Credit: DisneyAlthough things are still in the developmental process, there’s no denying the excitement for Universal’s upcoming Epic Universe. As the realm of the Dark Universe seems to be its biggest draw, Universal Studios might have just struck another nail in Disney’s coffin by contracting one of its biggest names.
If you’re an Oingo Boingo fan or have ever seen the marvelous films of Tim Burton, you know the name, Danny Elfman. Elfman has been a composer for film, music, and TV shows for decades, but his next project takes his eccentric and gothic tastes to the next level as he sets the musical score to Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Wolf Man.
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This isn’t the first time Danny Elfman has utilized his talents for theme park attractions either, as his compositions have been used for Haunted Mansion Holiday and Mystic Manor at Tokyo DisneySea. However, the composer confirmed that he is Disney for Universal Studios as he composes the monstrous world of the Dark Universe.
Danny Elfman and the The Dark Universe
Confirmed by the man himself!! Danny Elfman will be composing the music for Dark Universe at Epic Universe!! #DarkUniverse #EpicUniverse pic.twitter.com/e6ckKiCSWD
— Geo Zaroff (@GeoZaroff) June 24, 2024
@GeoZaroff shared Elfman’s official Instagram story, which confirmed Elfman’s involvement. On his socials, the composer shared,
“The Universal Monsters have always been such a big part of my life. I’m grateful and honored to have been chosen to compose the music for the new Dark Universe in @universalorlando. I can’t wait to go!!!”
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Given his experience composing for horror films like Beetlejuice, (1988), The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993), Sleepy Hollow (1999), and even writing the score for Universal’s remake of The Wolfman (2010), it’s clear he’s more than cut out for the job. However, his role might not just be behind the scenes.
Even More Monstrous
Deadline shared the official reveal of Universal’s Dark Universe’s inner workings, but it goes far beyond just a werewolf-infested roller coaster. The report describes some of the monsters fans will meet in the ruined village of Darkmoor in great detail, including this curious passage.
“The Monsters of Darkmoor are greet everyone from kids to adults in this photo op. The rogues gallery includes Dr. Victoria Frankenstein’s Monster and the alluring Bride of Frankenstein. Guests will also encounter other unusual inhabitants roaming the village, including Victoria Frankenstein’s servant, Ygor, The Invisible Man, an eccentric monster hunter and a talented musician who regales guests with songs and tales related to classic monster stories.”
Could Elfman have also inspired this new adaptation of the Invisible Man? “An eccentric monster hunter and a talented musician who regales guests with songs and tales related to classic monster stories” certainly sounds right in his wheelhouse.
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At the rate things are being teased for the Dark Universe, Disney’s long-rumored villain park already has some steep competition waiting in the wings. Now that the man who gave Jack Skellington his spooky shrieks and songs is playing for the other team, it’ll take a monstrous miracle for the Happy Haunts at the Magic Kingdom to square up with Dracula and his horde at Dark Universe.
Has Universal swiped one of Disney’s biggest players? Tell Inside the Magic what you think in the comments below!