As Mattel looks to bring another of their iconic franchises to the big screen, director Gerard Johnstone previews his vision for the live-actionMonster Highmovie adaptation. The multimedia doll franchise, which centers on the teenage offspring of iconic monsters and mythical creatures, including Frankenstein’s monster and Dracula, among many others, has been adapted for the screen across 15 animated films, two live-action films and an animated series. Johnstone, after making his directorial debut with the horror-comedyHousebound, quickly broke out internationally helmingthe viral horror hitM3GANand co-writing and directing its upcoming sequel.
During an interview withScreenRant’s Ash Crossan to discussM3GAN 2.0’s release, Johnstone opened up about his upcomingMonster Highmovie. In addition to confirming the project is “just in the early stages” after being hired earlier this month,the director revealed Mattel and Universal have given him “free rein to reinterpret the characters as I saw fit”, with him feeling he has “found a way into those characters” and the “really rich world” of the franchise. Check out the rest of what Johnstone shared below:
I love horror – I come from horror and comedy – and obviously M3GAN is more on the sci-fi spectrum, but I’ve always loved those gothic, Universal monster movie characters. This felt like a way to play in that sandbox a little bit. And yeah, I’ve come up with a take on it that I’m really excited about. We’re just in the early stages.
What This Means For The Monster High Movie
Johnstone Is Getting The Same Creative Freedom As Mattel’s First Major Hit
Johnstone’sMonster Highmovie comes at an interesting point in the franchise as it continues to enjoy the success of its second relaunch, which included two well-received live-action films on Paramount+ and Nickelodeon. Even more, however, is thatthe film comes in the midst of Mattel Films building out their future in the wake ofBarbie’s $1.447 billion success. In addition toMonster High, the studio is currently working on 15 other adaptations of their franchises, includingnext year’sMasters of the Universerebootand the Anthony Ramos-ledBob the Buildermovie, among others.
However, arguably the most intriguing update to come from Johnstone’s comments above is thathe’s being given free rein to adaptMonster Highfor the screen, a bold decision on the part of Mattel Films. Given the franchise is worth well over $1 billion, it’d be understandable for the studio to be cautious about how the filmmaker adapted the series. However, as Greta Gerwig’s innovative approach toBarbienetted it eight Oscar nominations, it’s clear they’re willing to take risks with their various properties.
What will also be interesting to see with theMonster Highmovie is how Johnstone plays with the classic tropes of Universal monsters, given said roster has been the subject of many recent film adaptations,all of which have seen a range of critical and commercial reception. For everyInvisible Mansuccess, there were disappointing responses toBlumhouse’sWolf ManandThe Last Voyage of the Demeter. With Johnstone’s previously well-received genre mixing, however, it may be just enough to help set it apart from other throwbacks to the horror genre’s gothic past.
Our Take On Johnstone’s Monster High Update
The Movie Adaptation Is In Good Hands
Johnstone has really been on a roll in the director’s chair sinceHousebound, and whileMonster Highmay, on paper, seem like a franchise outside my demographic, I can’t deny that his comments on his approach to adapting the series for the screen make it a really promising one. Much likeGerwig did withBarbie, it sounds like he’s bringing his unique filmmaking vision to subvert expectations and deliver something that can appeal to a broader audience.
Monster High
Cast
Monster High follows the teenage children of legendary monsters as they navigate life at a unique school in New Salem. Students like Frankie Stein, Clawdeen Wolf, and Draculaura balance personal challenges and friendships in this animated feature that delves into a world filled with mythical legacy and youthful adventure.
