10 Horror Film Remakes To Avoid
7. The Wolfman (2010)
Joe Johnstons The Wolfman had the unenviable task of remaking a Hammer Horror classic. Lon Chaney was the definitive Wolf Man for generations past, appearing in the 1941 classic as Larry Talbot - the young gent who returns home only to be bitten by a werewolf. In the end, his father tragically kills him when Larry attacks his true love, Gwen. Its a simple yet elegant story, and one that fails to require an update.
Yet updated it was. Tweaking the story so that Laurence Talbot (Benicio Del Toro) is investigating the death of his brother - death-by-Wolfman, natch - the director upturns the apple cart by having not only Laurence get bit, but have it be revealed that the werewolf doing all the biting is his actually his dear old dad (Anthony Hopkins).
Whilst Hopkins is clearly relishing the role, hamming it up as a former big game hunter who became the biggest game of all, the twist feels superfluous and meaningless. So Laurences dad is a d*ck - boo hoo. He was a d*ck anyway, adding a Wolfman element into that doesnt illuminate the character any farther.
Luckily, well always have Hugo Weaving turning up as one Inspector Aberline, rocking the hell out of a pair of mutton chops and hamming up every scene in the best way.