It’s been a while since we’d heard anything about Universal Pictures’ efforts to reboot their classic monster franchises. 2017’s The Mummy starring Tom Cruise was supposed to set the foundation of a cinematic universe that the classic monsters would share, but after dismal reviews the company has started re-assessing its approach to its classic monsters reboots. In an exclusive story in Variety, it was revealed today that The Invisible Man will be directed by Leigh Whannell and produced by Jason Blum under the Blumhouse banner.
“The move is part of a fresh strategy for Universal’s monsters properties, bringing creative directors with distinctive visions to the classic characters,” shared Variety Film Reporter Justin Kroll in the exclusive.
This isn’t the first time Whannell and Blum have teamed up. Whannell has worked on previous Blumhouse films including the Insidious franchise and most recently as the Director of the 2018 sci-fi thriller Upgrade.
The shift in direction also removes Johnny Depp from the equation. The actor had previously been attached to the project, but sources say he will no longer appear in the film.
While this is the first announcement regarding the monster films and their new direction, this is by no means the only monster movie in the works. According to the article, Universal is in the process of tapping other talent to helm their monster films now that they have decided not to make a connected cinematic universe.
