Wolf Man
Universal seek to make the Dark Universe happen 8 age ago with Tom Cruise’sThe Mummy , andWolf Manconfirms it ’s a good thing the cinematic universe fail . The 2025 revulsion film from director Leigh Whannell is the in vogue example of classic Universal Monsters being reinvent for modern audience . This management for some iconic creatures was a gruelling vehemence of 2017’sThe Mummy , which star Tom Cruise in a big - budget , action - driven feature . It was meant to kickstart an entire cinematic universe of discourse - fuck as the Dark Universe - that would bring together Invisible Man , Frankenstein , and more .
The Dark Universe plans were sprawling onward ofThe Mummy ’s spill in 2017 , admit Universal ’s now infamous pic of Russell Crowe , Javier Bardem , Tom Cruise , Johnny Depp , and Sofia Boutella photoshopped together as a promise of the monster franchise to come . This Leslie Townes Hope came crashing down in the side effect ofThe Mummy ’s release , as it made $ 410 million at the box office staff , resulting in Universal losing between $ 60M-$95 M on the film . That ushered in a new direction forupcoming Universal Monster moviesthatWolf Manbelongs to , and the 2025 photographic film proves the pivot was for the good .
Wolf Man Was Originally Going To Be Part Of The Dark Universe
Universal Had Eyes On A Wolf Man Movie For Years
By the timeThe Mummycame out in 2017 , Universal had many different films in growing that were intended to be part of the Dark Universe . The franchise only vex as far as bringing Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp on base as Frankenstein and The Invisible Man , respectively , in terms of mass who did not appear inThe Mummy . However , aWolf Manmovie was in exploitation at Universal since 2014 . Aaron Guzikowski was hired to pen a playscript for the film , which was design as a fresh likely enfranchisement starting motor within the Dark Universe .
Development on this looping ofWolf Mandid not make it too far by all accounts . No managing director was ever hired to make the film . There were story thatUniversal wanted Dwayne Johnson to play Wolf Manin the Modern celluloid and join the Dark Universe ’s A - inclination ensemble cast . This all add up to a halt afterThe Mummy ’s loss . Universalcanceled several Dark Universe moviesand reconfigured its approach move forth . This even lead to Ryan Gosling spearheading the evolution of a newWolf Manmovie , which led to the new motion picture he serves as a manufacturer on .
2025’s Wolf Man Could Not Exist Within The Dark Universe
This Iteration Of Wolf Man Wouldn’t Work In A Shared Universe
The Dark Universe ’s collapse is ultimately a upright thing when look at 2025’sWolf Man . Universal made it clear what direction the cinematic universe was heading in withThe Mummy . These film were go to be driven by top - level stars , lean into action over repugnance , and carry massive budget . There was also for sure going to be an accent on crossovers and worldbuilding to set up future installments . The Mummyshows why that coming was not the good , as there were level role , not enough scares , and too much franchise setup for a individual film .
It ’s striking how differentWolf Manis compared toThe Mummy . The novel monster film might as well be the exact opposite in every way . The flick is headline by rising stars in Christopher Abbott and Julia Garner , has a very low scale to the narration , brings the horror aspects to the forefront , and is an entirely standalone story . There is no sequel set up or universe edifice inWolf Man ’s ending . It ’s the antithesis of what the Dark Universe was go for then .
There is no prospect this version ofWolf Manwould have been made under the Dark Universe banner . That ’s an assessment I experience positive in even without knowing what the Dark Universe ’s version ofWolf Manwas start to be about . But if Dwayne Johnson was the original for the lead role , a large - budget , activity - clayey blockbuster would have been the final result . Instead , 2025’sWolf Mangives audiences a small , personal folk drama revulsion film relying on virtual effects that does n’t have the weight of a deal cosmos on its shoulders .
Wolf Man Is Further Proof That Universal’s Monsters Don’t Need The Dark Universe
Bringing Back The Dark Universe Would Be A Disservice
The musical theme of the Dark Universe and a dealership with all of Universal ’s classical behemoth immingle is not a foreign conception , as the studio had succeeder with the idea on a belittled graduated table through the 1930s and 1950s . However , Wolf Manis another admonisher that this is not a necessity to do these characters justice . Universal has had a few recent success story with these prop by removing the share universe burdenfrom them . In the last six year , they ’ve madeThe Invisible Man , Renfield , The Last Voyage of the Demeter , Abigail , and nowWolf Man .
Movie
Critics RT Score
Custom Image by Ana Nieves
Audience RT Score
Box Office
The unseeable Man(2020 )
Custom Image by Yailin Chacon
91 %
88 %
$ 144.4 million
Custom Image by Yailin Chacon
Renfield(2023 )
58 %
79 %
Custom image by Yailin Chacon
$ 26.4 million
The Last Voyage of the Demeter(2023 )
50 %
74 %
$ 21.7 million
Abigail(2024 )
83 %
84 %
$ 42.7 million
Wolf Man(2025 )
54 %
62 %
N / A
While not all of these movies were warmly received by critics or did just business at the box office , there is a lot to like about them individually . Leigh Whannell’sThe Invisible Manstands as the best of the bunch critically and commercially . Renfieldmay have struggled with critics , but Nicolas Cage as Dracula subsist up to outlook . The Last Voyage of the Demetertold the Dracula story most films hop right over , providing a new experience . Abigailshowed how to reboot the Dark Universewith Dracula ’s girl . AndWolf Mantakes get around a bigger franchise installment might not have .
By making all these different standalone picture , Universal is throw fan of the Universal Monsters more films to see . Importantly , this is all being done without audiences or filmmakers worry about how a film connects to others . These picture show work alone and do not need a big squad - up crossover like the Dark Universe so urgently desire . Not every film is bound to be great , but the Dark Universe was n’t off to a capital start . It ’s much right to allow these movies and characters be on their own than force a shared population strictly for potential box situation lucre .
What Wolf Man Means For The Future Of Universal’s Monster Movies
More Standalone Monster Movies Are Coming
How prominent of a hitWolf Manis for Universal rest to be seen , as the critical response has been more mixed than wait . Wolf Man ’s loge officecould be a key factor for Universal and Blumhouse then when it comes to determining what the future of these properties will see like . In the long time since abandoning the Dark Universe , Universal has started ontogeny on a fistful of motion-picture show that are mean to continue the standalone picture show advance . This includes James Wan potentially direct a newThe Creature of the Black Lagoonafter developing an original idea for the hand .
That is far from the only Universal Monster motion-picture show still in development . Reboots ofThe Phantom of the Opera , Van Helsing , Scorpio King , Bride of Frankenstein , Dracula , The Invisible Woman , andFrankensteinhave been in the employment for years , but none of them are impending at this microscope stage . One has to wonder if Universal will reconsider the future of these properties ifWolf Manunderperforms at the corner spot just asAbigail , The Last Voyage of the Demeter , andRenfielddid . That could include rethink whether a Dark Universe should happen but just in a new elbow room .
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