Universal's Dark Universe looks to be drawing its last breath, as one of the film's – rather, the only film's – director has called his project a "painful" experience.
Turning the idea of a cinematic universe on its head, Universal hoped to launch its own series of films based around its classic monsters, including the Mummy, Bride of Frankenstein, and the Invisible Man.
Sadly, but perhaps not surprisingly, The Mummy was a flop when it was released in 2017, despite the star power of Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe.
Related: Bride of Frankenstein remake is indefinitely postponed
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about what went wrong for The Mummy, and the Dark Universe as a whole, director Alex Kurtzman revealed his disappointment.
"The Mummy wasn't what I wanted it to be," he explained, before confirming he has "no idea" what's happening with any future Dark Universe projects. "I'm no longer involved."
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Reflecting on the remake, he added: "I look back on it now [and] what felt painful at the time ended up being an incredible blessing for me.
"I learned that I need to follow my own instincts, and when I can't fully do that, I don't think I can succeed."
Despite his own bad experience, Kurtzman is also hopeful that Universal will give its idea of a shared universe a new lease of life in the future.
"Those films are beautiful because the monsters are broken characters, and we see ourselves in them," he added. "I hope those are the movies that they make – I want to see them."
If there was any franchise able to come back from the dead, it's this one.
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