Looks like Universal Pictures is not giving up on its long in the works CREATURE FROM THE BLACK LAGOON remake. The Tracking Board has it that the studio aims to cast Scarlett Johansson in the lead role of the creature feature. Nothing has been confirmed yet, as the site explains Scarlett is being “courted” by Universal for the role and is their top choice.
But who will direct? A CREATURE remake has been discussed for ages, with directors John Carpenter, John Landis and Joe Dante attached many years ago, with names like Gary Ross, Guillermo del Toro, Breck Eisner and Carl Rinsch more recently in the mix to bring it back to life. Our last official update on the pic came in 2009, when it was announced INVASION scribe Dave Kajganich had been hired by Universal to draft a new script. Obviously, that didn’t go anywhere.
But these are different times, with Universal making it a priority to revive all their Classic Universal Monster titles; the endeavor kicked off in 2014 with DRACULA UNTOLD and continues next year with THE MUMMY. How the Creature would actually fit in with either of those dudes is a mystery to me.
In case you needed it, here’s a CREATURE synopsis:
A scientific expedition searching for fossils along the Amazon River discover a prehistoric Gill-Man in the legendary Black Lagoon. The explorers capture the mysterious creature, but it breaks free. The Gill-Man returns to kidnap the lovely Kay, fiancée of one of the expedition, with whom it has fallen in love.
The current draft of the script is said to be written by Jeff Blitz, Gary Ross, Tedi Sarafian and Paul Schering. Ross (THE HUNGER GAMES, PLEASANTVILLE) has actually been attached to this project longer than anyone, as his 2001 script has long been the template for the remake. Fun fact: Ross’ dad co-wrote the original CREATURE, so obviously this title is near and dear to his heart.