Universal Classic Monsters

Official logo of the Dark Universe label as released by Universal Pictures

Originally conceived as a cinematic universe that was officially titled the Dark Universe, with multiple crossovers and inter-connectivity between films, the label is now used colloquially by some media outlets to refer to Universal Pictures' rebooted franchises. Conceptualized as a shared universe, the studio had announced the projects in development with a press release announcing the intellectual property's title, a trailer, casting announcements, and official theme music composed by Danny Elfman. Casting included: Russell Crowe as Dr. Henry Jekyll / Mr. Edward Hyde, Javier Bardem as the Frankenstein's Monster, and Johnny Depp as The Invisible Man. They joined Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella, as Nick Morton and Princess Ahmanet / The Mummy. Additional rebooted adaptations of characters was also announced, including: Van Helsing, the Wolf Man, the Creature from the Black Lagoon, the Phantom of the Opera, Dr. Henry Jekyll and Mr. Edward Hyde, and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame. Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan were announced as co-runners of the Dark Universe, with collaborations from David Koepp and Christopher McQuarrie.[8]

After mixed critical reception to the first two installments, Universal halted development on further projects, while their plans for future releases was reassessed.[9] Despite this, in May 2018 artist Robert Vargas announced from his social media account that he had attended a meeting with the studio and would collaborate on the Dark Universe character designs moving forward.[10] During this period of time, Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan left their roles as co-architects of the franchise,[9] while successful horror film producer Jason Blum had at various times publicly expressed his interest in reviving and working on future installments within the Dark Universe franchise.[11][12] By January 2019, the studio announced plans to develop individualized films, with stand-alone installments.[13]

The studio's first attempt at launching their shared universe, Dracula Untold was originally developed prior to the plans for a shared universe of horror films. The studio decided to retool the movie to be the first installment of the franchise, with re-shoots adding a modern-day setting at the end of the film. Starring Luke Evans as the eponymous role, the plot incorporated elements regarding the real-life Vlad Drăculea in an original story where he becomes the vampire, Dracula. Released on October 10, 2014, the film's mixed financial and critical reception resulted in the film's presence within the franchise to be downplayed. Evans has remained attached to the role, with potential to return in a future film.[14][15]

Originally announcing plans for a reboot of The Mummy franchise in 2012, Universal marketed The Mummy as the first film in the Dark Universe. Alex Kurtzman served as director and co-writer,[16][17] The Mummy was released on June 9, 2017. It received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics. Universal deemed the domestic ticket sales to be, underwhelming box office returns.[18] Due to the mixed reception, Universal removed additional films from their scheduled release dates, while the future of the franchise was reassessed. As of June 2020, It remains as the first and only installment of the Dark Universe.

The project was initially announced in February 2016 as a part of the Dark Universe with Johnny Depp cast in the lead role, and a script by Ed Solomon. By January 2019, it was announced to be retooled as a stand-alone feature film written and directed by Leigh Whannell with an acknowledgement that Depp had the option to remain cast as the titular monster.[19] The project was a joint-production between Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, Nervous Tick, and Goalpost Pictures. Jason Blum and Kylie du Fresne served as the producers.

Elisabeth Moss and Oliver Jackson-Cohen were cast as the lead characters, Cecilia Kass and Adrian Griffin / the Invisible Man, respectively.[20][21][22] Principle photography commenced in July 2019, and continued into September 2019.[23] The Invisible Man was released on February 28, 2020.[24] Later, Whannell stated that the movie was developed as a stand-alone installment, and was not developed with a greater cinematic universe in mind. This is not part of the planned Dark Universe. [25]

