The Evolution of the Wolf Man (ANIMATED)
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The Wolf Man is a Universal Monster Icon, but just how has he evolved throughout his franchise? Let’s find out now… animated!
warning: spoilers ahead!In “The Wolf Man” (1941) The Romani traveller, Bela, transforms into a German Shepard – uh whoops I mean a werewolf – that bites Larry Talbot and parishes in the scuffle. The autumn moon then triggers Larry to grow fur, beastly limbs, craggy skin, an animal snout, bottom canines, and a poofy pompadour. This Wolf Man wears a fully buttoned dress shirt and trousers – often depicted as green and brown in merchandise. He discovers silver weapons are fatal to werewolves and, later, after he attacks his own love interest, his father gives Larry a silver caning.
But in the follow-up, “Frankenstein Meets the Wolf Man” (1943), Talbot’s open casket is exposed to moonlight, bringing him back to life. His collar is unbuttoned, his limbs are hairier, his hairdo is groomed, and he has less detailed skin. Larry seeks Frankenstein’s heir in hopes of draining his life-force, but instead he has a showdown with Frankenstein’s Monster before washing away.
In “House of Frankenstein” (1944) he’s found frozen and is thawed out. His fur is thicker, his chest is more exposed, and he loses a shirt pocket. He’s promised a brain transplant into a non-werewolf infected body, but when his Wolf Man persona turns on his lady friend, she takes him down with a silver bullet.
In the sequel, “House of Dracula” (1945) he’s alive again. He has trimmed fur, a darker shirt with both pockets, and – in promo pics – a longer snout. This time he seeks out a doctor and undergoes a surgery that finally rids him of his lycanthropy.
Although, this ending is ignored in “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein” (1948) where Talbot again transforms. He has flat feet, darker skin, rounded facial features, and smoother hair. He also wears lighter pants and his shirt collar is longer. Larry tries to warn two dimwits about an oncoming monster mash, and in the climax, he chases Dracula into icy waters.
In “House of Terror” (1960), Lon Chaney Jr. sports a furrier Werewolf look, and in “Route 66” (1962) he dons less refined Wolf Man make-up and unites with Boris Karloff’s Frankenstein Monster.
“Werewolf of London” (1935), Universal’s precursor to “The Wolf Man”, features Dr. Wilfred Glendon dressed in fancy attire and he has a more subtle werewolf appearance. Although, unlike his successor, he lacks the ability to resurrect.
“Monster Squad’s” (1987) Wolfman has angular attributes, spaced-apart eyes, and a ripped white shirt. Despite exploding, he can piece himself back together. But he’s taken out in typical werewolf fashion…then sucked into a portal.
Although, those last few werewolves aren’t official Universal Wolf Men, so, well let’s move on...
“Monster Force” (1994), features Luke Talbot, Larry’s grandson. His Wolfman form lacks fur, but he’s beefier, has pointy ears, yellow eye whites, sharp upper teeth, and luscious locks. The original Werewolf, Bela – alive somehow – has a beastly werewolf form, and many werewolf helpers. In this show, Luke uses future-technology to fight monstrous threats.
In “Alvin and the Chipmunks Meet the Wolfman” (2000), Larry’s wolf form is muscle bound, with ginger fur, and a fully green outfit. He also has cat-like facial features, less poofy hair, and red irises. Theodore also becomes wolf-infected, although after biting Mr. Talbot, they’re both cured!
“Van Helsing’s” (2004) Velkan Valerious bursts out a large wolf form, with chocolate brown fur, an animalistic face, and golden eyes. The original werewolf with grey colouring and more animal-like eyes is also seen. Van Helsing takes down Velkan, but gets bit, transforming into a darker Wolfman with a beautiful mane. Using this ability, he goes after Dracula. Then, after the fight, he’s given an antidote.
In the 2010 Wolfman remake, Larry unleashes a feral Wolfman with massive claws, elongated feet, pointed ears, yellow eyes and fancy attire stained with blood. Sir John, Larry’s father, is himself an aging Wolfman, who retains his icy blue eyes and opts for less clothing. In flashbacks, a Gollum-esque wolf boy who first bit Sir John is seen. Father and son have a wolf on wolf battle, with Lawrence coming out the victor…only for his true love to, of course, shoot him with a silver bullet…
In the 2025 reboot, Wolf Man, Blake Lovell gets scratched by an unknown creature. He loses his hair, gains ghastly features, has a massive underbite, bright eyes, and patchy body fur. Sometime prior, Blake’s father, Grady, became the unknown scraggly-haired creature. Blake takes out his dad, then, despite losing a foot, Blake hunts his family. But…his wife easily puts this moon-less ManWolf down.
The recent Dark Universe theme park opts for a tweaked 2010 Wolfman design, with pink skin, a blue vest, darker claws, and a less prominent snout.
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The Wolf Man is a Universal Monster Icon, but just how has he evolved throughout his franchise? Let’s find out now… animated!