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'''Dark Universe''' is an American film studio founded on 2017 by [[Akiva Goldsman]] and owned by [[Universal Pictures]]. It produces [[Reboot (fiction)|rebooted]] versions of the [[Universal Monsters]] franchise.
'''Dark Universe''' is an American film studio founded on 2017 by [[Akiva Goldsman]] and owned by [[Universal Pictures]]. It produces [[Reboot (fiction)|rebooted]] versions of the [[Universal Monsters]] franchise.

Revision as of 17:35, 4 September 2017

Dark Universe
Company typeSubsidary
IndustryHorror films based on the Universal Monsters franchise
Founded2017; 7 years ago (2017)
FounderAkiva Goldsman
Headquarters
United States
OwnerAkiva Goldsman
ParentUniversal Pictures
Websitewww.darkuniverse.com

Dark Universe is an American film studio founded on 2017 by Akiva Goldsman and owned by Universal Pictures. It produces rebooted versions of the Universal Monsters franchise.

The first film produced by the studio The Mummy, directed by Alex Kurtzman and starring Tom Cruise, was released in June 2017.

Background

In October 2013, Roberto Orci spoke to IGN, hinting that both The Mummy and Van Helsing reboots will have a shared universe.[1] New developments were made in July 2014, when Universal announced that they had tapped Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan to develop all classic movie monsters, which include Frankenstein's monster, Count Dracula, The Wolf Man, Gill-man, The Invisible Man, Bride of Frankenstein, and The Mummy.[2] In December 2014, Universal hired Jay Basu to write an undisclosed film for the shared universe.[3] Universal's chairman, in a November interview, stated that the new films would be more action-adventure based rather than horror, and would be set in a present-day setting in order to "reimagine and reintroduce them to a contemporary audience."[4] In August 2015, Alex Kurtzman announced the new film series will be a mix of horror and other fictional genres.[5]

In May 2017, the film series' title, logo (made by Weta Digital) and theme (composed by Danny Elfman) were announced. Bride of Frankenstein is scheduled to be the next film in the series, directed by Bill Condon and set for release on February 14, 2019.[6]

Released films

The Mummy (2017)

Main article: The Mummy (2017 film)

In 2012, Universal announced plans to reboot The Mummy. Jon Spaihts would write the reboot, and Sean Daniel, who produced the previous three Mummy films, would return as producer.[7] In December, it was stated that The Mummy would be a new take on the mythology, returning to its roots as a horror film, and set in the present day.[8] On February 14, 2013, Universal set The Hunger Games writer Billy Ray to write a competitive draft for The Mummy reboot against Spaihts' written script.[9] Len Wiseman was announced as the film's director on September 24, 2012,[10] but left the project in July 2013 due to schedule conflicts.[11] In September, it was reported that Mama director Andrés Muschietti was in talks to direct the film.[12] However, he dropped out in May 2014, due to creative differences.[13] On November 27, 2013, Universal set the film for an April 22, 2016, release.[14] Alex Kurtzman was set to direct the film by the end of the month.[15] The next day, the film's release date was pushed back to June 24, 2016, when Universal announced the April 22 for its new film The Huntsman: Winter's War.[16] In April 2015, the studio announced that reboot has been delayed for March 24, 2017.[17]

In November 2015, Variety reported that Tom Cruise was in talks to star in the reboot.[18] In December 2015, The Hollywood Reporter announced that Sofia Boutella was in talks for the female lead role in the reboot.[19] In January 2016, it was announced that Cruise and Boutella will star in reboot with a June 9, 2017, release date.[20] Annabelle Wallis will appear in the film, as confirmed through set photos. In March 2016, Variety and The Hollywood Reporter reported that Jake Johnson was in talks for a role of as a member of the military.[21][22] Between March 14 and April 15, Marwan Kenzari and Courtney B. Vance were also cast for unspecified roles.[23][24][25] On May 2016, it was announced that Russell Crowe will portray Dr. Henry Jekyll, the main character from Robert Louis Stevenson's Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde.[26] The film began production in April 2016 located in Oxford, England.[27]

Upcoming films

Bride of Frankenstein (2019)

