There’s no doubt whatsoever that many eyes rolled at the news that Universal was going to attempt to turn their classic monsters into a shared universe similar to what Marvel has been doing, beginning with a reboot of The Mummy. But when a name like Tom Cruise comes into the picture, eyebrows will no doubt raise above those previously rolled eyeballs…making for some truly silly faces others will giggle at.

It’s being reported that Cruise has entered into talks for a role in the new Mummy flick, which makes things much more interesting. Who would Cruise play? That’s unclear at the moment…but given that this is a shared universe, you can expect that it would be a multi-picture deal that would see him showing up in other movies that will follow The Mummy centering on Wolf Man, Dracula, and more.

The Mummy is set to be directed by Alex Kurtzman, writer of J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek movies, Transformers, and The Amazing Spider-Man, just to name a few. Kurtzman will also produce alongside Chris Morgan, who is helping Kurtzman to develop the shared universe.

What story the first movie of this shared universe will tell is unknown at the moment, but it is said that it will be a modern day story as opposed to the recent Mummy movies starring Brendan Fraser that were set in the early to mid-20th century.

According to the report Cruise wouldn’t be a producer if a deal is worked out, but he will be heavily involved in developing the property (or properties?).

When all of this could come together is still to be determined. Cruise is obviously a busy man, currently filming the Jack Reacher sequel Jack Reacher: Never Go Back. He was set to collaborate with Doug Liman once again for a film titled Luna Park, But with Liman now said to be in on the X-Men spinoff Gambit with Channing Tatum, Cruise should have some time before work on Mission: Impossible 6, which is currently planned to film in August, gets going. He also has the possible Edge of Tomorrow sequel in his future.

[Source: Variety]