HOME TRAILERS 2013 SCHEDULE PODCASTS REVIEWS POSTERS INTERVIEWS SHORT FILMS NEWS FEEDS ABOUT APPS

LATEST NEWS

Kurtzman & Orci Get New 'Mummy' and 'Van Helsing' with Tom Cruise

by Ben Pearson
May 1, 2012
Source: Deadline

If you've been paying attention to the blockbuster film scene over the past few years, you're probably familiar with the names Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci. The writer/producers have worked on high-profile projects like Star Trek and Transformers, and now Deadline reports the duo have signed a two-year first look deal with Universal Pictures. They're wasting no time getting started, as they've just announced their first two projects for the studio. First will be the reboot of The Mummy with Prometheus writer Jon Spaihts, and then a newly-announced reboot of Van Helsing with Tom Cruise set to lead it.

The Cruise connection makes sense for Van Helsing on a business level considering Kurtzman and Orci just rewrote Doug Liman's All You Need Is Kill, the action flick Cruise stars in alongside Emily Blunt. But it will certainly be a change of pace to see the iconic actor (who hasn't been in a period film since 2008's Valkyrie and The Last Samurai before that in 2003) take over for Hugh Jackman as the vampire-hunting Van Helsing, especially since Cruise himself played a famous blood-sucker in 1994's Interview With The Vampire. Talk about irony.

As far as The Mummy goes, if Universal insists on rebooting this franchise, I think these guys are the ones to do it. I feel like they've had more hits than misses in their careers, and they consistently produce entertaining blockbusters that are great popcorn films. They haven't gotten caught up in the "gritty reboot" craze that seems to have swept Hollywood post-Batman Begins, and instead they always remember to make having fun the top priority (which, admittedly, is sometimes to the detriment of the overall quality of the film). Regardless, I'm excited to see their approach to The Mummy, especially working alongside Spaihts, a writer on the rise after what looks to be an outstanding effort on Prometheus. Thoughts?

Filed under Casting, Development, Movie News

From around the web:

Hbstroopers

Everywhere reboots....how about a "Master of the Universe" live action movie?? This would awesome
- The Douche
  
  That would be a reboot as well.
JBrotsis

I could see the Mummy reboot (however the first mummy was the best of the three...very original). But come on...a reboot of Van Helsing?! It was great the way it was...incorporating the werewolf, dracula, and frankenstein with Hugh Jackman as Van Helsing. He was perfect for the role, easily over Cruise. Waste of time!
DarthVerous

Why?!?! Neither of these franchises need reboots... we don't need them and we don't want them. Do something original for a change and stop drinking from the bottom of the toliet, Hollywood. Move along.
Xerxexx

The Mummy was a great flick...the sequels not so much. Leave it alone!
- Reznik
  
  Ditto. These remakes are killing nostalgia.
  - Xerxexx
    
    indeed.
Ironknight_8a

Huh? But Tom Cruise is older than Jackman. He's 50....
- Mareah
  
  Tom Cruise is more bankable. Actually, no comparison. His filmography speaks for itself. These guys want to make a profit and as far as I know, TC is already attached to many projects and then there will be his directorial debut in this decade.
LosZombies

But theres nothing wrong with the first Mummy!! dafuq Hollywood!?! D:
DoomCanoe

they just need to bring the mummy.... TO THE FUTURE!!!
drnknjbbrsh

Two completely awful ideas. I also said that Titanic would bomb so....
David Banner

The Vampire Lestat. What happend, why didnt they make this, or why can't they make it now? The reason for Cruise's shift from Louis de Pointe du Lac to Lestat de Lioncourt was because Lestat is in all...5-6(?) books; the whole damn series is about him! Cruise at Van Helsing does not make sense. Unless.....it's a remake of Fearless Vampire Killers? I can't remember seeing a comedey with Cruise before, none pops to mind.
- Crazy Legs
  
  Tropic Thunder - He was the funniest character!
  - David Banner
    
    Doh! How the hell did I forget that one
Ehsan Davodi

I'm in Until you made mummy or van helsing I'm in, but in different way, surprising was, dark way,atmospheric way,mind way,soul way,heart way,modern way,beautiful way,serious way,worth way,cooooooooool way This two producer guy,I like them not much,their movies is very dry,always mindless action,a little boring for me(a little) I even love a lot, shitty films like sommers sucking mummy and van helsig. I like "thing remake", that was not in size of classic but worth waching,Exellent
Max Renn

Those guys are terrible writers.