I would LOVE to see Hugh Jackman as VanHelsing again. I loved that movie so much as a kid. I think you're right that VanHelsing would be the best character to link films in a "Dark Universe" setting.
@@thethriftytypewriter I agree with Van Helsing being the glue and all the monsters need to be vicious and a legitimate threat and monster squad showed it doesn't need to be a global threat... .it could all take place in Transylvania or at least the end game fight I think a straight horror dark universe can work ....I'll give the mummy this, they kept her a legit threat and bad ass villain....a sympathetic villian won't work with the universal monsters with the exception of wolf man I did however like the Anthony Hopkins "giving into the beast" twist ... that's a good way to keep the wolf man even more vicious
I'd seen van helsing about a dozen or so times but no viewing was mote personal and gave me hours to study break down and analyze movies like the mummy franchise hanzel and greatle van helsing and others Linking and chaining together the events wardrobe, symbology and little indicators as to a potential and amazing universe idea just laying the tracks for a cannon Bible could and would likely be enough to let the films write themselves. The power of ruptured stomach ulcers and near death stacked with Just breathing and trying not to drown in my own fluids for 12 days in hospital and another 5 weeks in my own bed to recover to give me loads of time to screen write and plan a superior dark universe using hammer horror and adapting semimodern folklore ti blend it all. The drugs were talking. Much like they were for whoever framed Tom cruise in a horror flick wtf yo
I really hope dark universe gets a second try, it would be amazing to get these iconic film monsters not only on screen again but in a combined world. At the very least, it wouldn’t be another superhero franchise. I do love them, but they are just everywhere. Plus I’d be a great way to get some of the lesser loved characters some time to shine, like the Gilman (creature from black lagoon) would be amazing to finally see again
7:07 lmaoooo its funny how that Spongebob clip really encapsulates the A24 vibe; ominous and ambiguous horror happening while a choir does ghost noises
I think The Dark Universe was doomed it began. I the remember the initial coverage of this universe. It all sounded good until two things were said. We're aiming at making the Dark Universe PG-13 and exciting as possible. You bring up the best point, they weren't horror movies. They were action movies with horror aspects. The Dark Universe should have been a hard R horror franchise. It would have been great competition at that time.
I went to the theatre to see the Tom Cruise The Mummy and what a waste. I truly felt that Tom Cruise was miscast and it just felt like a Tom Cruise action movie. I liked Russell Crowe as Jekyll/Hyde though.
The Reason why it was bad was because Tom Cruise was THE Problem and honestly, I would've picked either Sam Worthington or Justin Long instead of Tom Cruise.
The Brendan Fraser Mummy is a remake of The Boris Karloff Classic and also, I did enjoy Dracula Untold. As for The Mummy 2017, Universal should've picked either Sam Worthington or Justin Long instead of Tom Cruise as Nick Morton.
I so wanted this to work. When I first heard about the “Dark Universe “, I was like a kid at Christmas. Yet, not to be. I own The Mummy 2017 on DVD, and think there was just too much going on in the first film. Should have spared some of the plot points for other projects.
Dracula Untold is possibly my favourite vampire movie of all time to be honest and if there was no Dark Universe I'd have just loved a Dracula Untold movie trilogy or something
Such an under rated movie. Sad to think that despite how much better it is, the next big attempt at a cgi vampire movie; morbius, would become infamous for how bad it is, yet they somehow got very similar ratings from both critics and audiences.
Really underrated, original and brilliantly written...It had some technical flaws but it should have been the true start for the Dark Universe, but awful 'Mummy' blew it all!
