Universal Release Synopsis For Tom Cruise’s The Mummy Reboot

Universal’s new take on ‘The Mummy,’ intended to kick-start their new monster movie universe, is currently in production with Tom Cruise in the lead - and now, the first official synopsis for the reboot has been released.

This synopsis confirms, as has already been reported, that - by contrast with most recent ‘Mummy’ movies starring Brendan Fraser, which were set between the 1920s and 1940s - this time around, the action takes place in the present day:

“Thought safely entombed in a crypt deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient queen (Sofia Boutella of Kingsman: The Secret Service and Star Trek Beyond) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her, is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension.”

The synopsis goes on to hint at how the film will set the scene for the broader Universal cinematic universe, complete with a nod to one of the most famous lines from 1935 classic ‘The Bride of Frankenstein:’

“From the sweeping sands of the Middle East through hidden labyrinths under modern-day London, The Mummy brings a surprising intensity and balance of wonder and thrills in an imaginative new take that ushers in a new world of gods and monsters.”

Whilst cinematic universes are currently all the rage in the wake of Marvel’s success, Universal were arguably the first studio to attempt such a widespread crossover venture, bringing together their best-loved monsters in such 1940s features as ‘Frankenstein Meets The Wolf Man,’ ‘House of Dracula’ and ‘Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein.’

Beyond the ‘Mummy’ movies, Universal have struggled to relaunch their monster brand in the past two decades, with ‘Van Helsing’ and ‘The Wolfman’ proving misfires. (Reboots of both these titles are said to be in the pipeline.)

2014′s moderately successful ‘Dracula Untold’ was initially pitched as the starting point of the long-mooted monster universe, but it is unclear at present whether that film will indeed be treated as canon - or, for that matter, whether Luke Evans will be back as Dracula.

In some respects, it would not be surprising if Evans does not return, as Universal seem to be aiming for a higher level of star power by casting Cruise in ‘The Mummy,’ plus Johnny Depp in their planned ‘The Invisible Man’ reboot.

The studio are also said to be courting Scarlett Johansson for ‘The Creature From The Black Lagoon,’ and Angelina Jolie for ‘The Bride of Frankenstein’ - and most recently, reports have broken that Russell Crowe may be in talks to appear in ‘The Mummy’ as Dr Jekyll/Mr Hyde.

The Universal monster universe is being spearheaded by producer and screenwriter-turned-director Alex Kurtzman; he is currently behind the camera on ‘The Mummy,’ which is scheduled to hit cinemas in June 2017.

Picture Credit: Universal, WENN

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