Radio Silence, the production company behind recent “Scream” films, have signed on to a new untitled Universal Monsters thriller.
Radio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olphin and Tyler Gillett will direct, while Chad Villella will produce. William Sherak, Paul Neinstein, and James Vanderbilt of Project X Entertainment will also produce, as will Tripp Vinson.
The screenplay is written by Stephen Shields with revisions by Guy Busick.
Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett recently directed the 2022 “Scream” and “Scream VI.” Radio Silence’s Villella executive-produced Project X produced. The films were written by Vanderbilt and Busick. “Scream VI” grossed $67.1 million globally.
Radio Silence was eying the Universal Monsters project after “Scream,” Deadline reports, but had to work quickly on a sequel first.
The untitled Universal Monsters thriller will provide a unique take on legendary monster lore, Deadline states, and “represent a fresh, new direction for how to celebrate these classic characters.” The Universal Monsters franchise has been ongoing since the 1930s, featuring characters like Dracula, the Wolfman, the Mummy, Frankenstein’s Monster, and the Bride of Frankensteins. The movies aren’t necessarily connected in one universe, just feature the legendary monsters.
Universal Pictures has been trying to revive the franchise with middling success. Recent Universal Monsters films include “The Mummy” (2017) and “The Invisible Man” (2020). “Renfield,” a horror comedy about Dracula’s servant, will be out in a few days.
Jay Polidoro, Holly Goline, Kelly Cannon, and Jacqueline Garell are overseeing the new project on behalf of Universal Pictures.
Details, including which monster or monsters will be featured, are still to come.
Classic Monsters at Universal Parks
Universal’s Classic Monsters used to be represented in Universal Studios Florida with Monsters Cafe and the Bone Chillin’ Stand, but both have now closed to make way for Minion Cafe.
At Halloween Horror Nights 2022, there were two Universal Monsters houses, one in Universal Studios Hollywood and one in Universal Studios Florida. Though different, the houses were connected in one big story. Other than these interconnected houses, various Universal Monsters houses and mazes have been present at Halloween Horror Nights over the years, including at Universal Studios Japan.
Beyond the houses, Universal Monsters frequently make appearances at Universal Parks around Halloween time and are featured on merchandise lines.
In early 2022, while Revenge of the Mummy was closed for refurbishment, its gift shop, Sahara Traders, became a Classic Monsters Tribute Store. Classic Monsters merch is still available in the store.
Universal Monsters is rumored to be the theme of one of the new Epic Universe lands. Universal Destinations & Experiences recently filed trademarks for Curse of the Werewolf, which could be an attraction, and Dark Universe, which was the name of a canceled series of Universal Monsters movies. Dark Universe could be the name of almost anything in Epic Universe, including the overall title of the Monsters land.
The planned year-round horror destination coming to Las Vegas could also have ties to Universal Monsters.
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