Universal confirms monster movie universe with Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Universal confirms monster movie universe with Johnny Depp, Javier Bardem
Depp will play the Invisible Man with Bardem as Frankenstein’s Monster

[KMR]

After reading the Dark Universe page cited by that article, my main response is: Ho hum. Just Universal's own way to join the Marvel/DC "Let's put all the characters we own or have access to into one world, turning the whole series of movies into a giant, generic good-vs-evil CGI-fest marathon" bandwagon.

[Brian]

Since I am far from the "target audience" for this, I can happily stick to the 1940s original monsterfests.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Well, it doesn't seem like they're starting off too well:

Review: ‘The Mummy’ Is The Worst Tom Cruise Movie Ever
"The Mummy” is an extremely grim welcome to Universal's new world of gods and monsters.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

Apparently horrendous reviews be damned (at least in the rest of the world):

Tom Cruise’s ‘The Mummy’ Scares Up $141.8 Million at International Box Office

"While Universal may not be supremely enthused by how “The Mummy” is opening in North America, the studio’s latest is posting impressive numbers overseas, especially in China.

From 63 territories, the film is expected to earn $141.8 million, which, combined with the North American take of $32.2 million, would give Universal’s latest a worldwide opening of $174 million."

It's interesting that the movie opened in China because the Depp/DS film was banned there because of supernatural content. Supernaturally speaking, how does a rampaging mummy differ from a vampire/witch story? Apparently only the Chinese know...

[Mysterious Benefactor]

‘The Mummy’ Director Alex Kurtzman Is Still Optimistic About the Future of the Dark Universe
He says that "variety is going to be our good friend" as the franchise grows.

[Mysterious Benefactor]

And yet more proof, as if we needed it, that something being deemed a "flop" is in the mind of the beholder and who's being beheld. Dozens of Web sites are declaring The Mummy a flop, yet there are also articles with titles like:

‘Wonder Woman’ Rules — and While Tom Cruise is Not a Flop, He’s No Longer in Control
"Wonder Woman" continues to dominate, and rumors of Tom Cruise's demise are exaggerated

and

So you think 'The Mummy' will flop? Think again.

It's good to see that are at least some writers who have a grasp on reality in this rush to condemn entertainment world...

[Mysterious Benefactor]

How Universal Should Solve Its Dark Universe Problem
"The Mummy" is an unmitigated disaster, so we asked a panel of film critics to share their advice if Universal wants its monster movies to succeed.