• The Bride of Frankenstein: Originally announced with Bill Condon as the director for the reboot of the titular character, with a script written by David Koepp; the movie was scheduled to be released on February 14, 2019.[26][27] By November of 2017, the movie was pulled from its initial release, with the studio stating that the filmmaker and all creatives involved had wanted to delay the film in favor of further refining the script.[9][28] In January of 2018, development on the film continued with Condon hiring a production team consisting of cinematographer Tobias A. Schliessler, production designer Sarah Greenwood, composer Carter Burwell, and costume designer Jacqueline Durran.[29] By November of 2019, Condon confirmed that though the film had entered pre-production at one point, it was ultimately halted due to the outcome of the release of The Mummy. The director also confirmed that Koepp remains involved with re-working the rebooted franchises.[30] By February of 2020, it was announced that Amy Pascal will serve as producer, with the project becoming a joint-venture production between Universal Pictures and Pascal Pictures. The studio is courting David Koepp to continue his work as screenwriter. Filmmakers John Krasinski and Sam Raimi have individually had discussions with the studio regarding potentially directing, while Variety reported that Krasinski was given options to develop films from the roster of monsters owned by Universal Pictures.[31][32] In June 2020, Koepp stated that, in addition to still being actively involved with the project, the film will be standalone and that this decision was inspired by the success of The Invisible Man.[33] He also gave more info in regards to what the film will be about, stating "It's become the story of how are we extending our lives; can we create life, can we cheat death? It only gets more and more relevant over time. The big life extension work right now that's being out in Silicon Valley is overwhelming, impressive and scary, and I feel like a present day version of that is begging to be made."[34] When asked about what role the bride will actually have in the movie, he stated "The other thing is she is a woman who is not created but resurrected, and certain people feel ownership of her, and that's almost too relevant today in the era of ＃MeToo. What are her rights as a person, the person that exists, if you were dead? There are a lot of interesting questions that are raised. Again, it's horror effortlessly leading itself to metaphor."[34]
• Dark Army: In September of 2019, it was announced that the film, featuring monsters from the original movies as well as new characters, was in development. Paul Feig will serve as director, from a script of his own. He will serve as co-producer with Laura Fischer. The project will be a joint production between Universal Pictures and Feigco Productions.[35] In October of the same year, the filmmaker confirmed that "the Dark Universe people" were reviewing the first draft of his script, while stating that The Bride of Frankenstein will be a major influence on his project.[36] By February of 2020, Feig stated that he was working on the second draft of the script, after receiving input from Universal Pictures.[37] By May of the same year, Feig stated that he had recently finished the second draft of the script and described the tone of the film as closer to the original films, when compared to Whannell's The Invisible Man. The filmmaker reaffirmed that it will be a horror movie, but that it will portray the monsters as rejects, similar to the original films. He further stated that the studio is still deciding which of the projects they have in development will enter production first.[38] Variety reported that Feig was given options to develop films from the roster of monsters owned by Universal Pictures.[39][40]
• Renfield: In November of 2019, it was announced that a film centered Count Dracula's henchman, R. M. Renfield, is in development. The project was greenlit following a pitch to the studio from Robert Kirkman. Dexter Fletcher signed on as director, with a script by Ryan Ridley. The film will be a joint-venture production between Universal Studios, and Skybound Entertainment. Kirkman, David Alpert, Bryan Furst, and Sean Furst will serve as producers.[41]
• Frankenstein: In November of 2019, James Wan was announced to serve as producer on a reboot of the Frankenstein film series.[42] Jason Blum expressed interest in joining the production in a producing role.[43] In March of 2020, it was announced that Robbie Thompson was hired to serve as screenwriter, with the plot revolving around a group of teenagers who discover that a neighbor is creating a monster in their basement. The project will be a joint production between Universal Pictures and Atomic Monster Productions.[44]
• The Invisible Woman: In November of 2019, a reboot of The Invisible Woman was announced to be in development. Elizabeth Banks will star in, and direct the film, with a script written by Erin Cressida Wilson from a story pitch written by Banks. She will co-produce the project with Max Handelman.[45] Variety reported that Banks was given options to develop films from the roster of monsters owned by Universal Pictures.[46][47]
• Monster Mash: In February of 2020 a musical, titled after and centered around the novelty song "Monster Mash", was announced to be in development. Grammy Award nominee Matt Stawski will make his feature film directorial debut, while Will Widger will serve as screenwriter, from an original story written by Stawski. The project will be a joint-venture production between Universal Pictures and Temple Hill Entertainment. Marty Bowen will serve as producer.[48]
• Dracula: By March of 2020, Karyn Kusama was hired to direct a film centered around Dracula, from a script co-written by Matt Manfredi and Phil Hay. The plot will reportedly take place in a modern setting. The project will be a joint-venture production, with Blumhouse Productions serving as the production studio.[49][50] In June of the same year, Kusama stated that the film will be a "faithful adaptation" of Bram Stoker's Dracula, including the plot device of being told from various perspectives.[51][52]
• The Wolf Man: Initially announced in November of 2014 to be in development as a part of the Dark Universe, Universal hired Aaron Guzikowski to write the shared universe's reboot of The Wolf Man film series.[53][54] In June of 2016, Deadline reported that the studio had been eyeing Dwayne Johnson to star as the character.[55] In October of 2016, David Callaham was hired to re-write the script.[56] By May of 2020, it was announced that Ryan Gosling has been cast as the Wolf Man for an upcoming reboot of the titular character. Lauren Shuker Blum and Rebecca Angelo co-wrote the script, from an original story pitched by Gosling. The actor had previously been in negotiations to also serve as director, though it was ultimately decided that he would instead focus entirely on acting. Universal is actively pursuing a director.[57]
• Untitled Projects: In April 2020, reports from Knight Edge Media saying that Jordan Peele will direct an untitled Universal Monster movie with Will Smith starring.[58] The Invisible Man producer Jason Blum told Fandom a interview saying that he would be up for doing more Universal Monster movies in the future.[59]

Since 1991, Halloween Horror Nights at Universal Parks & Resorts have featured characters from the Universal Classic Monsters franchise. From 2006 to 2014, the characters also appeared in the year-round walk-through attraction, Universal's House of Horrors, at Universal Studios Hollywood. The franchise is also the central theme of Universal's Horror Make-Up Show. The live show opened in 1990 at Universal Studios Florida and is still in operation.[60]

In 2004, Revenge of the Mummy opened at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood. Based on the first two Mummy films of the remake era, the ride is a roller coaster with dark ride elements.[61] Recent reports indicate the franchise will be conceptualized as a brand new land opening at Universal's Epic Universe.[62]

• Monster Force (1994) (TV series)
• The Mummy: The Animated Series (2001–03) (TV series)
• Van Helsing: The London Assignment (2004) (DTV film)