In just a few weeks, Leigh Whannell will debut his own vision of Wolf Man, and he’s already bracing for fan backlash, particularly regarding the design of his werewolf. Starring Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner, and Matilda Firth, the film follows Whannell’s reimagining trend seen in 2020’s The Invisible Man, but this time, the story unfolds in a much tighter, more isolated setting.
Leigh Whannell recently sat down with SFX Magazine to discuss Wolf Man, which revolves around a family trapped in a remote cabin while being hunted by a werewolf. During the interview, he described what audiences can expect from his approach to the mythical creature. He emphasized that the werewolf featured in the movie is “100% practical” with no CGI, though he admitted the design diverges significantly from the traditional depiction, which could stir mixed reactions.
“I believe in bringing something fresh. Sure, there might be those who don’t like it because they’re attached to the classic look, but this was the direction I wanted to pursue,” Whannell explained.
The recently released Wolf Man trailer (embedded below) also hints at departures from the 1941 original. Gone are the Romani fortunetellers, pentagrams, or silver wolf-headed canes. Instead, Whannell appears to draw inspiration from An American Werewolf in London, particularly in the gruesome transformation sequences featuring Christopher Abbott, leaning heavily into the body horror genre.
The Halloween Horror Nights Controversy
One reason Whannell might be so prepared for fan criticism stems from an incident during Universal Studios’ Halloween Horror Nights last year in Orlando. A promotional stunt featured an actor in full werewolf makeup, which prompted widespread ridicule online. One comment mockingly read, “I’ve seen Walmart shoppers who look more like a wolfman than this.”
The event showcased what looked like a frail, elderly man with unkempt hair, claw-like hands, and shredded clothing. While the attempt was meant to intimidate, it instead sparked laughter. Whannell, however, clarified that the promotional design was not an accurate representation of the movie’s creature.
“Something slipped through the cracks, and suddenly, there’s this theme park promotion for Wolf Man that doesn’t look right. It shouldn’t have been shown, because people might think that’s our wolf. My only response is to say, ‘That’s not what we’re doing.’ All I can do now is wait for the film’s release and hope people understand our vision,” he stated.
Interestingly, the design from the Orlando reveal makes a brief appearance in the trailer, albeit with a much more menacing portrayal in the finished cut. Fans will be able to see the full transformation when Wolf Man premieres in theaters on January 17, 2025, distributed by Universal Pictures.
Source: MovieWeb
