, screenwriter, and editor. He is best known for writing and directing the films Blue Valentine,The Place Beyond the Pines and The Light Between Oceans as well as the HBO miniseries I Know This Much Is True. For his contributions to the story of Sound of Metal, he received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay with its director Darius Marder and Abraham Marder.

<i>Insidious: Chapter 2</i> 2013 horror film by James Wan

Insidious: Chapter 2 is a 2013 American supernatural horror film directed by James Wan. It is the sequel to Insidious (2010), and the second installment in the Insidious franchise, and the fourth in terms of the series's in-story chronology. The film stars Patrick Wilson and Rose Byrne, reprising their roles as Josh and Renai Lambert, a husband and wife who seek to uncover the secret that has left them dangerously connected to the spirit world. The film was released September 13, 2013.

Blumhouse Productions, LLC, doing business as Blumhouse, is an American independent film and television production company founded in 2000 by Jason Blum and Amy Israel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Blum</span> American film producer

Jason Ferus Blum is an American producer. He is founder and CEO of Blumhouse Productions, which has produced the horror franchises Paranormal Activity (2007–2021), Insidious (2010–2023), The Purge (2013–2021), and Halloween (2018–2022). Blum has also produced Sinister (2012), Oculus (2013), Whiplash (2014), The Gallows (2015), The Gift (2015), Hush (2016), Split (2016), Ouija: Origin of Evil (2016), Get Out (2017), Happy Death Day (2017), Upgrade (2018), Us (2019), The Invisible Man (2020), Freaky (2020), The Black Phone (2021), M3GAN (2022), Five Nights at Freddy's (2023), and Speak No Evil (2024).

<i>Insidious</i> (film series) Horror film franchise

Insidious is an American horror franchise created by Leigh Whannell and James Wan that has been produced by Blumhouse in association with Sony’s Stage 6 Films since 2010. The films in the franchise include Insidious (2010), Chapter 2 (2013), Chapter 3 (2015), The Last Key (2018), and The Red Door (2023). The films have grossed over $731 million worldwide on a combined budget of $42.5 million.

<i>Upgrade</i> (film) 2018 film by Leigh Whannell

Upgrade is a 2018 cyberpunk action film written and directed by Leigh Whannell, and starring Logan Marshall-Green, Betty Gabriel, and Harrison Gilbertson. Upgrade follows a technophobe who is implanted with a chip that allows him to control his body after a mugging left him paralyzed. The film was produced by Jason Blum, under his Blumhouse Productions banner.

<i>Frankenstein</i> (Universal film series) American horror film series

Frankenstein is a film series of horror films from Universal Pictures based on the play version by Peggy Webling and the 1818 novel Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary Shelley. The series follow the story of a monster created by Henry Frankenstein who is made from body parts of corpses and brought back to life. The rest of the series generally follows the monster continuously being revived and eventually focuses on a series of cross overs with other Universal horror film characters such as The Wolf Man. The series consists of the following films: Frankenstein (1931), Bride of Frankenstein (1935), Son of Frankenstein (1939), The Ghost of Frankenstein (1942), Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man (1943), House of Frankenstein (1944), House of Dracula (1945) and Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein (1948).

<i>The Invisible Man</i> (film series) American film series

The Invisible Man is a film series by Universal Pictures. The series consists of The Invisible Man (1933), The Invisible Man Returns (1940), The Invisible Woman (1940), Invisible Agent (1942), The Invisible Man's Revenge (1944) and Abbott and Costello Meet the Invisible Man (1951). The film series borrows elements from H. G. Wells's novel The Invisible Man, but it focuses primarily on the idea of a serum that causes someone to go invisible and its side-effects.

The Wolf Man is the title of several horror film series centered on Larry Talbot, a man who upon being bitten by a werewolf becomes one himself, and his subsequent attempts to cure himself of his murderous condition. The franchise was created by Curt Siodmak.

<i>The Invisible Man</i> (2020 film) 2020 film by Leigh Whannell

The Invisible Man is a 2020 science fiction horror film written and directed by Leigh Whannell. Loosely based on H. G. Wells's 1897 novel, it is a reboot of the 1933 film of the same name. It stars Elisabeth Moss as a woman who believes she is being stalked and gaslit by her ex-boyfriend after he acquires the ability to become invisible. Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer, and Michael Dorman appear in supporting roles.

