Jolie, Johnson approached to join Dark Universe

UNIVERSAL Pictures is courting Angelina Jolie and Dwayne Johnson over its monster-themed cinematic franchise project, Dark Universe, which is to include fi lms about The Mummy, Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, Wolfman and Dr. Jekyll.

June sees Universal Pictures’ reboot of “The Mummy” arrive in cinemas, kickstarting a new era of monster movies from the studio.

In anticipation of its debut, The Hollywood Reporter brings news that Universal is making moves to recruit star headliners Jolie and Johnson for an expanding roster of A-list talent.

Already involved in the Dark Universe are Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella, who co-star in “The Mummy,” as well as Russell Crowe, Johnny Depp, and Javier Bardem.

Crowe, who is also introduced to the Dark Universe through “The Mummy,” is to head up an undated “Dr Jekyll,” with Johnny Depp leading “The Invisible Man” (2020) and Javier Bardem doing the same for “Frankenstein’s Monster” (TBA.)

Jolie is thought to be in the frame for “Bride of Frankenstein,” whose February 2019 date means it’s next on the Dark Universe release calendar after “The Mummy,” though THR cautions that negotiations are yet to begin.

Johnson previously appeared in Universal’s 2001 release “The Mummy Returns” — in fact, it was his motion picture debut — as well as 2002 prequel “The Scorpion King.” Absent from 2017’s version of “The Mummy,” Johnson is being linked with the title role in a new “Wol fman.” — Relaxnews