Head of Universal’s Dark Universe isn’t sure about its future

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

The funny thing is, over the last few months whenever someone I know/meet finds out that I work for AITH – or "one of those horror movie sites" – the first thing they always ask me is "How did you convince someone to pay your dyslexic-ass to write words?" To which I reply, "I dunno". 

After that, they always ask me what I think of the DARK UNIVERSE series of films on the horizon.

Not sure why. Guess it might be because when you have names like Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem and the like lining up to be in these films, the weekend horror warrior takes notice. Shrug. All the same, I have been keeping a (fairly) close eye on the budding franchise and it doesn't look good.

Not only did THE MUMMY do bad business, but then John Landis gave the franchise a verbal smackdown, and then the powers that be hired the director of BEAUTY & THE CHICK FROM HARRY POTTER to direct their SECOND film.

I get worked up about this. 

Now let me just say real quick I have nothing against Bill Condon. The man directed CANDYMAN 2: FAREWELL TO THE FLESH so, even though that's a film most would like to forget, the man still has some horror-cred in my book.

But we'll see about BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN… 

Anyhow, the news of the day has to do with the franchise's "head" writer-director Alex Kurtzman (THE MUMMY) speaking on the future of the DARK UNIVERSE and even he's not sure if he's interested in continuing on with the planned shared universe.

Kurtzman on his future within the Dark Universe: 

You know the truth is, I don't know. I really don't know. I haven't really decided. Is the honest answer. I have to stay interested in it. I have to feel like my passion is there for it. I think in the case of Star Trek if your passion isn't there you shouldn't be doing it.

In another interview, Kurtzman talked about further DARK UNIVERSE films being tailored more towards the international market.

It's hard for me to know, is the truth.  I think every movie will be different. I certainly know that the legacy of the monsters have endured across the world throughout the years. Almost a century. So I have to believe American audiences will find it too with the right ingredients.

The right ingredients, yes. Americans are not predisposed to disliking the old school Universal monsters. Not by any means. Get horror fans behind the camera. Think Edgar Wright. Guillermo Del Toro. Again, not the director of HARRY POTTER'S GIRLFRIEND & THE DUDE FROM THE GUEST FALL IN LOVE.

But, whatever. What do you think of Universal's DARK UNIVERSE so far? Make sure to hit us up on social media and let us know what you think on Facebook, Twitter, and/or Instagram!

BRIDE OF FRANKENSTEIN (directed by Bill Condon) is set for February 14, 2019.