Universal Studios certainly knows its classic monsters, as demonstrated by its releases from the ’30s through the ’50s, with such hits as The Mummy, Frankenstein, Dracula, The Wolf Man, and dozens of others. In 1999, Universal managed to bring one back to the mainstream with Stephen Sommers’ adventure film The Mummy, featuring Brendan Fraser. The film was a box office success, and two sequels followed before the series was laid to dormant rest. The tone of the movie (and its sequels) was much different than the originals, though. However, it appears that The Mummy is on its way to being resurrected again…and he could bring friends.
Alex Kurtsman, a veteran genre writer/producer, has been hired to direct a new version of The Mummy, which will actually be the first in a new series of films that will serve as canon for the company’s classic monster franchises. Think the Marvel universe, but with Dracula, Frankenstein and company.
Kurtzman, in final negotiations for the film, is said to want to take it in an action/adventure/horror style, similar to what the 1999 film did, but with a unique approach. It won’t be connected with any previous chapters from the series, but instead it will be a fresh start. Universal also has its eye on other revivals of classic monsters, and with the success of Marvel films tying multiple films together, perhaps reviving the heyday of Universal horror with many films sharing monsters.
“Over the course of developing The Mummy, Alex has demonstrated such clarity and passion about this character and mythology,” said Jeff Kirschenbaum, Universal co-president of production. “He knows why The Mummy has fascinated us for so long and how to bring that into an inventive, incredible new adventure. It became obvious that he is the perfect choice to be not only one of the narrative engineers of this new vision, but its director as well.”
Kurtzman will also co-produce the film alongside Fast & Furious veteran Chris Morgan.
The Mummy is set to arrive in theaters in April 2016, barring any delays.
What do you think? Are you ready for a new Mummy, or do you prefer the Nineties version? Are you ready to see a revival of the Universal monsters, and which ones would you like to see most?
Source: Digital Trends
