Universal Eyes Dwayne Johnson to Revive Failed Monster Universe

Universal’s grand plans for a shared universe of classic monsters fizzled out almost as quickly as they began, but the studio appears determined to have another go. This time, they’re hoping Dwayne Johnson might be the one to resurrect the project. According to industry whispers, Johnson is being courted for a fresh instalment of the Scorpion King saga, a role he first took on at the turn of the millennium.

After his initial outings as Mathayus in The Mummy Returns and The Scorpion King, Johnson stepped away, leaving the franchise to limp along without him. Several sequels followed, but none managed to recapture the original spark. In 2020, a reboot was floated with Johnson attached as producer, yet nothing concrete materialised. Now, with renewed interest, fans are left wondering if Johnson’s return could finally breathe life into a universe that never quite got off the ground.

Universal’s Monster Ambitions: A Second Attempt?

There’s more to Universal’s ambitions than just another Scorpion King film. Reports suggest the studio is also keen to see Johnson appear in the next Mummy instalment, which is set to reunite Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Johnson, when asked about the possibility, responded with characteristic warmth:

Oh man, I don’t know. I’m always open. To be clear, that is Brendan Fraser’s franchise. I love that man. He’s one of my greatest supporters. We support each other. And if they want to call the Scorpion King, I know a guy who knows a guy. I would certainly consider it. Because that franchise changed my life.

Should Universal make the call, it seems Johnson would at least give the idea proper thought. And, one would hope, the visual effects would be a touch more convincing this time around.

The Dark Universe: Where Did It All Go Wrong?

Universal’s attempt to launch a monster-based cinematic universe began in earnest with the 2017 reboot of The Mummy, helmed by Alex Kurtzman and fronted by Tom Cruise. The film, intended as the cornerstone of a sprawling franchise, was met with a resounding lack of enthusiasm. Critics were unimpressed, and audiences didn’t exactly flock to the box office. Rotten Tomatoes gave it a paltry 15%, with the consensus reading:

“Lacking the campy fun of the franchise’s most recent entries and failing to deliver many monster-movie thrills, The Mummy suggests a speedy unraveling for the Dark Universe.”

Despite Cruise’s star power, the film struggled to break even, grossing just over $400 million worldwide against a hefty production budget. The numbers simply didn’t add up, and the negative reception made it clear that the Dark Universe was on shaky ground from the outset.

Ambitious Plans Left in the Dust

Before the plug was pulled, Universal had mapped out an entire slate of interconnected films. Channing Tatum was rumoured for a Van Helsing reboot, while Dracula Untold, starring Luke Evans, was quietly positioned as a possible starting point for the universe. Angelina Jolie was in talks to play the Bride of Frankenstein, with Javier Bardem lined up as the Monster. Scarlett Johansson’s name was floated for a modern take on Creature from the Black Lagoon, and Johnny Depp was even confirmed for the role of the Invisible Man.

Russell Crowe’s appearance as Dr. Jekyll in The Mummy was meant to set up his own feature, and there were whispers of Dwayne Johnson taking on the Wolfman at one stage. Other classic characters, such as the Phantom of the Opera and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, were also on the drawing board. Yet, as the Dark Universe crumbled, so too did these grand designs.

Could Johnson’s Return Change Universal’s Fortunes?

With the Dark Universe now little more than a cautionary tale, Universal’s hopes seem to rest on the broad shoulders of Dwayne Johnson. If he does return as the Scorpion King, and perhaps even makes an appearance in the next Mummy film, there’s a chance the studio could finally find the formula it’s been searching for. For now, fans can only wait and see if this latest attempt will fare any better than the last.