Way back in September of 2019, it was announced that Paul Feig (Ghostbusters: Answer the Call) would be writing and directing Dark Army for Universal, crafting a film that would include a mixture of classic Universal Monsters and original characters created by Feig. He has been struggling to get that project into production ever since, as the studio has been hesitating over budgetary issues… and as we come up on the three year anniversary of the announcement, Dark Army is still stuck in that situation.
Speaking with Collider, Feig said,
That’s one that’s driving me crazy. The problem with that is that some people read it and think it’s too expensive. I never saw it that way, but that’s what I hear. I’m still working on it and trying to get it to that sweet spot, but it’s hard. I don’t even want to tell you about a couple of other things that we can’t get sold. It’s like, “Oh, my God, who wouldn’t want this?” But probably every producer in town feels that way too.
He went on to confirm that he’s still holding on to the hope that he’s going to be able to make Dark Army someday.
Yes, of course. Yes. I have to make a monster movie. I have to make my monster movie.”
When it comes to their monster properties, Universal is currently focused on the violent comedy Renfield, which stars Nicolas Cage as Dracula and Nicholas Hoult as his lackey Renfield. Ryan Gosling is attached to star in a new version of The Wolfman, but it’s not clear when that’s going to start filming. Director Chloe Zhao is also developing a sci-fi Western version of Dracula for the studio.
Feig has never given any information on the story of Dark Army, and I’m very curious to hear more about what he has planned for this project if/when it gets off the ground.
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In addition to the 2016 Ghostbusters, Paul Feig has also directed I Am David, Unaccompanied Minors, Bridesmaids, The Heat, Spy, A Simple Favor, and Last Christmas — and maybe Dark Army will be added to that.