A new horror movie about Medusa is currently in production. Janelle Monáe is partnering with Akela Cooper to create Don’t Look, a new adaptation of the Greek Myth.
Monáe is Working Closely with Universal Studios
According to an interview done by The Hollywood Reporter, Monáe is working with Universal to bring the vision to life. She’s also using her own film company, Wondaland Pictures, to launch the new film.
Monáe confirmed that Don’t Look will embrace more original ideas and be a play on the classic Medusa story. Her team is working on the script, and no official release date has been announced. Monáe is a big fan of horror and also had a role in Antebellum, showing that the director has first-hand experience with such roles.
It will be interesting to see what route the movie takes regarding the portrayal of Medusa. In 1981’s Clash of the Titans, Medusa lurked in the darkness and punished the curiosity of those who dared look at her. Netflix’s Kaos takes a different approach, showing her as the head of the underworld bureau that processes the lost souls that enter. She’s a capable worker but is frustrated and underpaid, with complex, layered emotions.
In other verticals, like iGaming, Medusa is also a key theme. Slots that can be played at an online casino, like Medusa Dark Ages, lean more into the realm of gothic horror. The slot game features stone Medusa heads, which is a reference to the Gorgon, who turns people to stone when they make eye contact with her. Other symbols in the game include Greek helmets, which represent the soldiers who often tried to enter her domain.
In music, bands like Blue Medusa, a heavy metal band with Alissa White-Gluz at the helm, show how Medusa has been alienated, and in some ways is a victim of society.
Medusa is as Culturally Relevant as Ever
Medusa has been seen as everything, from a feminist icon to a grotesque monster. As the idea of Medusa changes, many open doors can be explored. As Monáe has such a keen interest in horror, it will be interesting to see whether she decides to go down the route of her being alienated and set on revenge, or whether it will feature her as a Gorgon set on punishing people who dare to enter her lair.
The recent casting call has helped to shed some light on what to expect. Based on the recent casting calls, it’s possible to draw some ideas as to what direction Monáe could be taking. We know that the film will be about how the gods blamed her, with central themes like grief and betrayal. How much of a part this will play in the overall storyline, however, is yet to be seen.
Based on the casting data, it’s possible that we will see the movie released in 2028. Universal has quite the schedule for 2026 and 2027, with movies including Obsession, Insidious: Out of the Further, and Other Mommy all queued for release.
