Leigh Whannell's Wolf Man will be self-contained and likely not part of the Dark Universe

During a recent chat with Screen Rant, Wolf Man producer Ken Kao explained that the upcoming film, releasing in January 2025, will be self-contained and not necessarily part of the overarching "Dark Universe" that Universal attempted to launch with the 2017 remake of The Mummy.

In Kao's opinion, the Dark Universe "felt like it was reactive to what was going on with all the superhero stuff," specifically with the MCU and DC universes. He compares Wolf Man to a standalone film like Joker.

Wolf Man is being directed by Leigh Whannell, who previously wrote and directed The Invisible Man, another standalone entry in the Dark Universe catalog. Universal seems to have given up on an overarching universe, preferring to focus on films that allow directors more creative control and can be watched individually without crossover.

However, Kao notes the discussion is "above [his] pay grade" and we still don't know for sure what Universal's plans are for the future.

Plot and cast details for The Wolf Man

We still have a long way to go before Wolf Man releases in theaters on January 17, 2025. In addition to directing, Whannell also worked on the screenplay with Corbett Tuck, Lauren Schuker Blum, and Rebecca Angelo.

A Blumhouse production, Wolf Man is a reboot of the classic 1941 film starring Lon Chaney Jr. The film has been in development for almost a decade now, shuffling through different directors, ideas, stars, and iterations. Leigh Whannell was previously attached to direct before exiting the film, with Blue Valentine director Derek Cianfrance and Ryan Gosling tapped to star. By December 2023, Cianfrance and Gosling had exited the project, and Whannell took over again.

Poor Things star Christopher Abbott will now play Larry Talbot/Wolf Man. Ozark actress Julia Garner, Sam Jaeger (The Handmaid's Tale), and Matilda Firth also star.

Plot details are scant. Yes, it is a reboot of the 1941 film, but I'm sure Whannell will take it in a much different (and probably darker) direction. Wolf Man follows Larry Talbot as he tries to protect himself and his family from a werewolf.

Wolf Man will be released in theaters January 17, 2025. To stay up to date on thrillers, sci-fi, and horror, bookmark 1428 Elm and follow our Facebook page and Twitter account!