I really like numerous the greatest horror films, and I really feel like we’re in a real renaissance in relation to the style. Living proof, Leigh Whannell, who directed one of the crucial attention-grabbing horror films up to now few years together with his remake of The Invisible Man, which we gave a stellar overview.
His subsequent film is the upcoming Wolf Man, and in a current interview with Empire (through Syfy), Whannell disclosed which Common Horror icon he want to cowl subsequent if he received the prospect. I will not spoil his reply right here, however I’ll go over different doable Common Horror icons I’d love for him to deal with subsequent if he did not get the chance to do his dream gig.
The Hunchback Of Notre Dame (1923)
In my current article the place I mentioned my love for the 2010 The Wolfman film, I brazenly confessed that I had by no means watched the unique, 1933 The Invisible Man with Claude Rains. That mentioned, I have seen the 2020 remake by Leigh Whannell.
One factor I really like about that film is that it takes the fundamental premise (a person finds a method to flip himself invisible, after which torments individuals – I learn the novel, you see) and modernizes it. It appears like he’s doing the identical factor with the upcoming Wolf Man (even including in a contact of physique horror for good measure).
Properly, since modernizing horror classics appears to be Whannell’s jam, I’d like to see his tackle The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which feels prefer it needs to be rooted in its fifteenth century time interval, however I’d like to see if Whannell might set it in a modern-day setting.
The story of a hunchback who aids a lady who’s being romantically pursued by the nefarious brother of the archdeacon, a model was produced throughout Disney’s renaissance interval, and it was fairly darkish for a G-rated film. So, I might solely think about what it will be like in Whannell’s fingers.
I might think about a Quasimodo-like determine being tortured, Noticed-style, just for mentioned determine to show the tables on his captor. I don’t know. I simply suppose it will be cool to get a modernized tackle this traditional story, and imagine Whannell could be the right man for the job.
The Phantom Of The Opera (1925)
Talking of The Invisible Man, one factor I beloved about Whannell’s method was that he dealt with the topic of an abusive relationship, and wrapped it up within the narrative of a horror story.
I don’t need to see him retread acquainted territory, however I’d like to see how he might sort out The Phantom of the Opera, which is in regards to the final possessive relationship.
Besides, in contrast to Whannell’s Invisible Man, the place the protagonist’s boyfriend was as poisonous as humanly probably, the Phantom is an instance of poisonous reciprocity, by which the Phantom thinks he deserves the love of a younger singer simply because he’s been working to advertise her profession (by killing individuals). Not solely that, however the younger singer’s boyfriend tries to rescue her, and the Phantom traps him in a room and tries to kill him.
Are you able to see the place I’m going with this? I’d like to see a contemporary take the place the singer will get captured, however fights again, similar to Elisabeth Moss’s character in The Invisible Man. Not solely that, however I might see the Phantom, who is usually romanticized as a mysterious determine, being extra of an incel creep on this model.
Not solely that, however since Whannell helped create the Noticed franchise, I might see the room the place the Phantom tries to kill the singer’s boyfriend being actually tousled, similar to in Noticed. Come on, Whannell. Please make THIS film subsequent. It’s begging to be made!
Frankenstein (1931)
I’m fairly certain that individuals who by no means even learn the well-known Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein; or, The Trendy Prometheus are actually completely conscious that Frankenstein is the identify of the physician and not the well-known monster.
However, how attention-grabbing would it not be if we received a Frankenstien film and by no means even received the monster, however as a substitute, discovered that the physician himself was the monster by the best way he deliberately killed individuals simply so he might use their our bodies for science?
Okay, possibly I’m getting somewhat forward of myself right here. For individuals who don’t know, Frankenstein is the story of a physician who exhumes graves and cobbles collectively physique elements to create a human being.
The creature escapes his confines, although, and by chance hurts some individuals at first, earlier than deliberately hurting another individuals later. Residents revolt and go after the creature. Basic stuff.
It’s been reinterpreted fairly a bit, such because the current Lisa Frankenstein, which a few of our employees had very robust emotions about. I’d love a contemporary tackle the story, and it might ditch the Frankenstein title altogether, and simply stick to The Trendy Prometheus. I believe if individuals weren’t anticipating “the monster,” to indicate up, then an identical, however vastly totally different story might be advised. Plus, Whannell is much more inventive than I’m, so I’m certain he might give you a much better thought for a brand new Frankenstein film than I simply got here up with.
The Mummy (1932)
Now, The Mummy is attention-grabbing. The 2017 Tom Cruise model is infamously seen as each the beginning and the top of Common’s proposed Darkish Universe.
Not solely that, however Whannell’s The Invisible Man is considerably seen because the spark that reignited the Common Monsters, with Wolf Man being one other step towards bringing these characters again to the large display (I for one, additionally loved The Final Voyage of the Demeter, which our very personal Mike Reyes thinks might have saved the Darkish Universe if it had changed The Mummy at the beginning).
However anyway, if anyone might convey again The Mummy, I’m fairly certain Whannell might. As a result of truthfully, I believe lots of people nonetheless have the action-packed Brendan Fraser films of their heads once they consider The Mummy, and the Tom Cruise film didn’t assist, because it was additionally an motion flick.
Nevertheless, how about we return to the horror roots? The 1932 film is basically a love story, as a mummy is introduced again to life, and he tries to convey again his love, and finally ends up killing individuals alongside the best way. The trendy variations have spun these off into journey territories, however I need a good previous style spooky model, with Whannell on the helm.
Make it gross, make it spooky, make it nevertheless you need. Simply please make it, Mr. Whannell!
The Invisible Girl (1940)
Lastly, how nice would it not be if Whannell bookended his Common Horror contributions with The Invisible Girl? Now, the unique film is extra like a comedic romance movie than a horror film, however I’d actually like to see him method the subject material.
Within the authentic movie, a lady will get fired from her job, and as soon as invisible, goes again to show her former boss a lesson (amongst different occasions). However, what if she kills him accidentally? And, I don’t know, what if she favored killing him?
I really like the thought of a lady on the unfastened who’s killing individuals…simply because. I don’t want her to get again at males who wronged her. I’d similar to to see a feminine serial killer film, however she’s invisible.
I believe this might be an attention-grabbing counterpoint to his first Common Monster film. Once more, Whannell is much more ingenious than me, so I’m certain he might give you a extra attention-grabbing thought, however how nice would it not be if he turned this foolish film into one thing haunting and unforgettable, similar to The Invisible Man?
For extra information on different upcoming Blumhouse horror films, you’ll want to swing by right here typically!