‘Wolfman’ Starring Ryan Gosling Adds Director Derek Cianfrance

Universal’s new Wolfman film starring Ryan Gosling has found a new director in Derek Cianfrance (“I Know This Much Is True“), Deadline exclusively revealed. Gosling and Cianfrance have worked together previously on The Place Beyond the Pines and Blue Valentine.

Wolfman Derek Cianfrance — Lon Chaney Jr. The Wolf Man 1941

Cianfrance is taking over as director from Leigh Whannell, who had to part ways due to scheduling issues. Cianfrance will also now be penning the script, which is said to be “a modern take and not a period piece like the one starring Benicio Del Toro.” Gosling was the one who pitched the idea, and Universal green lit the project to expand their Monster Universe.

With the Tom Cruise starring The Mummy failing at the box office Universal reevaluated their plans of a connected Monster Universe. However, after the massive success of Whannell‘s The Invisible Man, Universal began moving forward on stand alone Monsters movies.

“Horror movies were my first love — my entry into what cinema was capable of narratively, psychologically and aesthetically. Coupled with the opportunity to collaborate with Ryan again, this is truly a dream come true. I’m thrilled and inspired to work with the good folks at Blumhouse and Universal to bring this monster back to life in our collective unconscious,” said Cianfrance.