Universal have been trying to create their Marvel-esque monsters cinematic universe for a while now, and nothing has really worked. The Dark Universe, as it was to be called, failed historically with the release fo 2017’s The Mummy, which was critically panned and performed poorly at the box office.
That halted plans for interconnected films based on other classic monsters such as the Wolf Man and the creature from the Black Lagoon. Since then, the studio has rejigged their plans, deciding on smaller, standalone re-imaginings of their classic tales, beginning with Leigh Whannell‘s The Invisible Man starring Elisabeth Moss, with hits cinemas later this month.
However, the studio seems to have other monster-based plans too. The studio has greenlit a musical based on the hit novelty song “Monster Mash”. Yes, really. Bobby “Boris” Pickett‘s song about ghouls ripping it up on the dance floor hit #1 in 1962, and has naturally become a Halloween staple since. Now it’s – sigh – a musical? Okay then.
Matt Stawski, who wrote the initial treatment, will direct. The script is being handled by Will Widger, but no plot details are currently known. Maybe it’s because they don’t exist because the film is based on a novelty song?
There has been a rejuvenation in the musical genre in recent years thanks to films such as La La Land and The Greatest Showman, but I’m not sure the same audiences are quite as interested in Monster Mash, somehow. At least it’s clear Universal has little to no interest in an big, monster-based MCU ripoff anymore. They’re just throwing anything at the wall and hoping it sticks.
We’ll wait to hear more news about this project, including what poor Will Widger is going to have to come up with to make this thing a real movie. At least The Invisible Man looks promising.
#Peace.Love.MonsterMash
