James Wan, a pillar of contemporary horror cinema and the creator of the Saw and The Conjuring franchises, is developing a new take on the classic Universal monster feature, The Creature From the Black Lagoon. According to THR, Wan is in early talks to direct the feature film.

A writer will now be hired to write a script for the remake of the 1954 classic, working alongside Wan and Universal. This is the first project Wan has attached himself to as director since his company’s production banner, Atomic Monster, merged with Jason Blum’s Blumhouse Productions.

Wan will, of course, also act as a producer on Creature From the Black Lagoon, with Atomic Monster’s Michael Clear and Judson Scott serving as executive producers.

The original film, a black-and-white, 3-D horror, featured a prehistoric, water-dwelling, humanoid monster and followed the group of scientists that aim to capture and study him. Jack Arnold directed the ’54 creature feature from a script by Arthur A. Ross, which starred Julie Adams and Ben Chapman as the Gill-Man. Wan’s take is described as being a grounded, modernized retelling that will lean into visceral horror, while still paying respect to the original.

Until we hear further updates on the project, check out STARBURST’s review of the original film.