Back in 2014 Universal Pictures rebooted Dracula‘s story with Dracula Untold, a god awful retelling of Bram Stoker novel directed by Gary Shore and featuring Luke Evans in the title role. The film ended in modern day, setting up a sequel and possible franchise centered around Evans’ character. Universal quickly acknowledged that Dracula Untold was the first film in their planned rebooted Monsters universe. This was sour news as not only was the movie terrible, but an awful start to a monstrous play that would bring Frankenstein, the Mummy, the Creature From the Black Lagoon, and even the Wolfman back to the big screen.
Last night Universal dropped the first trailer for The Mummy, the Alex Kurtzman-directed and Tom Cruise starring retelling that is slated for release on June 9, 2017. It looks like a horrific adventure film that could be way more entertaining than the dull Dracula Untold. And with Cruise headlining, it’s hard to imagine it not being a huge success. So, what of Dracula Untold?
In a new interview, Kurtzman confirms that Dracula Untold is not canon with The Mummy, which means two possible things: The Mummy is the first film in the new Universal Monsters universe and that there definitely will could be a new actor sinking his teeth into the role of Dracula.
This is huge news, at least for this writer, because this means that the new Universal Monster universe has not only omitted a terrible film from its lore, but also has possibly excommunicated an actor unworthy of carrying a franchise on his shoulders.
While I don’t have much faith in Kurtzman, I have a lot in Tom Cruise and Chris Morgan (Fast & Furious), and refuse to believe Cruise would allow himself to partake in any sort of shit show without having some sort of control.
I guess we’ll find out this June if this new universe has any legs, but at least The Mummy trailer, unwrapped last night, looks like a fun and wild good time.