In November 2015, The Hollywood Reporter reported that the studio is looking at Angelina Jolie for the main role in the reboot of Bride of Frankenstein.[28][29] In December 2015, David Koepp was hired to write the script for the shared universe's version of Bride of Frankenstein.[30] In July 2016, it was announced that actor Javier Bardem was in talks to play Frankenstein's monster after passing on the role of Dr. Henry Jekyll in the reboot of The Mummy. Universal has not yet announced in which film the character will make his debut appearance.[31][32] In October 2016, Koepp stated that the script he has written is one of his best. He also revealed that the film will be a liberation story, with the Bride of Frankenstein being very intelligent for this version of the character.[33] In May 2017, the shared universe's official title, theme and its composer, the cast, a statement on the creative team and future of the franchise was released with an official website. Bill Condon will direct Bride of Frankenstein with its release announced as February 14, 2019.

Future

In November 2016, Kurtzman stated that the studio has ideas for various rebooted versions of "their monsters", and that he helped the studios' production team with creating updated designs for each of the characters. Each of these individual monsters were stated to be the focus of stand-alone installments first, before any crossovers would occur, with Kurtzman stating: "There might be reasons for this character and that character to come together, because the story tells us that's what the story wants. The story is what drives the choice. And if down the line, there's a big reason to bring them together, then great. But I promise, we're not starting there."[34] In March 2017, producer Chris Morgan revealed that the studio is in the process of deciding the chronological order of each of the films, and when they will be released.[35]

Untitled Invisible Man film

In February 2016, it was announced that Johnny Depp will star in The Invisible Man reboot with Ed Solomon writing the film's script.[36][37]

Untitled Wolf Man film

In November 2014, Universal hired Aaron Guzikowski to write the shared universe's reboot of 1941's The Wolf Man and its 2010 version.[38] In December 2015, the film was announced to be released for March 30, 2018,[39][40] but in February 2016, it was delayed once again for April 13, 2018.[41] In June 2016, Deadline.com reported that Dwayne Johnson may star as the character.[42] In October 2016, it was reported that David Callaham was brought on board to re-write the script.[43]

Untitled Van Helsing film

On May 1, 2012, Universal signed on with Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman a two-year deal, which includes producing a reboot of Van Helsing, which would star Tom Cruise, through their K/O Paper Products banner.[44] In November 2015, Variety reported that Jon Spaihts and Eric Heisserer would write the script for the Van Helsing reboot, and that Cruise had left the film.[45] In July 2016, it was announced that Van Helsing will draw inspiration from George Miller's Mad Max.[46] In November 2016, it was announced that the film will be set in present day.[47] February of 2017, co-screenwriter Heisserer stated that the new take on the character would not have superpowers or abilities, but would be an every-day hero standing up to make a change.[48] Later that same month, he also said that the film will be as scary as possible, partially because a human character would be unnerved surrounded by supernatural creatures.[49] It was later announced that Dan Mazeau will be writing the screenplay for the film.[50]

Untitled Creature from the Black Lagoon film

In August 2015, a new reboot of Creature from the Black Lagoon was announced, with The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and The 5th Wave writer Jeff Pinkner being hired to write the film and actress Scarlett Johansson being offered to star in it.[51][52] In March 2017, Will Beall had signed on as screenwriter for the movie.[53] In June of 2017, producer Alex Kurtzman revealed that the Gill-man will be from the Amazon.[54]

Untitled Phantom of the Opera film

In June 5, 2017, Alex Kurtzman revealed that a film with a rebooted version of the character, based on The Phantom of the Opera (1925) and its 1943 remake, will be part of the series and is in development.[55][56]

Untitled Hunchback of Notre-Dame film

In June 5, 2017, Alex Kurtzman revealed that a film with a rebooted version of the character, based on Universal Pictures' first monster movies The Hunchback of Notre-Dame (1923), is in development.[55]

List of films and crew

Film U.S. release date Director(s) Screenwriter(s) Producer(s) Status
The Mummy June 9, 2017[57] Alex Kurtzman Jon Spaihts, Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet (screen story)
David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie and Dylan Kussman (screenplay) 		Alex Kurtzman, Chris Morgan, Sean Daniel and Sarah Bradshaw Released
Bride of Frankenstein February 14, 2019[6] Bill Condon David Koepp Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan Pre-production
Untitled Creature from the Black Lagoon film TBA TBA Jeff Pinkner (screen story)
Will Beall (screenplay) 		In development
Untitled Invisible Man film TBA TBA Ed Solomon
Untitled Van Helsing film TBA TBA Jon Spaihts and Eric Heisserer (screen story)
Dan Mazeau (screenplay) 		Alex Kurtzman, Roberto Orci and Chris Morgan
Untitled Wolf Man film TBA TBA Aaron Guzikowski and David Callaham Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan
Untitled Phantom of the Opera film TBA TBA TBA TBA Announced
Untitled Hunchback of Notre-Dame film TBA TBA TBA TBA

Reception

For more details on the reception of each film, see the "Reception" section on each film's article.