The Mummy(1999) could've start the Dark Universe, nine years before the MCU began with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk in 2008. Sadly, that never became a reality but I'll always take the tail end of the millennium's Mummy with Brendan Fraser over the 2017 Tom Cruise version, because it felt more like a Cruise oriented action film rather than pay respects to both the 1932 original and 1999 reimagining(it was handled 75% by Tom Cruise, an active member of the controversial Church of Scientology, the man who kept going on an on with the Mission Impossible series for no reason but as the main lead akin to Bruce Willis and Die Hard, and The Mummy 2017 trailer forgetting to have music and SFX, worsening the movie's flaws prior to release). Still, Universal had their Monster Universe before the late 90s roughly in the 30s to 50s, but someday might make a comeback in greater form, as a reminder to learn from a failed attempt at leeching off the MCU's success.
Its a shame about it because ironically enough Universal had the first cinematic universe (Frankenstein meets the Wolfman, House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula) and those films are very much liked. All they really had to do was to make some solo films, do a few versus films akin to Frankenstein meets the Wolfman, and then have a big avenger's type meetup, and they could've had a good universe there.
I think the Dark Universe should have it's own identity instead of trying to do what Marvel or even DC is doing. Just like how the name suggest it should be dark, creepy, moody, gothic, maybe poetic, these are classic monster movies with a style that definitely withstand the test of time so it would be cool if they expanded upon them instead of making them big superhero movies.
I feel the exact same! This is one of the reasons I loved Dracula Untold so much. It was supposed to be part of the Universe, but it was dark, gothic in its mix of tragedy and romanticism, while still having the feeling of an 'epic'. The Mummy (2017) tanked the Universe because it was trying way too hard to be as quirky as Marvel movies. Universal shot themselves in the foot with that one.
I think that connecting an unknown entity responsible for the supernatural to the films could make for a Bridge between the full blown horror movies, Sort of a Cthlhu or Turtle(from IT) type beast that is never seen but its precense is felt and talked about.
Honestly I’d prefer if they called it the “Universal Monster Universe” instead of The Dark Universe. But seriously I would’ve loved to see this come to alive but more horror and I’ll make even fantasy themed concept as well come to life and become successful.
My pick was World of Monsters, where the W and M are identical but upside down/mirrored *with pointy claws/fangs), and in the Universal logo they holds the Earth inbetween.
The original Dark Universe shocked the world because they never saw the like of it before. It was Gothic, romantic, sinister, poetic, frightening and macabre with humour that evolved from the elements of each story. The original Dark Universe did not have "movie stars" it had actors who gave pathos and meaning to the characters. Most of these were written in the Victorian era, when people were fascinated by the macabre and conflicts of morality. When Hammer made their versions they introduced blood and a sexuality that was more telling than before, and again used actors, not stars. DRACULA: He is cursed with an immortality, the story tells the horror of that, and the penalty ( consuming blood ) that needs to be performed to sustain it. Although thought of as the epitome of evil, he fears God and fears death. FRANKENSTEIN: The point of the story was, why man should not play God, and consequences of when he does. He is so focused on creating life that he doesn't realise how far from humanity he keeps going away from, and that it is he and not his creation that is the monster. THE MUMMY: Being buried alive because he fell in love, he has spent thousands of years of a living hell, that once released nothing can stop his revenge. THE WOLFMAN: Cursed by circumstance out of his control, the story is about him trying to find a cure while trying not to kill the people whom he cares about.
To succeed with a Dark Universe, each story has to be organic with a genuine Gothic and unsettling atmosphere. These are human stories, that reflect the frailties of the the human mind. We need to go back to original movies to see why are we still watching them, and will we watch the modern film in 90 years time.
There was going to be a John carpenter reimagining of “the creature from the black lagoon” that would have borrowed elements from Lovecraft and had a lot going for it, but universal passed on it to make jaws 3d…
I don't care what anyone says, Dracula Untold was one of the greatest takes on Dracula I've ever seen. I had no idea I would absolutely love an "origin story" let alone that this WAS an origin story to begin with. While the action was amazing it was character building and the story that truly made it incredible for me. If you have not seen this movie go watch it. You will not be disappointed I promise you.
