Next week, Universal will launch their Dark Universe franchise, a new series of films reviving the classic movie monsters from their back catalog. The studio has really put themselves out there, formally announcing the project and lining up big-name stars like Tom Cruise (who leads “The Mummy“), Johnny Depp (The Invisible Man), Russell Crowe (Dr. Jekyll), and Javier Bardem (Frankenstein) for roles. If that’s not enough, they’re hoping to hire more A-list talent.
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THR reveals that both Dwayne Johnson and Angelina Jolie are being sought for roles in the expanding universe of films. The “Baywatch” star is being rumored for “The Wolfman” (he also starred in 2002’s monster flick “The Scorpion King“), while Jolie is said to be eyed for “Bride Of Frankenstein.” You might recall that it was reported a couple of years back that Universal only got behind Jolie’s arthouse jaunt “By The Sea” with the hopes that she’d return the favor by appearing in “Wanted 2” or “Bride Of Frankenstein.” However, at the moment, nothing official seems to be going on with either actor when it comes to Dark Universe, so we’ll have to wait and see.
Indeed, none of this moves forward if “The Mummy” flops. According to the trade, the film needs to open with $40 million domestic and do gangbusters overseas, where Cruise is still a massive draw. It should be noted, however, that stateside, outside of the “Mission: Impossible” franchise, Cruise hasn’t opened a movie to at least $40 million since 2005’s “War Of The Worlds.” It will certainly be interesting to watch what the box-office response will be.
Still, Universal is remaining optimistic, with “The Bride Of Frankenstein” already slated for release on February 14, 2019.
They, Universal in this case, can ‘eye’ them all they want and it doesn’t amount to a hill of beans. This is just PR marketing bs. Jolie is ‘eyed’ all the time by most all the studios as is Johnson and most all other so-called stars and box office draws. To even get them interested they have to have big money to offer them and even then all this is still very, very far-fetched. All this does is get the troops, the masses, yammering about the casting which will probably never be and blah blah blah…premature marketing is all this is. Trite and boring stuff.
Because this monster universe is a colossally dumb idea that no one asked form their strategy is to cast stars in the other roles because they think people will show up to see the star, even if they aren’t interested in the rest of the movie. I think they’ve badly overestimated things here.
A. Jolie can’t act, it’s always about her.
(I know about the Oscar, because ‘Hollywood advises Hollywood’ doesn’t make her a good actress. Look at Emma Watson, still around though learnt nothing in 15 years)
I’m looking forward to this Universe, don’t ruin it by ending Queen Translucency’s pension. She’s only welcome as The Invisible Woman.
Time to move forward and let her do things that have little or nothing to do with movies.
Rest assured, if she’s in the film, I’m not seeing it.
Thankfully you don’t get to decide if she gets the role or not. I hope she gets it. She was fantastic as Maleficent and the Bride is exactly the type of film she will excel at because she can hide behind a lot of makeup… Unfortunately for her – people like you only see her when she’s on the screen or so you say… Since you admit you won’t watch it with her in it – I doubt you watch any of her movies.
Dwayne Johnson would be awful for The Wolfman. And where is a revival of Creature from the Black Lagoon, that’s the one movie in the classic monsters catalog that hasn’t been done to death.
Jason momoa for wolfman.