James Wan is undoubtedly the most influential figure in contemporary horror cinema. Since gaining worldwide acclaim for the chilling “Saw” in 2004, he has become an icon of the genre, with 14 directorial credits and 60 producing credits to his name.
“The Conjuring,” “Insidious,” and “Malignant” are just a few of the notable films he has directed. Additionally, his alliance with Jason Blum and Blumhouse has resulted in several box office successes, including “Night Swim” and “M3GAN”.
Fans eagerly anticipate his return to the horror director chair, which he has not touched since 2021. According to Deadline, “The Call of Cthulhu” will not be his only upcoming project of this kind, as he is also in the final stages of discussions to bring another beloved monster to life: Gill-Man from “Creature From the Black Lagoon”.
All the details on the remake of ‘Creature From the Black Lagoon’
According to The Hollywood Reporter, James Wan has recently pitched a project to Universal to bring the iconic 1954 monster classic “Creature From the Black Lagoon” back to the big screen. The studio has responded positively and is now in the process of hiring a writer to collaborate with the “Insidious” creator.
Julie Adams and Ben Chapman in “Creature from the Black Lagoon”. (Source: IMDb)
This production is significant for both Wan and Universal. For Wan, it will be his first directorial work since joining forces with Blumhouse. For Universal, it represents a chance to revive their classic black-and-white monsters, a goal that has eluded them since the unsuccessful “Dark Universe” initiative.
Wan’s approach to the source material is expected to offer a more visceral take on the monster, potentially featuring some of the graphic elements seen in his first “Saw” installment. However, he has emphasized the importance of respecting the original film.
The plot is likely to remain faithful to the classic: a scientific expedition uncovers fossilized evidence from the Devonian period, revealing a direct link between land and sea animals. This leads to the discovery of a piscine amphibious humanoid in the Amazon, driven purely by instinct.
As for the release date, it may be a while before we see this remake, especially if Wan directs it. While he has one upcoming horror project to craft behind the camera, the aforementioned “The Call of Cthulhu,” he also has twenty-six projects in production, with eight slated for release in 2025. Given his busy schedule, it’s likely that this new movie will take some time to materialize, and we can expect it for 2026.
