M3GAN is a new horror thriller from Universal and Blumhouse, which is based on a story by Aquaman director James Wan, and according to new reports the movie will be going up against Sony’s Spider-Man Universe-based Kraven the Hunter on January 13th 2022, which could prove to be unlucky for some. The movie has also enlisted Atomic Monster and Divide/Conquer as part of its team and seems to be ready to fight for attention, as the date is also currently reserved for an unannounced Warner Bros. movie, making it a three-way face-off for audience attention.
The latest in a long line of horrors to come from the collaborative efforts of Blumhouse and Universal Pictures stars Get Out star Allison Williams as Gemma, “a brilliant roboticist at a toy company who uses artificial intelligence to develop M3GAN, a life-like doll programmed to be a kid’s greatest companion and a parent’s greatest ally. After unexpectedly gaining custody of her orphaned niece, Gemma enlists the help of the M3GAN prototype – a decision that has unimaginable consequences.”
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As well as providing the story, Wan also acts as producer on the movie along with Jason Blum. The cast also features Shang-Chi and the Legend of The Ten Rings star Ronny Chieng, and is directed by Gerard Johnstone from an Akela Cooper script. The film will be the latest release from Blumhouse’s Universal deal, which has previously scored hits with The Invisible Man, Split, Happy Death Day and Halloween Kills.
M3GAN Taps Into A Long-Standing Horror Subject Of Technology Gone Bad
Even since the 1940s, sci-fi horror movies have loved nothing better than an out-of-control robot, or artificial intelligence that becomes a little too intelligent for the good of its human counterparts. M3GAN will be the latest in a long line of movies and TV shows that tap into the fear of technology getting the better of humanity.
Over the last 5 decades, we have seen AI take over the future in the Terminator franchise, with machines becoming self-aware and going to war on the world, claim their freedom in both the movie and TV series of Westworld, and androids becoming undeterminable against humans in the Blade Runner. The fascination with what could go wrong if we push technology too far is one that is always current, and thanks to evolving technology in the real world, will always have some fresh “what if” horror to draw on. It has even been joked that Stephen King is always just one story away from writing about a killer toaster.
M3GAN will not only draw from the consequences of giving a machine too much advancement but combines it with the fear of a child in danger, which will hit home with any parent. From M3GAN’s description, it looks like the film will be giving Chucky a run for his money in that department. If there is one thing that both James Wan and Jason Blum know about, it is creating fear from very primal sources, and for those who are always looking for their next horror fix, then M3GAN could be one to mark your calendar for.
