Universal Monsters Cinematic Universe

[Saansilt]

I loved it. I'll post a full write up why later if folks are interested in my take, suffice to say I am looking forward to this verse expanding.

[GodzillaFan1990's]

Looks like the Dark Universe's future may be in trouble: https://www.comicbookmovie.com/horror/u ... ng-a151778.

Well looks like its made twice its budget at 295.5 million now, honestly don't get how that's flopping or is in trouble, domestically I could understand but not globally.

[Tohosaurus]

Mostly because it's performing so poorly in its domestic market, both financially and critically. Another (less China-centric Warcraft).

At this point they should make sequels less clearly integrated with the rest of the universe, more MonsterVerse like. They should keep this in their universe or drop entire universe plans. We're at a trio of the main monsters this decade (Wolfman, Dracula, this) without particular success. There's only so many reboots they can do, so in a way I almost think they could have some better sequels that still have this and Dracula (bringing it back in, only making that obvious later though) in the Dark Universe. I also REALLY think they need to rethink including characters like the Phantom of the Opera or Hunchback. They'd be better adapting fresher monsters into this universe or at least something different.

[eabaker]

They'd be better adapting fresher monsters into this universe or at least something different.

The whole point of this is to capitalize on the iconic value of the monsters they've used in the past, though.

Although, of course, none of the classic versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde were Universal productions, unless you want to count Abbot & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as a "classic." Or the 26 minute version they made in 1913...

[Tohosaurus]

The whole point of this is to capitalize on the iconic value of the monsters they've used in the past, though.

Although, of course, none of the classic versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde were Universal productions, unless you want to count Abbot & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as a "classic." Or the 26 minute version they made in 1913...

Which is my point in them needing a blend of classic and new. Only so many of those classics have remotely the amount of interest equity that would make them successful. Even the major monsters have often performed meagerly at best.

[eabaker]

The whole point of this is to capitalize on the iconic value of the monsters they've used in the past, though.

Although, of course, none of the classic versions of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde were Universal productions, unless you want to count Abbot & Costello Meet Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde as a "classic." Or the 26 minute version they made in 1913...

Which is my point in them needing a blend of classic and new. Only so many of those classics have remotely the amount of interest equity that would make them successful. Even the major monsters have often performed meagerly at best.

But what "interest equity" would they be drawing on with completely new monsters?

What they need, in my opinion, is to approach the properties story-first, rather than marketing/release-date/shared-universe-value-first.

[GodzillaFan1990's]

Mostly because it's performing so poorly in its domestic market, both financially and critically. Another (less China-centric Warcraft).

I stand corrected, domestically it might be failing yes but otherwise its honestly on a good track globally having made twice its budget. I thought all that mattered was how much money a movie makes that continues a franchise not critics and all that...

[Tohosaurus]

But what "interest equity" would they be drawing on with completely new monsters?

What they need, in my opinion, is to approach the properties story-first, rather than marketing/release-date/shared-universe-value-first.

Something newer, eerier, as Fox did with Alien or Preds. That could still include something existing though, like Gill-Man. By not being adapted much (certainly not recently), it's much less stale than ANOTHER Frankenstein book adaptation. I agree with you second point as well.

I stand corrected, domestically it might be failing yes but otherwise its honestly on a good track globally having made twice its budget. I thought all that mattered was how much money a movie makes that continues a franchise not critics and all that...

That's it though. This movie could do well enough but if it isn't liked then hype for sequels and universes could decline (think of a certain 1998 Sony movie). Or maybe it'll be the next Transformers.

[GodzillaFan1990's]

That's it though. This movie could do well enough but if it isn't liked then hype for sequels and universes could decline (think of a certain 1998 Sony movie)

Hmmm that's true, never thought of that honestly.

[GalacticPetey]

I think we should redirect efforts towards making a better film adaptation of the Phantom of the Opera musical. Hopefully with some better singers. The 2004 version was awful.

[Zarm]

I think we should redirect efforts towards making a better film adaptation of the Phantom of the Opera musical. Hopefully with some better singers. The 2004 version was awful.

And made by someone that understands that "Scare off the ghosts of the past with a little illumination" should be a ramp-up line, not a calm-before-the-storm half-whisper.

Sorry, that's always been a pet peeve. (As if that is somehow the film's biggest flaw...)


(...Which is clearly the bizarre choice to render the 'think of it, a secret engagement' exchange as dialogue even though it still rhymes...)

[GalacticPetey]

I think we should redirect efforts towards making a better film adaptation of the Phantom of the Opera musical. Hopefully with some better singers. The 2004 version was awful.

And made by someone that understands that "Scare off the ghosts of the past with a little illumination" should be a ramp-up line, not a calm-before-the-storm half-whisper.

Sorry, that's always been a pet peeve. (As if that is somehow the film's biggest flaw...)


(...Which is clearly the bizarre choice to render the 'think of it, a secret engagement' exchange as dialogue even though it still rhymes...)

You know what, just release the filmed version of the 25th Anniversary version in theaters. Ramin and Sierra are my personal favorite Phantom and Christine anyway.

[ernesth100]

Also you can def see Dracula is being set up as the big bad, but also saw props from Creature from the Black Lagoon and The Wolfman.

Really? Thought it'd be Set that's being built up as the Ultimate Big Bad...Would honestly make more sense considering how powerful he is in the Mythology...If that's not the case then though...

Marvel Cinematic Universe: Thanos

DC Extended Universe: Darkseid

MonsterVerse: King Ghidorah

Dark Universe: Dracula

Seems legit.

That seems legit. A lot to look forward too.

[MandaSaurus]

Shouldn't this be re-named the Dark Universe thread? That's what Universal is calling it...

[eabaker]

Shouldn't this be re-named the Dark Universe thread? That's what Universal is calling it...

Yeah, but that's not really very descriptive, and I highly doubt the general public is ever going to adopt it.

And it's pretentious and dumb.

[Zarm]

And it's pretentious and dumb.

Or we could just rename the thread to that, then lock it. It's pretty much the last word on this franchise anyway...

[SteveIrwinFan96]

Channing Tatum is reportedly wanted by Universal for Van Helsing and Jolie is still wanted for the Bride of Frankenstein: https://www.comicbookmovie.com/monsters ... in-a152670.

[Tyrant_Lizard_King]

God stop putting Tatum in stuff! I like the guy fine as a person but he'll stick out worse than Tom Cruise.

[LegendaryGoji]

The Mummy was a horrible start to this. Universal should have gone the full horror route instead of copying Marvel in tone and taking absolutely nothing else of what makes their movies successful.

Also hiring a writer with no directorial theatrical feature credits? Not the brightest of ideas.

[The One and Only]

Channing Tatum is reportedly wanted by Universal for Van Helsing and Jolie is still wanted for the Bride of Frankenstein: https://www.comicbookmovie.com/monsters ... in-a152670.

Top of my list to play Abraham Van Helsing, who I picture as that cool college professor type. Old enough to look like he's been around the block a few times. Seen some things. But no so old he can't kick butt. Peter Capaldi would be perfect for role.