Box office performance

Film Box office gross All-time Ranking Budget Ref(s)
U.S. and Canada Other territories Worldwide U.S. and Canada Worldwide
The Mummy $64,413,670 $236,830,459 $301,244,129 $125 million [58]

Critical response

Film Rotten Tomatoes Metacritic
The Mummy 15% (181 reviews)[59] 34 (36 reviews)[60]

Tie-in material

Video games

Title Release date(s) Publisher(s) Notes Ref.
The Mummy: Prodigium Strike 2017 NBCUniversal Media, LLC Tie-in video games to The Mummy. [citation needed]
The Mummy: Dark Universe Stories Night School Studio [citation needed]
The Mummy Demastered WayForward [citation needed]

Discarded plans

Main article: Dracula Untold

On October 2014, it was announced that reshoots for Dracula Untold had taken place shortly after the end of production to allow the film to tie into the planned Universal Monsters cinematic universe, should the studio wish to include it.[61] Producer Alissa Phillips hoped that Luke Evans' character, Vlad "the Impaler" Țepeș III / Dracula, might have a cameo in The Mummy and also spoke of a potential sequel to Dracula Untold.[62] In an interview with IGN, director Gary Shore stated, "It's optional for them if they want to use it as that launching pad."[63] The Hollywood Reporter reported that the ending scenes of the film hinted that Dracula Untold could be included into the shared universe,[64] but these connections were subsequently downplayed.[65][66] In September 2016, Evans told LatinoReview that there had been talks and conversations on including his character in the shared universe.[67]

In December 2016, Kurtzman confirmed in an interview with Collider that Dracula Untold would not be part of the universe's continuity canon.[68] Featurette videos released by Universal Pictures for The Mummy have however confirmed the existence of vampires, alluding to Count Dracula.[69]

