The popularity of a shared universe is undeniable. Disney has their Marvel Cinematic Universe, while Warner Bros. has the DC Extended Universe. Both studios use comic book source materials to expand and grow their superhero franchises. This doesn’t leave much for other studios. But in the case for Universal, they have their classic monster movies at their disposal. So, in order to keep up with the competition, they are launching a shared Monsters universe, and it will all kick off with Alex Kurtzman‘s The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella (Kingsman: The Secret Service, Star Trek Beyond)
The film’s first trailer dropped during Sunday night’s episode of The Walking Dead. Check it out here below.
Let’s face it, as long as these shared universe stories are popular, more and more studios will devise a way to create them. However, as long as the right people are hired, I think they could work. Sure there will be a few films that fail to meet our high expectations, but a shared universe involving those classic monsters could be interesting if done the right way. And so far, it looks like they are off to a great start.
It’s interesting to see that half of the trailer alone is dedicated to the plane sequence, which sees Tom Cruise go through the ringer as the aircraft begins its spiraling crash. We do get to hear a little bit from Russell Crowe‘s Dr. Jekyll character saying “Welcome to a new world of gods and monsters,” and asking Cruise’s character to cordially greet Princess Ahmanet (Boutella). Based on that, it seems as though Dr. Jekyll will be the Nick Fury of this franchise. But that is just speculation.
The film also stars Annabelle Wallis, Jake Johnson, and Courtney B. Vance, and opens in theaters on June 9, 2017.
Here’s the official plot 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 civilization: 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).
Image Gallery
[Images courtesy of Universal Pictures. Used with permission.]
Trailer
[Source: Universal Pictures YT]
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