When you think of Paul Feig, you don’t automatically think Master of Horror. In fact, the one time that the filmmaker actually toyed with horror elements was in the middling 2016 “Ghostbusters” reboot. Other than that, Feig has found himself mostly sticking to comedies (last year’s “A Simple Favor” being the lone exception). But with the recently announced “Dark Army,” Feig is going full-on horror. But maybe not how you expect.
Speaking to ComingSoon, the filmmaker said his inspiration for the upcoming film, which is said to feature many classic horror characters, has less to do with modern jumpscare-filled films and more in line with the classic Universal Monsters films that helped create the genre decades ago.
“Horror movies to me now represent slasher and that kind of thing, which I don’t enjoy at all,” said Feig. “I loved those old movies like ‘Frankenstein.’ ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ is probably one of the greatest movies of all-time. I love that movie so much, and there are some things from that movie that I’m using in this new movie ‘Dark Army.’”
He added, “But I really want to do a James Whale-ish, modern-day version of a monster movie that is about these characters. What I love about monsters is they’re outsiders, it’s just the most extreme version of outsiders. Frankenstein is one of the most sympathetic characters ever to be put on the screen, even though he does terrible things. He’s just looking for acceptance and love…I want to bring that ookie spooky feel back to movies, but with these monsters, you root for and understand at the same time.”
Feig’s attempt to revive the classic Universal Monsters sub-genre of horror arrives just a few years after Tom Cruise attempted to do that with his failed “The Mummy.” That film ended up killing the shared universe concept known as the Dark Universe. Now, with “Dark Army” and Blumhouse’s Universal Monsters film “The Invisible Man,” it appears that the studio is ready to give the idea a go again, but with a new style.
The “Bridesmaids” filmmaker also gave an update about his progress on the film, hinting that he’s trying to get “Dark Army” in production as soon as possible.
“I finished the first draft of the script and I’m so excited about it!” he said. “I’m literally on fire about getting this movie made as soon as I can. I turned it into the Dark Universe people last week and they loved it. Now it’s going over to the heads of Universal, so we’ll see.”
At this point, Universal doesn’t have a whole hell of a lot to lose with “Dark Army.” It appears the studio is hoping to have its cake and eat it too, by allowing Blumhouse to make a straight horror film based on one of its properties, while also giving Feig free reign to go in a more classic monster movie direction with his film. If one or the other (or Heaven forbid, both) crash and burn with critics and at the box office, Universal will have to reevaluate its Dark Universe once again.
But with Feig’s classical inspiration, it appears that maybe fans of the old Universal Monsters films should start to get excited for “Dark Army.” Maybe Universal actually listened to fans and is delivering what the studio should have years ago?