See also

References

  1. ^ Tilly, Chris (18 October 2013). "Bob Orci Discusses Van Helsing Reboot". ign.com. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  2. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (16 July 2014). "Universal Taps Alex Kurtzman, Chris Morgan To Relaunch Classic Movie Monster Franchises". deadline.com. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  3. ^ Jaafar, Ali (December 1, 2014). "Jay Basu Tapped By Universal To Aid Relaunch Of Classic Monster Movies". The.
  4. ^ McClintock, Pamela (November 13, 2014). "Executive Roundtable: 6 Studio Heads on China Plans, Superhero Overload, WB Layoffs, 'Fast & Furious' Future". Hollywood Reporter.
  5. ^ Hayes, Britt (August 10, 2015). "Len Wiseman Wrapping Up Deal To Helm Universal Reboot Of 'The Mummy'". Screen Crush. Retrieved August 24, 2015.
  6. ^ a b "Universal Pictures Unveils "Dark Universe" With Name, Mark and Musical Theme for its Classic Monsters Series of Films". PR Newswire. 22 May 2017.
  7. ^ Gallagher, Brian (4 April 2012). "'The Mummy' Gets Reboot from 'Prometheus' Writer Jon Spaihts". movieweb.com. Retrieved 6 March 2014.
  8. ^ "The Mummy Remake to Be an Epic Horror Movie Set in Present Day America". movieweb.com. 13 December 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  9. ^ Brodesser-Akner, Claude (14 February 2013). "Starving for Mummy Reboot, Universal Hires Hunger Games Screenwriter to Pen Competing Script". vulture.com. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  10. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (24 September 2012). "Len Wiseman Wrapping Up Deal To Helm Universal Reboot Of 'The Mummy'". deadline.com. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  11. ^ Sneider, Jeff (31 July 2013). "Director Len Wiseman Exits 'The Mummy' Reboot at Universal". thewrap.com. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  12. ^ Kit, Borys (13 September 2013). "'Mama' Director in Talks to Helm 'Mummy' Reboot for Universal". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  13. ^ Sneider, Jeff (6 May 2014). "'Mummy' Reboot Loses 'Mama' Director Andy Muschetti". thewrap.com. Retrieved 8 May 2014.
  14. ^ "Universal Dates 'The Mummy' Reboot For April 2016, Pushes 'Warcraft' Out Of 'Star Wars' Slot". deadline.com. 27 November 2013. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  15. ^ Kit, Borys (30 July 2014). "Alex Kurtzman to Direct 'The Mummy' Reboot". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  16. ^ Perlman, Jake (July 31, 2014). "Universal to release 'The Huntsman' in 2016, pushes back 'The Mummy'". ew.com. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  17. ^ Kit, McClintock, Borys, Pamela (April 23, 2015). "Universal's Monster Movies Get Delayed". Hollywood Reporter.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  18. ^ Kroll, Justin (November 24, 2015). "Tom Cruise in Talks to Star in 'The Mummy' Reboot (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  19. ^ Kit, Borys; Ford, Rebecca (December 8, 2015). "'Kingsman' Actress Sofia Boutella in Talks to Star in 'The Mummy' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  20. ^ Kroll, Justin (January 21, 2016). "Tom Cruise's 'The Mummy' Gets New Release Date". Variety.
  21. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 7, 2016). "Tom Cruise's 'Mummy' Reboot Casts Annabelle Wallis". Variety.
  22. ^ Kit, Borys (March 8, 2016). "'New Girl' Star Jake Johnson Joins Tom Cruise in 'The Mummy' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  23. ^ Kroll, Justin (March 14, 2016). "Marwan Kenzari Joins Tom Cruise in 'The Mummy' Reboot". Variety. Retrieved April 8, 2016.
  24. ^ Sneider, Jeff (April 15, 2016). "'People v. O.J.' Star Courtney B. Vance Joins Tom Cruise in 'The Mummy'". The Wrap.
  25. ^ Lussier, Germain (May 4, 2016). "Russell Crowe Could Be Joining the World of Universal Monsters". io9.
  26. ^ "The Mummy: Russell Crowe Confirms Dr Jekyll Casting". yahoo.com.
  27. ^ Larkin, Mike (April 7, 2016). "Back from the dead! Tom Cruise looks scared as he stands with Annabelle Wallis in first shots from set of new Mummy movie in Oxford". Daily Mail. Retrieved April 7, 2016.
  28. ^ Romano, Nick (November 23, 2015). "Universal Wants to Make Angelina Jolie the 'Bride of Frankenstein'". Collider.
  29. ^ Siegel, Tatiana (November 23, 2015). "Will 'By the Sea' Kill Hollywood "Favor" Movies?". The Hollywood Reporter.
  30. ^ Kroll, Justin (December 17, 2015). "'Bride of Frankenstein' Reboot to Be Written by David Koepp (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  31. ^ Lesnick, Silas (July 11, 2016). "Universal Monsterverse Eyes Javier Bardem as the New Frankenstein". Coming Soon.net.
  32. ^ Kroll, Justin (July 11, 2016). "Javier Bardem as Frankenstein: Universal Taps Actor for Monster Movies". Variety.
