The Wolfman Looks Intense

Posted by bob in Films, News on July 26th, 2008

Universal Studios hosted a panel at Comic-Con International previewing The Wolfman, due out in March 2009.  Panelists included make-up artist extraordinaire Rick Baker, the Wolfman himself, Benecio Del Toro, and his costar Emily Blunt.

Baker, who normally waits for people to approach him, revealed that he personally went to Universal to say “I have to do this.”

Del Toro came to portray the doomed Lawrence Talbot because he loved the original 1941 movie as a kid.  He had an original Wolfman poster at his house and his manager approached Universal, which got the long-planned project out of development hell.

Blunt expressed that she is not a fan of slasher horror and came to the project in search for the vintage horror.

Baker and Del Toro have been fans of the original Wolfman since their childhood and both shared their inspiration from classics such as Boris Karloff and Lon Chaney Sr. and Lon Chaney Jr., and even specifically mentioned Famous Monsters of Filmland as part of their childhood years.  Baker was doing himself as the Wolfman since he was 10 years old.
The trailer wowed the crowd and make-up artist extraordinaire Rick Baker talked about his efforts.  He admitted his disappointment that the producers opted for a CGI transformation rather than one he could concoct but otherwise, he’s thrilled with the finished work.

We also now know that the film is an atmospheric period piece, set in the nineteenth century. Baker stressed that they tried to stay true to the original, “man in costume, old school, not CGI everything.”  The effect is “something very human about [the monster] still, that’s what’s so frightening” say Blunt.

Baker expressed a sense of ease, claiming that old fashion gothic horror is the right way to make the film.  In terms of a more physical transformation vs. a CGI, they are hoping to do it more American Werewolf in London style.

When asked what was the best part of working with Blunt, he replied, “The Chase.”

After the panel Baker told Dread Central, “I am a fanboy at heart; I love this stuff. I wanted to stay true to the Jack Pierce make-up and still modernize it.”

When asked about a dream project, Baker commented, “My passion project is Frankenstein. I already have a bajillion designs!