Tom Cruise In Talks For The Mummy Reboot And Universal Monsters Cinematic Universe

As you know, Universal is hoping to copy the Marvel Studios formula by launching their own cinematic universe of classic movie monster reboots. And now it looks like they might have landed a major star for The Mummy reboot: Tom Cruise. More details in the possible Tom Cruise Mummy reboot, after the jump.

The news comes from Variety, which claims that Tom 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.

Update: 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." This doesn't mean that Cruise is wanted and in consideration for the role, but the specific wording of "no deal" is "in the works" suggests that contracts have not been introduced.

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.

All we know about the story will feature a monster wrapped in bandages and that 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.

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. 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 Mummy for March 24, 2017. From there Universal is planning to release films based on their other iconic characters: Dracula, Van Helsing, Bride of Frankenstein and the Wolf Man. 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.