Universal has a lot riding on The Mummy, as they’re hoping they can rival Disney/Marvel and Warner/DC’s interconnected coming book universes, with a monster movie universe. They’re kicking that off with The Mummy, and they’ve got some a-list talent to help them, with Tom Cruise starring. Russell Crowe is also due to show up as Dr. Jeykyll/Mr. Hyde.
Here’s the synopsis: ‘Tom Cruise headlines a spectacular, all-new cinematic version of the legend that has fascinated cultures all over the world since the dawn of civilisation: The Mummy.
‘Thought safely entombed in a tomb deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient princess (Sofia Boutella of Kingsman: The Secret Service and Star Trek Beyond) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension. From the sweeping sands of the Middle East through hidden labyrinths under modern-day London, The Mummy brings a surprising intensity and balance of wonder and thrills in an imaginative new take that ushers in a new world of gods and monsters.
Cruise is joined by a cast including Annabelle Wallis (upcoming King Arthur, television’s Peaky Blinders), Jake Johnson (Jurassic World), Courtney B. Vance (TV’s American Crime Story: The People V. O.J. Simpson) and Oscar® winner Russell Crowe (Gladiator). The creative team on this action-adventure event is led by director/producer Alex Kurtzman and producer Chris Morgan, who have been instrumental in growing some of the most successful franchises of the past several years—with Kurtzman writing or producing entries in the Transformers, Star Trek and Mission: Impossible series, and Morgan being the narrative engineer of the Fast & Furious saga as it has experienced explosive growth from its third chapter on. Sean Daniel, who produced the most recent Mummy trilogy, produces alongside Kurtzman and Morgan.’
The film is due out in June. Take a look at the new trailer below. [Read more…]
The main aim of this trailer seems to be to suggest that this will be a very different proposition than the Brendan Fraser starring Mummy movies. And with Tom Cruise starring and a full-on blockbuster tone, Universal is also trying its best to ensure that their plans for an interconnected monster movie universe get off to a good start.
Universal Studios is lacking superhero franchise it can build into an interconnected universe, but with a history of monster movies stretching back to the 1930s, they’re hoping they build a universe around those. To help they’ve lined up some big names, with Johnny Depp as the Invisible Man, Russell Crowe as Dr. Jeykll and Tom Cruise facing off against The Mummy.
There was major surprise when it was announced that Tom Cruise had attached himself to star in Universal’s planned reboot of The Mummy franchise. Part of the reason is was so unexpected is that few had thought such an established star would have either been sought or would have wanted to sign on. However, then it turned out Cruise wasn’t the only big name the studio was after for its interconnected monster universe, with Johnny Depp signing on to play The Invisible Man in a new, standalone movie.
A reboot of The Mummy franchise starring Tom Cruise always sounded a little odd, but it look like it’s happening, but the Mission: Impossible A-lister possibly being joined by Jake Johnson and Annabell Wallis, who are both in talks for the film.
Universal has big plans for an interconnected monster movie universe, and in order to help kick it off properly it seems they want a big name in the hope it’ll drawn in the crowds. 
Over the last few years Alex Kurtzman (along with Roberto Orci) has made a major career producer and writing the likes of Transformers and Star Trek. Now he’s moving towards directing and has already signed up helm Sony’s Amazing Spider-man spin-off, Venom.