<i>Insidious: The Red Door</i> 2023 film by Patrick Wilson

Insidious: The Red Door is a 2023 American supernatural horror film directed by Patrick Wilson from a screenplay by Scott Teems based on a story by Leigh Whannell and Teems. Produced by Blumhouse and Screen Gems in association with Stage 6, it is a direct sequel to Insidious: Chapter 2 (2013), and the fifth installment in the Insidious franchise. Original director James Wan serves as a producer, as does Jason Blum through his Blumhouse Productions banner. Wilson, Ty Simpkins, Rose Byrne, Andrew Astor, Steve Coulter, Joseph Bishara, Whannell, Angus Sampson, and Lin Shaye reprise their roles from previous films. Sinclair Daniel and Hiam Abbass join the cast.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 "Wolf Man (2025)". Moviefone . Retrieved October 30, 2024.
  2. Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 16, 2014). "Universal Taps Alex Kurtzman, Chris Morgan To Relaunch Classic Movie Monster Franchises". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  3. Walkuski, Eric (May 22, 2017). "Universal reveals Dark Universe logo with Danny Elfman theme music". JoBlo.com . Archived from the original on October 4, 2024. Retrieved October 4, 2024.
  4. Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 12, 2014). "Will Justin Lin Rev Fast & Furious Finale?". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  5. Fleming, Mike Jr. (November 12, 2014). "Sony Confirms Dark Matter; Universal Confirms Aaron Guzikowski To Write Wolfman". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  6. Fleming, Mike Jr. (June 22, 2016). "Dwayne Johnson Sets Jay Longino Graphic Novel Son Of Shaolin At Sony". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  7. Ford, Rebecca (October 13, 2016). "Universal Taps The Expendables Writer to Pen The Wolf Man (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  8. Kit, Borys; Couch, Aaron (November 8, 2017). "Universal's Monsterverse in Peril as Top Producers Exit (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on October 28, 2021. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  9. 1 2 3 Kroll, Justin (May 29, 2020). "Ryan Gosling's Wolfman Gears Up at Universal as Director Decision Nears (Exclusive)". Variety . Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  10. 1 2 Romano, Nick (October 17, 2024). "Wolf Man is gnarlier than you might think: 'This one is pretty hardcore' (exclusive)". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  11. 1 2 Fleming, Mike Jr. (July 8, 2020). "Ryan Gosling's Wolfman Howling At Universal As Director Leigh Whannell & Blumhouse Join The Pack". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  12. O'Connor, Anthony (February 22, 2020). "Leigh Whannell: The Invisible Man interview". FilmInk . Retrieved July 20, 2024. Event occurs at 8:05.
  13. Kroll, Justin (October 26, 2021). "Ryan Gosling And Universal's Wolfman Sets Derek Cianfrance As Director". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 26, 2021. Retrieved October 27, 2021.
  14. 1 2 Smith, Tessa (October 24, 2024). "NYCC 2024: Wolf Man Director Leigh Whannell Reveals Key Details About Blumhouse's New Horror Remake". Screen Rant . Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  15. 1 2 3 Kit, Borys (December 13, 2023). "Christopher Abbott Replacing Ryan Gosling to Star in Wolf Man for Blumhouse, Universal (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  16. "Wolf Man - WGA Directory". Writers Guild of America West . September 26, 2024. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  17. Reyes, Mike (October 21, 2024). "Leigh Whannell's Wolf Man Deviated From The Original Ryan Gosling Pitch, And The Writer/Director Told Me Why". CinemaBlend . Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  18. 1 2 Lussier, Germain (October 18, 2024). "Wolf Man Is Not Set in the Same Universe as Invisible Man, but Leigh Whannell Does See a Connection". Gizmodo . Retrieved October 18, 2024.
  19. D'Alessandro, Anthony (January 5, 2024). "Julia Garner To Star In Blumhouse & Universal's Wolf Man". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved January 5, 2024.
  20. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 27, 2024). "Blumhouse's Wolf Man Adds The Handmaid's Tale's Sam Jaeger". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 27, 2024.
  21. D'Alessandro, Anthony (April 18, 2024). "Blumhouse & Universal's Wolf Man Adds Matilda Firth". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  22. Jason Blum [@jason_blum] (March 17, 2024). "Day one on the set of Wolf Man. Director Leigh Whannell pictured here. LFG!!! 📸: Nicola Dove/Universal Pictures and @blumhouse" (Tweet). Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024 via Twitter.
  23. Shayo, Lukas (October 20, 2024). "How The Wolf Man's Design Will Be Different From Other Werewolves Teased By Reboot Director: 'Just Looked Perfect'". Screen Rant . Retrieved October 20, 2024.
  24. Hood, Cooper (September 7, 2024). "What Christopher Abbott's Wolf Man Looks Like". Screen Rant . Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 7, 2024.
  25. Dick, Jeremy (August 27, 2024). "Wolf Man Promo Poster Reveals Official Logo and First Look at Blumhouse Reboot". CBR. Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  26. Zwiezen, Zack (September 5, 2024). "Here's Our First Look At The New Wolf Man And Uh...Oh..." Kotaku . Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  27. Fink, Richard (September 5, 2024). "First Look at Universal's Wolf Man Reboot Teases Divisive New Look". MSN. Archived from the original on September 7, 2024. Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  28. Mathai, Jeremy (September 5, 2024). "Halloween Horror Nights Has Revealed Universal's New Wolf Man, And Fans Are Not Over The Moon". /Film . Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  29. Ramos Bechara, Diego (September 6, 2024). "Wolf Man Trailer: Christopher Abbott Transforms in Bloody Horror Remake". Variety . Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  30. Shaw-Williams, Hannah (September 6, 2024). "Universal Hides Its Controversial Monster In Leigh Whannell's Creepy Wolf Man Trailer". /Film . Retrieved September 6, 2024.
  31. D'Alessandro, Anthony (March 29, 2024). "Blumhouse's Wolf Man Runs From Fall To MLK Weekend 2025; The Woman In The Yard Unset For Now". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved March 29, 2024.