  33. ^ "What The Bride Of Frankenstein Reboot Will Be About, According To The Writer". October 29, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  34. ^ "Mummy: Alex Kurtzman Reveals the Universal Monsterverse!". December 4, 2016. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  35. ^ "What Universal's Monster Movie Plan Is After The Mummy". April 6, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  36. ^ Kit, Borys (February 9, 2016). "Johnny Depp to Star in Universal's 'Invisible Man' Reboot". The Hollywood Reporter.
  37. ^ Fleming Jr, Mike (February 9, 2016). "Johnny Depp To Star In 'The Invisible Man' At Universal". Deadline.
  38. ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (November 12, 2014). "Will Justin Lin Rev 'Fast & Furious' Finale?". Deadline.
  39. ^ Kit, Borys (November 12, 2014). "Universal's Classic Monster Universe Takes Shape With 'Fargo' and 'Prisoners' Writers". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 27, 2016.
  40. ^ Hayes, Britt (December 4, 2015). "Universal's 'Wolf Man' Remake Gets a Release Date". Screen Crush.
  41. ^ Feldberg, Isaac (February 17, 2016). "Universal Shifts Untitled Monster Movie Away From Ready Player One".
  42. ^ Fleming, Jr, Mike (June 22, 2016). "Dwayne Johnson Sets Jay Longino Graphic Novel 'Son Of Shaolin' At Sony". Deadline.
  43. ^ Ford, Rebecca (October 13, 2016). "Universal Taps 'The Expendables' Writer to Pen 'The Wolf Man' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter.
  44. ^ "Universal Signs Kurtzman And Orci; Pair Takes On 'The Mummy' And 'Van Helsing'". deadline.com. 1 May 2012. Retrieved 9 March 2014.
  45. ^ Kroll, Justin (November 14, 2015). "Universal's 'Van Helsing' Reboot Enlists Scribes Jon Spaihts and Eric Heisserer (EXCLUSIVE)". Vairety.
  46. ^ "How Mad Max Is Inspiring The New Van Helsing – CINEMABLEND". cinemablend.com. 19 July 2016.
  47. ^ "Screenwriter Jon Spaihts Teases His New, Modern Take on 'Van Helsing'". Collider.com. November 2, 2016.
  48. ^ "How The New Van Helsing Will Be Unlike Superhero Movies". February 12, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  49. ^ "Van Helsing Reboot Is 'As Scary As Possible'". February 20, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  50. ^ "Dan Mazeau to Write "Van Helsing" Movie for Universal's Classic Monsters Universe (Exclusive)". May 23, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  51. ^ "Amazing Spider-Man 2 Writer To Pen Creature From The Black Lagoon Remake". cinemablend.com. 2015-08-09. Retrieved 2015-08-09.
  52. ^ Chase, Lou. "TB Exclusive: Universal eyes Scarlett Johansson to star in 'Creature from the Black Lagoon'." Tracking Board, April 9, 2015.
  53. ^ Fleming Jr., Mike. "'Aquaman' Scribe Will Beall Diving Into Universal's 'Creature From The Black Lagoon'". Deadline. Retrieved 31 March 2017.
  54. ^ http://www.cinemablend.com/news/1667260/where-the-creature-from-the-black-lagoon-monster-comes-from-in-universals-dark-universe
  55. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference June2017 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  56. ^ http://screenrant.com/dark-universe-hunchback-of-notre-dame-phantom-of-the-opera/
  57. ^ Kroll, Justin (21 January 2016). "Tom Cruise's 'The Mummy' Gets New Release Date". Variety.
  58. ^ "The Mummy (2017)". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  59. ^ "The Mummy (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved June 8, 2017.
  60. ^ "The Mummy". Metacritic. CBS. Retrieved June 9, 2017.
  61. ^ Faraci, Devin (October 1, 2014). "DRACULA UNTOLD Will Fit Into Universal's Monsterverse". badassdigest.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  62. ^ "Producer Confirms that Dracula Untold is the First Part of the Universal Monsters Reboot". heyuguys.com. October 2, 2014. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  63. ^ KRUPA, DANIEL (October 2, 2014). "Is Dracula Untold a Part of the Shared Monsters Universe?". ign.com. Retrieved October 2, 2014.
  64. ^ Ford, Rebecca; Kit, Borys (October 15, 2014). "How 'Dracula Untold's' New Ending Could Tie Into Universal's Monster Universe". hollywoodreporter.com. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  65. ^ McClintock, Pamela (May 3, 2016). "Universal Stakes Out Release Date for Third Monster Movie". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved September 24, 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  66. ^ Mendelson, Scott (July 13, 2016). "What Universal Must Do To Sell Its Classic Monsters Universe". Forbes. Retrieved September 24, 2016. {{cite news}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |publisher= (help)
  67. ^ Douglas, Edward (September 27, 2016). "Exclusive: Luke Evans Talks about Dracula's Return in Universal's Monster Mash". LRM Online.
  68. ^ Trumbore, Dave (5 December 2016). "'The Mummy': Alex Kurtzman Confirms 'Dracula Untold' Is Not Canon, Teases Jekyll's Role". Collider.com. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
  69. ^ "New extended promo for The Mummy hints at Dracula's rising". April 4, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.

External links

Template:Universal Monsters

Category:Fictional universes Category:Universal Monsters film series Category:2017 introductions

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