Top names to appear in “Dark Universe.”
Will ‘Dark’ matter?
Universal recently confirmed its plans for an interlocking mega-franchise of monster movies called-Dark Universe. The latest stab at Marvel-type crossover magic begins this week with the latest reboot of “The Mummy.”
Those interested in this rewrapping of “Mummy” had to be suspicious when the cast listed, alongside Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella (as the Mummy), Russell Crowe as Dr. Henry Jekyll.
The studio’s May 22 press release helpfully explains, “Dark Universe films are connected by a mysterious multinational organization known as Prodigium. Led by the enigmatic and brilliant Dr. Henry Jekyll, Prodigium’s mission is to track, study and — when necessary — destroy evil embodied in the form of monsters in our world.”
The enterprise has only one other release date so far: Bill Condon’s “Bride of Frankenstein” is due to drop Valentine’s Day 2019, after Universal scrubbed a 2018 date for an unspecified “Dark” title.
The studio also has confirmed Javier Bardem as Frankenstein’s Monster and Johnny Depp as the Invisible Man, though titles, writers, directors and dates for their premiere projects were not announced. The recent “Dracula Untold,” by the way, no longer seems to figure into these plans.
To see a Dark Universe marketing link promoting the “Prodigium” organization: https://tinyurl.com/l9rjks3 (it’s a loop; play it once and you’re done)
Trivia question
Boris Karloff played the title role in Universal’s 1932 “The Mummy.” But what “Star Wars,” “Lord of the Rings” and James Bond co-star played the role in the 1959 “The Mummy”?
A little bit of poison
Speaking of cinematic universes, if you thought Spider-Man’s entry into the Marvel Cinematic Universe meant Sony had abandoned its separate Spidey-related franchise plans, think again.
Though the “Sinister Six” spinoff idea went down with “Amazing Spider-Man 2’s” underwhelming reception, Sony is starting its own “Marvel Universe.”
This one begins with “Venom,” one of the most popular Spidey villains/antiheroes (who appeared in “Spider-Man 3”). Ruben Fleischer (“Zombieland”) is set to direct Tom Hardy. Hardy plays Eddie Brock, who bonds with the alien symbiote known as Venom.
“Venom” reportedly will be rated R. “Logan” and “Deadpool” were well-received R-rated Marvel-based movies, largely because they were true to the characters.
Sony also is working on a “Men in Black”/“21 Jump Street” crossover, a new “Ghostbusters” series of crossovers and yet another comic universe — this one from Valiant’s line, including “Bloodshot” and “Harbinger.”
Change by tragedy
Director Zack Snyder has stepped away from reshoots and post-work on “Justice League” after the death of his daughter.
Autumn Snyder died in March, at age 20, of suicide. The director and his producer-wife, Deborah, are taking time to cope with the tragedy.
“Avengers” helmer Joss Whedon, who had already jumped from Marvel to DC with the recent announcement he would write and direct “Batgirl,” has taken over for Snyder.
Remembering Roger Moore
Sir Roger Moore, the third “official” James Bond, died May 23, of cancer, at age 89. Moore’s Bond was a major departure from Sean Connery’s more threatening take on the super spy; his 007 was better known for his quips and gadgets than as Her Majesty’s “blunt instrument.” But Moore’s films, starting with “Live and Let Die” and culminating in “A View to a Kill,” were consistently among the series’ highest grossers.
Moore, who had nearly 100 acting credits, was knighted for “services to charity” — especially his longstanding support of UNICEF.
Trivia answer
That would be Christopher Lee (Moore’s co-star in “The Man With the Golden Gun”).
To see a clip of Lee in the 1959 “The Mummy”: https://tinyurl.com/kgtmxeq.