The Invisible Man’s Original Direction Revitalizes Universal’s Movie Plans – The Nerd Stash

As the success of The Invisible Man continues to make waves, the redirected Dark Universe seems to have found a new purpose. After its first monsters, Dracula: Untold (2014) and The Mummy (2017), failed to impress audiences and critics, Universal was hard-pressed to prove that the ambitious project would be worth the effort and money. The Invisible Man is not directly linked to the Dark Universe, but, thanks to the movies inspired production, the publics interest in classic monsters are rekindled, and the prospects of Universals project are looking up as long as its upcoming movies follow the example of The Invisible Man and not The Mummy.

Instead of delivering a Hollywood caricature of a monster, the director and his team placed the character in a real-life, if extreme, scenario: domestic abuse. The cast and crew agree that what makes this movie so scary is this familiar struggle amplified by the threat being invisible, not to mention unbelievable. Everyone, including Elizabeth Mosss character and viewers, feel the tension in every scene as The Invisible Man gradually turns his exs life into a living hell. There are no cataclysmic sandstorms or evil mummies wrecking cities. No super CGI effects to overwhelm your senses. This production is low-key, clever, and wonderfully chilling. If the Dark Universe takes a page out of this Universal-Blumhouse book, the upcoming monsters should see the same success.

The Mummys director Alex Kurtzman had a big responsibility on his shoulders. He had to remake a beloved classic, which would also launch a new cinematic universe. The result was entertaining, and Sofia Boutellas monstrous Egyptian princess was intriguing, but the movie as a whole missed the mark on too many levels to salvage. Nevertheless, the presence of Russell Crowe as Henry Jekyll and Mister Hyde did add some flair to the plot, his character even more of a hallmark in the horror industry than the Mummy or the Invisible Man. Yet the latters movie enjoyed the smoother ride.

As a character, the Invisible Man has mostly appeared on cinema and TV screens, typically in his familiar wrappings, coat, and hat. Even in the few video games around, like a Game Factory Interactive hidden-objects title named after him and following the trail of the vanished scientist, he hasnt really evolved over the years until now. Dr. Jekyll and his alter ego, however, have reappeared again and again in various forms. Bruce Banner and the Hulk are even based on them. Their influence is more widespread as, for example, their presence enhances online slot gaming experiences through themed titles using gothic audiovisual features, with their good and evil personas taking center stage. Other video games like Cryo Interactives adventure Jekyll and Hyde, not to mention a range of movies and TV shows, exist because of their popularity.

In which case, Dr. Jekyll wasnt a bad choice as leader of Prodigium, the Dark Universes evil-hunting secret society. But, unfortunately, he was squeezed into a meaningless action-packed chaos about a completely different monster. And so his and Prodigiums prominent roles intended to connect all the Dark Universes movies were scrapped after The Mummy flopped. Instead, we can expect standalone movies like The Invisible Man that try to recreate the terror of cult classics in order to actually scare modern audiences, not just amuse them. Who knows? Maybe Jekyll and Hyde will get their well-deserved reboot in the end.

What we know about the production is mostly good news. Blumhouse is producing once again with a script by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay. Karyn Kusama of Jennifers Body (2009) and Destroyer (2018) will be in the directors seat,following the same original standalone strategy as The Invisible Man. Additionally, the retelling of the master vampires story will also take place in modern times. Universal studios certainly seem to have learned their lesson and steering clear of the antiquated blockbuster recipe. Smaller budgets, unique perspectives, and stories with depth are what people want and, hopefully, getting from now on. The Dark Universe may have come short on what Marvel and DC have accomplished, but this new direction may turn out better in terms of quality filmmaking.

Other Universal monster movies to look forward involves Frankenstein, the Invisible Woman, and Renfield, Draculas assistant. But the ultimate goal for the Dark Universe remains what is currently referred to as the Dark Army. Paul Feig has already signed on to direct and write the script for this cinematic compilation of monsters and characters from classic horror stories. We will have to wait and see the fate of the rest of the movies leading up to it, but staying focused on originality and strong storytelling should create a remarkable series, if not a truly epic climax.

Visual journalist/Graduating student, University of Missouri-Columbia. Lover of everything in the gaming industry and an avid fan of all films!

See the original post:
The Invisible Man's Original Direction Revitalizes Universal's Movie Plans - The Nerd Stash

Reviewed and Recommended by Erik Baquero