James Wan, Rick Baker, and More Share Universal Monsters Love at Epic Universe

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For almost a century, Universal Monsters such as Dracula, Frankenstein’s Creature, the Wolf Man, The Mummy, and others have instilled terror in viewers and sparked countless creative minds. Although Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Studios theme parks have previously paid tribute to these characters, Epic Universe’s Dark Universe is elevating the experience, transporting guests to the haunting town of Darkmoor for thrilling rides, photo opportunities, themed dining experiences, and more. In celebration of the grand opening of Epic Universe, several horror icons gathered to honor the roots of the horror film genre.

At the event, we had ComicBook present, providing us with insights about the creative favorites, drawn from their cherished lineup.

As a cinephile, I’ve got to admit, I hold a special place in my heart for all three – Dracula, Frankenstein, and Creature from the Black Lagoon. The Creature is tough to beat though! Oh, and don’t forget about the Wolf Man. Of course, the Wolf Man too!

For Rick Baker, the Frankenstein Monster was his driving force. That movie sparked his passion and led him to pursue a career as a makeup artist. What drew him to it so much was that he felt a connection with the Monster – both of them creating life, albeit one out of rubber.

In his words, Jeremy Slater, the creator of “The Exorcist” TV series, shared that he was a fan of Universal Monsters since childhood. Yesterday, they experienced “Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment” six times, which he deemed as the best ride of his lifetime. As a lifelong enthusiast of these classic monsters, he added that both Dracula and Creature from the Black Lagoon were equally amazing to him. He was thrilled to see them brought to life so realistically, with their attempts to attack and scare visitors. Lastly, he marveled at the sheer amount of love and attention to detail put into every corner of the park, leaving him and his companions in awe.

Actress Melissa Russell, known for her role in The Exorcist, shared that Frankenstein’s Monster remains her preferred Universal Monster, expressing a heartfelt sentiment: “He yearns for companionship above all.

As a devoted cinephile, I was captivated to learn that composer Danny Elfman played a significant role in creating the music for Dark Universe. What intrigued me most was his surprising explanation of why he felt an affinity for Dracula.

The composer explained that it’s hard to deny a connection other than Dracula, as I was brought up believing there are vampires in our family. This is why we cannot be exposed to sunlight, and neither can my offspring. So, I passed on the same tale to them, and now they tell it to their children. Consequently, every Elfman is told that we have vampire blood due to our ancestry from an old country, and this is why none of us can tolerate sunlight. And it’s accurate – Vlad, on my mother’s side, hails from Lithuania.

Additionally, the movie creators revealed some of their collaborative works that could potentially transform into thrilling theme park experiences.

Wan playfully suggested that “Saw” would be quite entertaining. He implied that it would be enjoyable for everyone participating, catering to all age groups, from youngsters to seniors. Baker humorously countered, “Well, it turns out the Wolfman is indeed present. The new Wolfman bears a striking resemblance to the one I portrayed in 2010. So, I’m not sure. To be honest, everything about it is impressive. I must admit, I’ve been left speechless. I don’t often get impressed, but this production has left me in awe.

Slater pointed out, “To be honest, an amusement park based on ‘The Exorcist’ would undeniably be distressing and rather unpopular. As for ‘Umbrella Academy’, it could either be enjoyable or quite peculiar. The upcoming movie ‘Mortal Kombat’ is set to hit theaters in a few months, and I guarantee it will offer the most thrilling cinema experience of the year. It’s going to be an absolute blast! In my opinion, a roller coaster themed around Scorpion would be a fantastic idea.

Elfman hinted at one of his many partnerships with Tim Burton, saying, “Who wouldn’t jump at the chance to explore a Beetlejuice universe? I’d be the quickest to visit Pee-wee Herman’s land.

Without a doubt, the classic Universal Monsters continue to captivate us through various reincarnations. When posed with the question of which monster they’d like to reimagine, Baker and Slater displayed a range of responses.

As a passionate cinephile, the image of Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein’s Monster has deeply resonated within me, to the point where I doubt I could create a more convincing makeup. In my mind, that iconic portrayal defines Frankenstein’s Monster for me. On occasion, I’ve even contemplated attempting it, but my nerves always got the better of me. Recently, when asked about potential roles, the artist shared this sentiment.

On a related note, if given the chance, I would gladly take on any Universal Monster character. The Creature and Dracula seem to be yearning for a comeback. We’ve recently witnessed a Wolf Man, and I eagerly await Guillermo del Toro’s vision of Frankenstein. So, if I were to choose one, it would undoubtedly be Dracula. I dare say, I’d be honored to compete for the opportunity to portray him.

In the “Dark Universe”, visitors will delve into the gloomy hamlet of Darkmoor, a place where legendary creatures from Universal Monsters dwell, such as Dracula, The Wolf Man, and Frankenstein’s Monster, among others. The symbol of this foreboding realm is Frankenstein Manor, a place where visitors will descend into its subterranean passages and confront an angry horde of monstrous creatures on Universal Orlando’s scariest attraction yet – Monsters Unchained: The Frankenstein Experiment.

Universal’s Epic Universe is open now.

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2025-05-24 02:48