Universal Releases Dark Universe Trailer

Theme Parks

Universal’s Epic Universe is finally getting to the good stuff. Everyone can keep their Harry Potters and their trained dragons; I love me some Universal Monsters, and today, Universal released a trailer for the Dark Universe, the section of Epic Universe celebrating Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, the Wolf Man, and the rest of the famous creatures from Hollywood’s Golden Age. The trailer teases a Gothic horror village come to life, with monster make-up for guests, a steakhouse run by Dracula’s familiars (because of course the cool universe would have the best food), a roller coaster based on The Wolf Man that takes you through Maleva’s Gypsy village, a tavern located inside the burning windmill from Frankenstein, and a huge monster showcase located in Castle Frankenstein. You can see the Dark Universe trailer below:

That looks incredible. The Universal Monsters are such wonderful characters inhabiting a fantastical world, but it seems like after the initial run of movies from the 1930s through the 1950s, Universal didn’t know what to do with them. Outside of the 90s version of The Mummy with Brendan Fraser (which was great), nothing worked, and they’re still plugging away at it. My hope is that, unlike all the modern attempts to revive them, the Dark Universe understands what makes the Universal Monsters so special. And this trailer makes me think they may have it, as they seem to be trying to recreate the atmosphere of those films – which, along with the humanity of the monsters, was their greatest strength. There are some modern flourishes, of course, like Maleva being young and sexy instead of an old lady or using Henry Frankenstein’s granddaughter, Victoria Frankenstein. But I’m more concerned with how fun and true to the spirit of those movies the park is. As for what I’d like to see, I definitely want a tribute to the amazing actors who brought the Universal Monsters to life – maybe a Hall of Heroes, or something. (The very last one should be the final credit of each film he appeared in: “And Lon Chaney as the Wolf Man.”)  I also hope the Wolf Man of the park is Larry Talbot, because I love that character so much. And it would bring the house down if Abbott and Costello save the day at the end of that Castle Frankenstein attraction. (Not to be too internetty, but if you know, you know.) I’m not really a theme park guy, but this could get me back to Universal Studios one day.

Remember to keep up with the Epic Universe and all other theme park happenings at Park Hoppin’!