In 2017, Universal Pictures will try once again to get their own MCU off the ground. No, we’re not talking about the Marvel Cinematic Universe. We’re referring to the Monsters Cinematic Universe, which will feature many of the studio’s classic characters. Kicking things off this spring is The Mummy, which recently debuted a spooky and thrilling first trailer. Now, following up on that, EW has delivered a brand new image from the film.
A reboot starring Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella as the titular Princess awoken from her slumber with supernatural powers, the reboot will be laying the groundwork for a sprawling cinematic universe that will also include iconic figures like Van Helsing, the Wolf Man and Dr. Jekyll. It’s that last one who features in the new still below, as we see him talking with Cruise’s character.
There’s nothing terribly revealing here, but we have heard that the doctor’s other personality, Mr. Hyde, will also be teased in the film. As such, The Mummy will be telling two different origin stories, something which director Alex Kurtzmann elaborated on in an interview with EW.
“There’s an origin story happening on two different fronts. I won’t tell you too much more than that, other than to say: One of the things that I think has defined Tom Cruise movies, for 30 years, is that Tom Cruise always saves the day. You know whenever you’re in a Tom Cruise movie that he’s gonna figure out a way to save the day. And that’s great, and it’s why I pay my money to see his movies.
However, in the context of a monster movie, it’s challenging, because monster movies are about characters who are often very out of control, and don’t know how to save the day. The first thing I said to Tom was, ‘It’ll be scarier if we can take away the fundamental knowledge that you’re gonna solve the problem.’”
As exciting as The Mummy sounds, it’s important to remember that this is far from the first time Universal has tried to get their cinematic universe off the ground. Aside from Dracula Untold, which the studio had big hopes for back in 2014 before it bombed with critics and audiences alike, they also attempted to kick things off with Van Helsing in 2004 and The Wolfman in 2010. Obviously, both of those failed and now, here we are, with the fourth try coming up in the form of The Mummy.
Can it succeed where the others didn’t? We’ll find out shortly, as Cruise’s new film hits theatres on June 9th, 2017.