The Wolfman's Woes Continue

It’s “The Wolfman Day” here at Filmshaft (or feels like it). After bringing fresh meat in the way of a new trailer and poster, some rather striking information has come to light, courtesy of Variety.

It has been a production full of delays, design alterations, director changes and additional shooting. At present, it seems like more than The Wolfman is cursed. Universal have now called in editors Walter Murch and Mark Goldblatt to save the day, and to stop a silver bullet killing the film off completely.

Both have impressive screen credits, and what it says about their hiring is open to wild speculation. Murch is a master sound-editing technician, whilst Goldblatt has cut some of the best action films in recent times (and Showgirls).

It all sounded so brilliant – to begin with. Benicio Del Toro starring in his first horror film; his lupine features accommodating the vision of the film, very well. He’s an intense actor and held great respect for the source material. Original director Mark Romanek abandoned the production early on, over that perennial Hollywood classic: “creative differences”; leaving Joe Johnston to rescue the sinking ship. But it is not even clear if he is involved any more.

Universal surely must be desperate to get this film out there and pray its more than passable entertainment. With so much talent involved, it should have been a classic re-imagining of one horror’s most tragic and enduring icons. With the helping hands of Murch and Goldblatt, The Wolfman, might be shaped into something more than half decent. Let’s hope it is a monster smash, and not, monster mash. It is released March 2010 (maybe).

Tags: Benicio Del Toro, Mark Goldblatt, Universal Pictures, Walter Murch, wolfman