Summary
- Universal is not giving up on
The Munsters
, with a new series titled
1313
in the works, which is set to be a darker reimagining. - James Wan, known for horror hits like
Saw
and
The Conjuring
, is returning to the genre for the new Munsters series alongside showrunner Lindsey Anderson Beer. - Despite previous attempts, Universal has confidence in the potential success of
1313
, aiming to embrace a darker version of the classic show.
Though Rob Zombie’s 2022 reimagining of The Munsters debuted on Netflix to mixed reviews, Universal hasn’t given up on the lovable family of monsters just yet. A new series titled 1313 is in the works, and this time around it will involve acclaimed horror director and producer, James Wan. The series will be a “darker reimagining” of the classic show that ran from 1964 to 1966 on CBS.
As per Deadline, 1313 has landed Lindsey Anderson Beer as showrunner, who is developing the series alongside Wan and Ingrid Bisu for UCP. Beer is the writer/director behind Pet Sematary: Bloodlines, which hit Paramount+ in 2023, and Wan is, of course, the man behind many horror hits such as Saw, The Conjuring, and Malignant. There’s no word yet on casting, or when the series might debut.
Originally hitting the airwaves in 1964, The Munsters would go on to be regarded as one of the best TV shows of the 1960s, and spawned a wave of merchandise including comics, model kits, and video games. A series titled The Munsters Today aired from 1988 to 1991, and served as a sequel to the original show, taking place 22 years later.
Bryan Fuller attempted to reboot The Munsters in 2012 by way of Mockingbird Lane, but after the pilot episode aired on October 26 to mixed reviews, the series was not picked up by NBC. This allowed Rob Zombie to put his own spin on the classic family of monsters in what was thought to be a feature film, but ended up streaming on Netflix instead. The Munsters premiered on September 27, 2022, and while many praised the film’s aesthetics, it was criticized for its lack of plot.
James Wan Returns to Horror With The Munsters
James Wan has become synonymous with horror over the years thanks to his involvement in the Saw, Insidious, and Conjuring franchises. Though he briefly stepped away from the genre to direct Aquaman in 2018, and Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom in 2023, his heart continues to beat for the genre he loves. Back in late 2023 while promoting the Aquaman sequel, Wan said the “itch for horror is potentially calling.”
“You know, I have a tendency to want to go back and forth. So, whenever I make a smaller film, I wanna go and make a big film. Whenever I’m doing a big one, I’m like, ‘Oh, I wanna go and do a smaller film,’ and when I do my smaller films, it tends to be a horror film. So, you know,
I feel like the itch for horror is potentially calling
, but we’ll see.”
At the time, it was thought that Wan could potentially return to the directors’ chair for The Conjuring: Last Rites, but it has since been revealed that Michael Chaves is in talks to helm what is expected to be the final film in the main franchise set in The Conjuring Universe. Chaves has directed previous films in the franchise, including The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, The Curse of La Llorona, and The Nun II.
Related James Wan’s Malignant Reshaped the Family Trauma Trope in Horror In a time when it feels like every horror movie is about trauma, James Wan’s Malignant is determined to bring the horror genre back to its roots.
While Lindsey Anderson Beer’s prequel Pet Sematary: Bloodlines was met with harsh criticism upon its debut, Universal obviously has confidence in her abilities to lead 1313 along with Wan. Whether the series can find success where others have failed, and if audiences will embrace a darker version of what was originally a light-hearted family affair, remains to be seen.
The 1964 version of
The Munsters
is available to stream on
Peacock
and Rob Zombie’s 2022 reimagining is available on
Netflix
.
1.5/5
Rob Zombie takes on The Munsters in this reboot/prequel of the classic 1960s TV Series about a family of monsters relocating from Transylvania to suburban America. The Munsters film explores the early days of Herman (Jeff Daniel Phillips) and Lily Munster (Sheri Moon Zombie) and the early days of their relationship back in Transylvania. Herman will attempt to gain the approval of Lily’s father, as being a Frankenstein monster doesn’t sit well with the patriarch.
Release Date September 27, 2022
Runtime 109 Minutes
Studio(s) Universal 1440 Entertainment , Spookshow International Films , Capital Arts Entertainment , Hero Squared
Distributor(s) Universal Pictures , Netflix
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