Paul Feig comments on Dark Army, his Universal Monsters movie

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

It's been a little over a month since the surprise announcement that GHOSTBUSTERS reboot director Paul Feig will be writing and directing a movie called DARK ARMY for Universal that will somehow involve classic Universal Monsters. The plot that brings these characters and creatures hasn't been revealed, but ComingSoon.net was able to get a quote from Feig about DARK ARMY while he was doing the press rounds for his latest film, the romantic comedy LAST CHRISTMAS.

Feig admitted that he's not a fan of modern horror, but said he is a "mega-fan" of the old school monster movies.

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. 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. If you read Mary Shelley’s book he’s a pure spirit who becomes evil because he just gets shit on constantly. Everybody just can’t get past the way he looks, and it turns him murderous. (laughs) That’s the extreme version of that kind of thing, but I love that feel. I want to bring that ooky spooky feel back to movies, but with these monsters you root for and understand at the same time."

Feig said he has completed the first draft of the script and turned it in to the people in charge of Universal's monster projects under the Dark Universe banner – confirming that the Dark Universe name is still in play, even though the plan for a series of interconnected Dark Universe monster movies was pushed aside after the release of 2017's THE MUMMY.

Since Feig mentioned that he wants to bring some James Whale style to DARK ARMY, and since he is primarily known for directing comedies himself (his credits also include BRIDESMAIDS, THE HEAT, and SPY), ComingSoon asked him if there will be an element of "camp and satire" to his monster movie. Feig replied, 

I want that level of humor in there. (Whale) took it seriously, but he’s still going, 'We’re gonna have fun with this.' There’s side characters that are fun. There’s stuff that’s a little over-the-top but in a real way, you buy it. You buy those characters even though they’re way over-the-top. I never go, 'Oh, they’re just all going look at how crazy we are, let’s make these ridiculous.' No. These are just extreme personalities."

Feig is now waiting to see if Universal will want to move forward with the project. 

In the meantime, we have another Dark Universe project to look forward to, writer/director Leigh Whannell's take on THE INVISIBLE MAN. Produced by Blumhouse, THE INVISIBLE MAN is set to reach theatres on February 28, 2020.