Rob Zombie’s The Munsters movie is quickly gaining traction with further casting and costume announcements, which include his own distinctive touch compared to the original series. The Munsters originally ran as a CBS sitcom from 1964-1966, with its short-lived airtime leaving a lasting legacy as an iconic suburbian satire. The series followed classic Universal monsters, aptly named the Munster family, enjoying a benignly macabre family life in modern-day American suburbia, led by Herman (Frankenstein’s monster), his wife Lily (vampire), and her father Grandpa (Transylvania’s Count Dracula).
While none have managed to fully recapture the legacy and following of the original show, The Munsters has had several reboot attempts for film and television over the years. NBC came close to a modern-day reboot titled Mockingbird Lane that starred Jerry O’Connell as Herman, but the 2012 pilot was never picked up for a series. Now that Halloween (2005) horror director Rob Zombie is at the helm of NBC’s official Munsters reboot movie, the prospects of properly recapturing the macabre magic of the original series are bright.
The specific plot elements of Rob Zombie’s Munsters movie are still under wraps, but the director has been fairly open with his reimagining of the iconic set, costumes, characters, and props. Since Zombie was first announced to take over the upcoming Peacock movie, he’s generously kept fans in the loop through social media by sharing sneak-peeks of his costume designs, blueprints, and casting choices. Zombie revealed a snapshot of what fans have long been waiting for: The new Munsters actors on set in full costume. As Rob Zombie reimagines the iconic Munster family, here’s how the new cast and costumes for Herman, Lily, and Grandpa compare to the original series.
The Munsters’ father and husband Herman, a suburban version of the classic Frankenstein’s monster, was originally portrayed by sitcom actor Fred Gwynne. As a 6’5” slim actor with a knack for comedy, Gwynne was the perfect choice to play Frankenstein’s monster after Boris Karloff's iconic portrayals. Zombie is expected to craft a darker reimagining of the series, so it’s no surprise that he recruited frequent collaborator and horror actor Jeff Daniel Phillips to take over the role. While Philips surely meets the height qualifications, his casting suggests a different take on Herman’s humor considering the actor isn’t known for his comedy resumé. Interestingly, it isn’t the first time Phillips has portrayed a character named Herman for Zombie, having played Herman “Whitey” Salvador in The Lords of Salem movie. As far as Zombie’s new Herman costuming goes, it stays fairly true to the original. Phillips’ Herman is shown wearing the iconic Frankenstein’s monster head cap, classic black suit, and short black hair. Depending on the touches Phillips brings to the role, Zombie’s Herman appears to be an accurate reimagining.
Unsurprising to Rob Zombie fans, the director has cast his wife and frequent leading lady Sheri Moon Zombie in the role of Lily Munster. Lily was originally portrayed by Yvonne De Carlo, who was known for her successful film career and notoriety as a dramatic and comedic ‘50s movie star. The Munsters crafted Lily in the light of De Carlo by giving her the demeanor and attributes of a glamorous film star, but with the nuances of comedy and otherness that were prominent in her filmography. Considering Sheri Moon Zombie comes to the table with a different relationship to Munsters fans as a genre-specific horror actress, Lily’s new characterization seems to be crutching more on the macabre sentiments and scares than laughs. As for costuming, Zombie is staying true to the original Munsters by giving Moon a split black-and-white hairstyle and elegant dark gowns.
The Munsters’ Grandpa is fairly hard to get wrong, and Zombie’s version seems to capture his zany energy in the proper light. Zombie’s Grandpa is portrayed by well-versed actor Daniel Roebuck, whose credits include plenty of genres from drama to comedy to Zombie’s horror movies. Donning Grandpa’s classic cape and trademark feathered white-streaked hair, Rob Zombie’s Grandpa looks fairly reminiscent of the original, albeit with a new handlebar mustache. Roebuck also brings more age for his The Munsters character, portraying Grandpa at age 58 compared to Al Lewis’s original 41 years.
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