In 1930s Chicago, Frankenstein enlists Dr. Euphronius to help him create a companion. Together, they bring a murdered woman back to life as the Bride, leading to romance, attracting police attention, and triggering significant social change.

The Bride!” marks Universal’s ambitious effort to breathe new life into the Classic Monsters saga, specifically through a fresh take on the “Bride of Frankenstein” story. This character has become iconic since her first appearance in the 1935 film, capturing audiences with her distinctive look and becoming an LGBTQ+ icon. Amidst a backdrop of secrecy surrounding the production, recent revelations have provided a glimpse into the dark, updated vision that Maggie Gyllenhaal is bringing to this classic tale. The release of the first images from the movie has sparked excitement, showing Christian Bale transformed into Frankenstein’s monster with a contemporary twist, hinting at the film’s modern and brooding aesthetic.

This project represents Universal’s most concerted effort to reinvigorate its legendary monster franchise since the ill-fated Universal Dark Universe. This ambitious cinematic universe aimed to interconnect various monster tales, including Dracula, The Wolfman, and The Mummy, with “The Bride of Frankenstein” remake being a key component. However, the Dark Universe’s plans were abruptly canceled following the disappointing reception of 2017’s “The Mummy.”

Despite these setbacks, “The Bride!” has been resurrected and is moving forward once more, with a stellar cast beginning to take shape. Christian Bale, an Oscar winner known for “The Dark Knight,” is set to portray the misunderstood Frankenstein’s monster. He’s joined by Jessie Buckley in the role of the Bride, with additional support from talents such as Peter Sarsgaard, Penélope Cruz, and recently, multi-time Oscar nominee Annette Bening.