After the monumental success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, studios worldwide scrambled to replicate its triumph. Most endeavors floundered, and the concept of cinematic universes seemed to be on shaky ground. Universal's initial foray into a shared universe with the Dark Universe in 2017 ended in failure, but the studio seems to be giving it another try with the release of Abigail.

The film industry has historically followed profitable trends, and with the superhero genre showing signs of fatigue, studios are eager to discover the next big thing. The emergence of streaming platforms has added a new layer of unpredictability to the game. In this pursuit, studios may opt for familiar, albeit outdated, concepts, potentially repeating past mistakes.

What is Abigail based on?

Abigail, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, is a modern reinterpretation of 'Dracula's Daughter,' a sequel to Universal Pictures' 'Dracula.' While 'Dracula's Daughter' has loose ties to Bram Stoker's work, the narrative connection to 'Carmilla' adds complexity to its origins. Although Abigail shares a premise with 'Dracula's Daughter,' it is primarily an adaptation of a classic Universal Monster movie.

What was the Dark Universe?

Universal's venture into the Dark Universe stemmed from its iconic horror films of the 1930s, which later evolved into a shared universe concept. Following Marvel's success, Universal sought to reinvigorate its classic monsters as superheroes. However, the initial entry, 'The Mummy,' was a critical and financial disaster, leading to the swift demise of the Dark Universe. Despite ambitious plans for subsequent films, the brand never extended beyond 'The Mummy.'

Is Abigail part of the Dark Universe?

Universal asserts that its recent monster movies, including Abigail, are unrelated to the abandoned Dark Universe. 'The Invisible Man,' 'Renfield,' and Abigail are standalone adaptations with distinct creative approaches. While there are no indications of a shared universe, speculation regarding a potential revival of the Dark Universe persists, although the studio's current focus seems to be on individualized horror films.