The so-called "Dark Universe" is expanding...and getting darker. Despite the fact that the first movie in the new franchise hasn't yet arrived in theaters, the second one has already been revealed. With that, Universal's franchise begins to take shape in an expected direction. Whether or not the franchise succeeds will depend on how well the world around it is developed and whether or not cues are taken from other successful franchises.
Announcing the new "Dark Universe" movie
The next movie in the "Dark Universe" will be "The Bride Of Frankenstein." Directed by Bill Condon, the film is set to come out on Valentine's Day, 2019 - how romantic.
The script will be written by David Koepp, who has written scripts in the "Jurassic Park" world in the past, as well as for "Indiana Jones" and "Mission: Impossible," among others.
Beyond a date and a name, not much is known about the latest "Dark Universe" entry. Javier Bardem is widely expected to play Frankenstein's monster, though there is still a (remote) possibility that the character could debut in a different movie. There is no lead attached to the film yet, though some popular names being bandied around include Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie. There's also no clear plot direction, though it would appear that there are plans to skip the origin story of Frankenstein's monster - maybe a future prequel will cover that ground.
Enter the "Dark Universe"
Before "Bride of Frankenstein" comes, however, "The Mummy" will lead the charge into the "Dark Universe." The reboot will be starring Tom Cruise, in addition to Sofia Boutella and Russell Crowe, who will play Dr. Jekyll. That movie is just weeks away from coming out, with a release date of June 9, 2017.
After 2019, the "Dark Universe" will blow up. There will be a movie about a creature from the Black Lagoon and one about the Invisible Man (which will star Johnny Depp). Van Helsing will be coming back to the big screen, as will Wolf Man. Then, one can assume all of the monsters will come together for at least one big jaunt for all to behold.
It's a way of building a lore similar to what Marvel has done with their cinematic universe. It's a big bet, considering success hasn't befallen a single property in the franchise yet. With some real star power, however, it's a bet that could prove to be rather prosperous, not just for years, but decades full of monstrous movie making on the big screen.
