Javier Bardem, the Dune 2 famed actor, has expressed interest in reviving the Dark Universe. Initially intended to create a cinematic universe centered on Universal Monsters, the project struggled and was eventually abandoned.
Now, in 2024, Bardem is enthusiastic about breathing new life into this ambitious concept. His desire to resurrect the Dark Universe may bring audiences something new and intriguing, as they’ve been waiting eagerly for a chance to finally see the potential of what could have been.
Javier Bardem Wants to Resurrect Universal’s Dark Universe
In a Sirius XM interview, Javier Bardem recently revealed his eagerness to revisit Universal Pictures’ “Dark Universe” as Frankenstein’s monster. Once envisioned alongside Russell Crowe, Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp, and Sofia Boutella in a promotional image for the ambitious franchise, Bardem’s role was part of a star-studded cast set to redefine classic creatures on screen.
However, following the underwhelming performance of The Mummy in 2017, Universal shifted towards standalone hits like Leigh Whannell’s successful take on The Invisible Man and eventually abandoned the concept. Despite these changes, Bardem’s desire to resurrect the monstrous universe remains firm, as he said,
I haven’t heard anything about it, so I don’t know what’s the state of that. Me personally, I would love to play Frankenstein. Actually, I would like to play both — Dr. Frankenstein and Frankenstein the monster. Because it’s the dichotomy and the contradiction of one, the same being. But I don’t know if that’s going to be the case or not.
However, years later, there’s a tantalizing opportunity to shake up the box office with something truly intriguing. The Universal Monsters franchise is undeniably iconic, but is now the right moment for its resurgence? Despite The Mummy tanking, a fresh approach and perspective could rejuvenate the initiative. While many are eager, the studio must be patient to gauge if this is indeed what audiences are craving.
Everything You Need to Know About Universal’s Failed Attempt to Compete with the MCU
In May 2017, Universal Pictures hyped up their Dark Universe with a star-studded Photoshop image featuring Tom Cruise, Russell Crowe, Javier Bardem, and more. Inspired by the success of Marvel’s Avengers, Universal aimed to create a shared universe around classic monsters. However, the hype quickly fizzled after The Mummy flopped, leading to the Dark Universe’s demise within a year.
The Dark Universe faltered primarily due to its failure to authentically leverage the unique appeal of classic monster characters. Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which embraces each superhero’s unique qualities, the Dark Universe failed to create a cohesive story that connected with viewers. It suffered from frequent changes in directors, inconsistent creative decisions, and a lack of clear direction. These challenges, along with prioritizing big-budget spectacles over compelling storytelling, prevented it from gaining momentum and eventually caused the project to be abandoned.
Despite this setback, Universal hasn’t abandoned the idea of connecting monster films. Recent projects like Renfield have attempted to integrate classic Dracula films into a larger narrative. While the Dark Universe may be dead, Universal continues to explore new ways to reinvent iconic monsters like Dracula and Wolfman for modern audiences, hoping to avoid past mistakes.
The Mummy is available to rent on Prime Video.
