Universal may have found the next A-lister to join its monster movie universe.
Russell Crowe is in early talks to play a Dr. Jekyll-type role, with the character first making an appearance in
“The Mummy” starring Tom Cruise, sources tell
Variety.
While other actors — like
Johnny Depp in “The Invisible Man” — will first appear in standalone projects, insiders say some of the classic characters will make cameos in “
The Mummy” as a means of launching spinoff franchises.
“The Mummy” is set to bow on June 9, 2017.
The studio tapped Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan last summer to help develop a monster universe for Universal with rebooted versions of the studio’s classic monster movies. Kurtzman is also on board to direct, and will produce alongside Morgan and Sean Daniel.
Universal’s hope is that Crowe’s small role in “The Mummy” would lead to a possible stand-alone pic for the character, giving Crowe and the studio a new franchise for its monster universe.
Crowe can be seen next in Warner Bros. action comedy “The Nice Guys” opposite Ryan Gosling. He is repped by WME.
Source: Variety
