Skip to main content

Three creature features are scheduled to join Universal’s Dark Universe

dark universe monster movies creature from black lagoon
Universal Pictures unveiled its plans for a Dark Universe of films based on classic monster properties last month, and now a few more monstrous names have been added to the list of upcoming projects in the studio’s cinematic universe.

Joining this week’s The Mummy and future films based on The Bride of FrankensteinThe Invisible Man, Dracula, and the story of Frankenstein’s monster will be remakes of The Creature From the Black LagoonPhantom of the Opera, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, according to The Mummy director and producer Alex Kurtzman.

Related Videos

Speaking with entertainment news site Fandom, Kurtzman revealed the trio of projects that will expand the studio’s Dark Universe slate in the coming years. The monster-fueled cinematic universe will officially kick off with this week’s premiere of The Mummy, which will be followed by a remake of Bride of Frankenstein in 2019.

“There are characters within those films that can grow and expand and maybe even spin off,” he explained. “I think that digging into deep mythologies about monsters around the world is fair game for us … and connecting the monsters that we know to some surprising monsters could also be really interesting.”

Uniting all of the Dark Universe movies will be the mysterious organization Prodigium, tasked with investigating, monitoring, and, if necessary, eliminating threats of a monstrous nature around the world. The agency will be introduced in The Mummy along with its leader, Russell Crowe’s Dr. Jekyll, who has some monstrous attributes of his own.

Although there has been little word on the films beyond The Mummy, the current plan is to have Oscar-winning director Bill Condon (Beauty and the Beast) helm Bride of Frankenstein from a script penned by David Koepp (War of the WorldsJurassic Park). Johnny Depp and Javier Bardem have also been announced in the roles of The Invisible Man and Frankenstein’s monster, respectively, although there is no word on when the two actors’ solo films will hit theaters. Tom Cruise’s mercenary character in The Mummy is also expected to have a recurring role throughout the shared universe.

“I’d love to bring Michael Fassbender in, I’d love to bring Jennifer Lawrence in, I’d love to see Charlize Theron in there, Angelina Jolie…” Kurtzman  said when asked about other actors he would like to see lead some of the studio’s creature features.”

The Mummy hits theaters this weekend, with Bride of Frankenstein currently scheduled to premiere February 14, 2019.

Editors' Recommendations

The Mandalorian season 3, episode 5 release date, time, channel, and plot
Din, Grogu, and the Armoror stand in the desert in The Mandalorian.

After a two-year hiatus that seemed to last forever, The Mandalorian has triumphantly returned to the small screen. The groundbreaking show proved the Star Wars franchise can work just as well, if not better, on the small screen than in movie theatres, and helped pave the way for successful follow-up series like The Book of Boba Fett, Obi-Wan Kenobi, and the superb Andor.

Because it has been a while, audiences may have forgotten certain specific details about the show or just where and when to watch it. Digital Trends is here with a handy guide to The Mandalorian season 3, including when you can watch episode 5, plus plot details, trailers, and much more.
When does episode 5 of The Mandalorian season 3 release?

Read more
The best shows on Peacock right now
Betty Gilpin dressed as a nun, walking as people look on, looking determined and angry in a scene from Mrs. Davis on Peacock.

With new shows like Poker Face and old favorites like Saturday Night Live, Peacock is really catching the attention of TV lovers who appreciate the breadth of content that's available through the streaming service. There are always new shows coming to Peacock as well, like the exciting drama Mrs. Davis, so the selection consistently feels fresh and exciting.

If you have been wondering where you can watch your favorite sitcoms, dramas, thrillers, and comedies from the past, you might be pleasantly surprised to find the titles on Peacock. Have a look through this selection of the best shows on Peacock right now to discover what the streaming service has to offer.

Read more
10 most popular Netflix TV shows of all time
Regé-Jean Page and Phoebe Dynevor in a scene from Bridgerton.

In 2012, Netflix offered its first exclusive content with the Norwegian crime series Lilyhammer starring The Sopranos' Steven Van Zandt. One year later, House of Cards became the first television series produced by Netflix. In the 10 years since House of Cards, Netflix has produced over 1,500 original series globally.

In the beginning, House of Cards was the streamer's premier television series. However, the trajectory of Netflix changed with the release of Stranger Things in 2016. With four seasons over seven years, Stranger Things is now one of the most recognizable television properties in the world. In 2022 alone, Netflix had a string of hits that included as Wednesday, Inventing Anna, and the return of Bridgerton. In the history of the service, what are the most popular shows of all time?

Read more