With comic book-based cinematic universes now in full swing, Universal will soon try something incredibly different. The Dark Universe will take some of the most iconic monsters in film history and bring in some of the best contemporary actors to play them -- starting with the upcoming release of Alex Kurtzman's The Mummy. This universe has already incorporated beloved stars like Tom Cruise, Russell Crowe and Javier Bardem, but two monster roles still need to be filled. Now it seems that, in addition to the rumors that Angelina Jolie may soon take on the role of the Bride of Frankenstein, Dwayne Johnson could even join The Dark Universe for the upcoming reboot of The Wolfman.
According to a report from THR, Universal may currently be looking at Dwayne Johnson to potentially enter The Dark Universe as the newest incarnation of The Wolfman. The film is one of many Universal Monster movies currently in development, but like Bride of Frankenstein, it's one of the few to not announce a lead actor for the project yet. Dwayne Johnson already has a working relationship with Universal, particularly within the highly successful Fast and Furious franchise, so it seems like it wouldn't be terribly difficult to lock him down for another sprawling blockbuster universe.
The rumors of Dwayne Johnson for the role of The Wolfman also possibly sheds some new light onto the type of character that Universal wants to create for The Dark Universe. As one of the most imposing action stars working in Hollywood right now, Johnson certainly has the sheer physicality to convey a man in touch with his beastly side. If that's the direction that Universal is taking The Dark Universe, then The Wolfman could essentially serve as The Incredible Hulk of this burgeoning franchise.
This technically wouldn't even be Dwayne Johnson's first foray into the world of Universal Monsters if he signs on as the new Wolfman. The former wrestling star got his Hollywood start in The Mummy Returns as The Scorpion King, which subsequently led to his own spin-off film in 2002. For him to return to that universe almost two decades later (albeit as an entirely different character in a completely different continuity) would feel incredibly poetic for his longtime fans.
As mentioned above, Dwayne Johnson isn't the only A-lister currently rumored for a role in The Dark Universe. Rumors have swirled for quite some time that Angelina Jolie may step in as the Bride of Frankenstein, which would seriously bolster the female side of The Dark Universe if true. Sure, Sofia Boutella's star has been on the rise since Kingsman: The Secret Service and Star Trek Beyond, but Jolie is a legitimate superstar and easy box office draw for her diehard fanbase.
At this point, it's anyone's guess as to whether or not Dwayne Johnson will join The Wolfman. The Dark Universe appears to be banking on star power at the moment, and there are few stars in Hollywood currently shining brighter than The Rock. For now, make sure to catch the Tom Cruise-fronted Mummy reboot when it debuts in theaters on June 9, and keep an eye out for more information related to The Bride of Frankenstein, which is currently aiming for a February 14, 2019 release date.
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