Earlier this year, Universal Pictures unleashed The Mummy, which was intended to launch a brand new shared ‘Dark Universe’ featuring the studio’s classic monsters and would lead into a host of movies such as Bride of Frankenstein, The Invisible Man, The Wolf Man and Creature from the Black Lagoon.
Unfortunately for Universal, The Mummy wasn’t the mega-hit that the studio was hoping for, and after putting Bride of Frankenstein on indefinite hold, it was reported earlier this month that producers Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan have abandoned ship, leaving the franchise’s future in doubt.
Well, as it turns out, things could have been very different, with The Shape of Water helmer Guillermo del Toro revealing that he was offered the reins to the Dark Universe back in 2007 – something he regrets turning down.
“The only time I repent I didn’t do something was in 2007, when Universal in an incredibly gentle and beautiful manner said do you want to take over the Monster Universe? And they gave me the reins of several properties, and I didn’t do it. That I repent. So this is a confessional moment, I repent. That’s the only thing.”
SEE ALSO: Read our review of The Shape of Water here
Del Toro would certainly have been a good fit to shepherd a shared Monster universe, so this definitely seems like a missed opportunity for both sides. Assuming the studio hasn’t completely abandoned its Classic Monster ambitions, could these comments be interpreted as a be a “come and get me” offer from del Toro? Could he save the Dark Universe? Let us know your thoughts in the comments…
Originally published December 3, 2017. Updated April 18, 2018.
