Are ‘Wolf Man’ and ‘The Invisible Man’ set in the same shared universe?

Universal and Blumhouse’s “Wolfman” howls in the cinema on Friday.

Co-written and directed by Leigh Whannell, who also made the 2020 update of “The Invisible Man,” this “Wolf Man” follows a young family (Christopher Abbott, Julia Garner and their daughter Matilda Firth) who encounter something terrifying in the woods and try to to survive the night.

But is “Wolf Man” part of a larger cinematic universe? Let’s break it down.

Is “Wolf Man” part of a Universal Monsters universe?

It isn’t. At least not in the way you imagine.

What does that mean?

A few years ago, Universal got very ambitious about what they referred to as Dark universe – a series of interconnected films, much like Marvel Studios’ Marvel Cinematic Universe, that will feature Universal’s line of big-screen animals.

The first film out of the gate was 2017’s “The Mummy,” a very expensive action film starring Tom Cruise that underperformed at the box office. At this time, Universal had already released a picture with actors who would appear in subsequent films – Johnny Depp was the Invisible Man, Cruise would continue as the mummy, Javier Bardem would be Frankenstein’s monster, and later Angelina Jolie was seen. Bride of Frankenstein. This approach was quietly withdrawn, these actors were released from their contracts, and Universal adapted a more disposable approach to the characters.

But you said the universe is not the same in “the way you imagine.” Do you want to explain?

Whannell has been very open about his approach to “Wolf Man” and how it mimicked “The Invisible Man.” He wanted to take a classic archetype and retrofit it for the present. To that end, both films feel very similar tonally, and he toyed with the idea of ​​referencing the events of “The Invisible Man” in “Wolf Man,” but eventually backed off. They’re not specifically part of the same universe, but it feels like there’s a link. At least they both take place in a world similar to our own. And it’s actually exciting.

Any plans to make more of these modestly budgeted updates of classic Universal horror films?

There is sort of.

What does that mean?

Jason Blum, who produced both “Wolf Man” and “Invisible Man,” has another monster movie coming – “The Mummy,” from “Evil Dead Rise” director Lee Cronin. (Cronin will also write.) What’s odd about this is that the film is coming from New Line Cinema, not Universal. This does not mean much; anyone can make a mummy movie and a lot of people have. It just means that Cronin won’t be able to use elements of The Mummy that are proprietary to Universal. (That was 1999’s “The Mummy” and its two sequels, along with the 2017 Cruise film.) Cronin’s unbound “Mummy” arrives in theaters, wrapped in bandages, on April 17, 2026.

But no more proper Universal remakes have been announced?

No. Not yet. But they are about to set aside an entire country in Universal’s epic universe theme park for them, so the franchise, in addition to being an important legacy brand, will be kept alive (or is it undead?) Epic Universe opens as part of Universal Orlando Resort this summer.

Something else?

No! That’s it! Enjoy “Wolf Man” knowing that it doesn’t fit into an interconnected series of films, and that you don’t need to see a seven-part made-for-Peacock prequel series to enjoy it! Bliss!

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