Rumors: Tom Cruise linked to ‘The Mummy’ reboot

Universal is hoping to copy the Marvel Studios formula by launching their own cinematic universe of classic movie monster reboots and have been chasing a major star for The Mummy reboot: Tom Cruise.

The news comes from Variety, which claims that Cruise is currently in talks to star a reboot of the Universal monsters franchise The Mummy. This film would hopefully help to launch Universal’s new era of monster films and the much talked about Universal Monsters cinematic universe.

Universal gave Variety “no comment” when they asked about the story but now apparently Deadline claims both “Universal and the star’s people” say that “no deal with Cruise is in the works for the film.”

The studio hired Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan last summer to develop this Universal Monsters universe, which would supposedly see a bunch of stand-alone films focusing on the famous monsters in the Universal catalog before converging in a Avengers-style mega cross-over film.

Last month we learned that The Mummy reboot Alex Kurtzman and writer Jon Spaihts have two versions of the story ready to go with one version featuring a traditional male Mummy and the the other staring a female version of the classic character with her own “unique backstory.”

At the time it was reported that the final decision would come down to casting, as the production were set to see both men and women for the part and make their decision after that. The great Boris Karloff played the Mummy in the original 1932 version of this story and Arnold Vosloo played him in the 1999 remake and its sequel.

Boris Karloff in 1932 version of “The Mummy”

The story will be set in present day, unlike the last three installments starring Brendan Fraser, which Kurtzman says will offer many story opportunities. There had been rumors that the story would follow a Navy Seal named Tyler Colt on his mission in the Iraqi dessert to find a group of terrorists hiding out in a bunker, but Kurtzman denied these rumors when we asked him about them at the TCAs.

Universal Pictures Chairman Donna Langley has said that “The characters will interact with each other across movies.” Chris Morgan has confirmed that the universe they are building is “not a heightened world” like the ones he has created with the Fast & Furious films. He has explained, “We’re exploring issues of family identity and questions of, ‘Where do I belong in the world?”

Kurtzman has also confirmed that the new movies will still be based in horror.

According to the Hollywood trade publication, Cruise “isn’t expected to produce, but will play a major part in helping develop this new franchise.” If Cruise signs on he would also take part in future Mummy films and appearances in other Universal Monsters franchise films including the end game of the mega team-up film.

Universal is also prepping potential films based on Dracula, Frankenstein, the Invisible Man, the Bride of Frankenstein and Van Helsing. In fact, Cruise was rumored to be attached as Van Helsing.

We know that Prisoners writer Aaron Guzikowski, Now You See Me writer Ed Solomon, and Noah Hawley, the man behind FX’s brilliant Fargo series, have been hired to write scripts for the Monster Universe.

Universal has already dated the release of The Mummy for March 24, 2017.