James Wan, the mastermind behind the Saw and The Conjuring films, is in negotiations to helm a remake of the 1954 monster feature Creature from the Black Lagoon. Wan has already made a presentation with Universal Pictures for the remake. They are now looking for a screenwriter to collaborate with Wan on the project.

With the remake, Wan is helming a film project for the first time since the merger of his Atomic Monster banner with Blumhouse. Wan last helmed Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, a superhero film set mostly under the ocean, and has since been looking to return to horror cinema. Ironically, this will also see him explore the world underwater, as the 1954 original is about a group of scientists who deal with an amphibious creature.

Wan will also produce Creature from the Black Lagoon, with his Atomic Monster partners Judson Scott and Michael Clear serving as executive producers.