Horror maven James Wan is officially joining Universal’s classic monster lineup after his work on M3GAN and Night Swim.
As reported by Deadline, the filmmaker known for Insidious and The Conjuring will produce an untitled creature feature for the studio under his Atomic Monster banner. Leah McKendrick (Scrambled) is set to write and direct the project, which will focus on a mythological being. Michael Clear and Judson Scott will be executive producers.
“I’ve been a Universal Monster fan since my childhood visits to Universal Studios, and Horror Nights is my favorite night of the year,” McKendrick shared on Instagram. “All my dreams are coming true.”
McKendrick, also a co-writer for the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer reboot, joins a group of filmmakers enlisted by Universal to modernize classic monsters. Directors like Leigh Whannell, Chris McKay, André Øvredal, and Radio Silence are working on projects such as The Invisible Man, Renfield, The Last Voyage of the Demeter, Abigail, and an upcoming Wolf Man adaptation. Wan is also considering a new take on The Creature from the Black Lagoon.
What is James Wan’s new Universal Monster movie about?
Plot details are scarce currently, but the monster in question could be inspired by various folklore creatures worldwide, from Bigfoot to the Loch Ness Monster or the Fresno Nightcrawler.
McKendrick’s inclusion of the Nicaraguan flag in her Instagram post hints at a possible thematic direction for the film. Nicaragua’s folklore features “La Cegua,” a witch-like being capable of driving men insane and traversing solid objects.
Descriptions of “La Cegua” vary, with different accounts detailing her appearance and behavior. The film’s direction remains uncertain, and we eagerly await McKendrick’s vision.
For fans of classic monster movies, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment offers a collection of these iconic films. Additionally, the Wan-produced Teacup series will premiere two episodes on Peacock this fall.
