Leading up to the theatrical release of Universal Pictures Monster Movie Universe production The Mummy early next month, the latest word has the newly-founded cinematic universe being labeled as the Dark Universe. Harking back to the classic black and white films featuring such mainstay characters of foreboding doom and gloom, Universal is looking to bring back its own stable of original franchise properties in a big, big way - with future releases including revisionist takes on such iconic titles as The Wolfman and Bride of Frankenstein.

Undoubtedly, the folks at Universal will have quite the task ahead of them if they hope for their Universal Monster Movie Universe to succeed against the likes of the already-established Marvel Cinematic Universe and DC Extended Universe. But based on the latest announcement from the aforementioned film studio, things have taken a decidedly definitive new direction behind the scenes of the burgeoning Monster Movie Universe.

In the footage featured above, Universal announces that the Dark Universe is the Monster Movie Universe, as backed by an original franchise theme composed by Danny Elfman and an all-new motion logo designed by the good folks over at Weta Digital. Hoping to develop a novel means by which the overarching feature franchise will continue to develop and take shape following the release of The Mummy this June - and with Bill Condon officially onboard to direct its immediate successor in the form of the 2019 release of Bride of Frankenstein - the Dark Universe is sure to draw the attention of moviegoers around the world.

Speaking to the ideas and thematic thinking put into developing the new Universal Monster Movie Universe - which will revolve around the secretive organization known as the Prodigium that is tasked with rooting out the world's evil forces - studio masterminds Chris Morgan and Alex Kurtzman appear more than eager for audiences to be introduced to their creation by way of the impending release of The Mummy. Referring to the creative process involved thus far, Morgan and Kurtzman stated:

"When Universal approached us with the idea of reimagining these classic characters, we recognized the responsibility of respecting their legacy while bringing them into new and modern adventures. The studio and our fellow creative collaborators [Christopher McQuarrie and David Koepp] have championed and challenged us as we’ve begun to spin the web of Dark Universe.  It’s our hope these movies will engross longtime fans and spark the imaginations of brand-new ones."

Following recent news that has Javier Bardem playing Frankenstein's Monster in Bride of Frankenstein - in addition to Russell Crowe as Dr. Henry Jekyll, Tom Cruise as world-traveler Nick Morton, Johnny Depp as the Invisible Man, and Sofia Boutella as The Mummy - things are definitely looking up for the Universal Monster Movie Universe, or the Dark Universe for short. In the mean time, here's to hoping for the best when everything kicks off with the theatrical release of The Mummy next month.

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Source: Universal Pictures