Alex Kurtzman, Chris Morgan to reboot Universal’s classic monsters
Like Dr. Frankenstein in his arcane laboratory, Universal Pictures is on a mission to revive the dead.
The studio is embarking on a project to reboot its library of classic monster movies, with writer-producers Alex Kurtzman (of the “Star Trek” and “Amazing Spider-Man” franchises) and Chris Morgan (of the “Fast and Furious” series) spearheading the effort, The Times has confirmed. Deadline Hollywood first reported the news.
The new franchise will aim to breathe new life into such iconic characters as Frankenstein’s monster, Dracula, the Wolf Man, the Creature From the Black Lagoon, the Invisible Man, the Bride of Frankenstein and the Mummy. It will unite them in a shared mythology, similar to what Marvel and Disney have done with the blockbuster Marvel Cinematic Universe.
It’s unclear whether Kurtzman or Morgan will write the movies themselves, but they’re expected to start recruiting collaborators soon.
Universal originally approached Kurtzman and his longtime writing partner Roberto Orci to resurrect its classic monsters, but the two parted ways as a filmmaking duo in April.
Kurtzman and Morgan will first tackle a reboot of “The Mummy,” which is slated for release April 22, 2016.
Universal also has “Dracula Untold” opening in October, but that film predates the Kurtzman and Morgan-led reboot.
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