I fell they should’ve had the wolf man 2010 , and Dracula untold be the start of their universe , because that would’ve given them time to plan things for the future
That was kind of the plan, actually; Originally the 2010 Wolfman reboot was meant to be the first start, but then Universal decided to shift it over to Dracula Untold for the second start because they were waiting to see what Marvel was gonna do, so then Dracula Untold became the second start. However, after Untold got relatively meh reception, they decided that The Mummy would be the actual start.
So...here me out, Henry Jekyll is introduced in his own movie which strougle with his mortality and his darker (evil) alter mr hyde, then we get a vanHelsing gets a movie and by the end becomes an emortal, then we get monster movies that appear disconnected but after say...6 monster films we can get a movie titled " the monster hunter", in which Jekyll recruits vanHelsing to hunt down all these monsters( and it would be like it version of endgame, going for no more then 3 hours of just blood, mutilation and of course monster murder)
The actors for these movies COULD NOT be actions heroes and pretty boys. If I see the Rock I’m immediately turned off from anything and everything that could happen. It should be charismatic and primarily English actors who are used to playing olden day folk or villains. Think Sleepy Hollow.
I think we have our DARK UNIVERSE: - The Wolfman with Benicio DelToro - The Mummy 1999 - Dracula Untold (yes, it counts) - The Shape Of Water - Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon - Phantom of the Opera with Gerard Butler - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Keneth Brannagh) OR Victor Frankenstein with James MacAvoy - Dorian Gray with Ben Barnes - Mary Reilly (Jekyll & Hyde) with Julia Roberts - Van Helsing & League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as an extra Goodie
I can tell you exactly where the Dark Universe went wrong, making a Tom Cruise movie instead of making a mummy movie. It was Mission Impossible sprinkled with some Egyptian visual effects. Disgraceful.
If I were to do a shared cinematic universe based around the Universal Monsters, this is how I would do it: Hire filmmakers who are primarily known for horror to work on it, have it be set in the late 19th century - early 20th century, maybe have Van Helsing be at the centre of it, have them be R-rated movies, have them be more smaller budgeted movies so you don't go loosing $100 million plus at the box office, maybe have Dracula be the overarching villain of a series of movies, don't cast super big-named stars.
If you were to create a cinematic universe and link these monster movies together, there needs to be an element that connects to all of them in some shape or form. The Mummy could've been the secret origin of vampirism. A substance used to bring the Frankenstein monster to life, could've originated in South America.
I don’t see a movie with Tom Cruise and The Rock together. Considering it was rumored that Tom Cruise rewrote much of the film for him to be the superhero type character and it shows. Both actors seem to have large egos and main character syndrome. Tom Cruise with his stunts and The Rock with his “can’t loose a fight” clause in his contract
Dark Universe would have been good. First few minutes sums up the issue. The reboot was not fun and has no consistent story. I think having modern horror directora do this the tone would clash. James Wan is very different from Peeles style.
I think they got a second chance and a way to revive/reboot the dark universe. Universal is releasing another Nosferatu remake and another wolf man remake pretty soon and they both look promising and could set up a dark universe. An anthology series of movies that leave possibilities for crossovers
If they had started with anything other then the Mummy it would have went differently. Everyone was ruined for Mummy Movies after Brendan Frasier. It was doomed to fail.
I really want to see a new mummy movie succeed, so 2017 was a bit of a let down. Doesn't help that tom cruise kinda had to much creative freedom with the film and made it more about himself (the man's older than Russell Crowe and put a line in the script about being a younger man). The Mummy 1999 is one of my favourite movies ever and I love Egyptian mythology, so I want to see more of it on the big screen, but with a good story and not a convoluted mess.
You know I really wanted this to work and I hope one day they get it right and make this cinematic universe I think Universal's mistake was having Tom Cruise onborde giving him creative control and having it not focus on its a lot on its titled character.
VanHelsing. Was the key to all of that. But they screw it up badly. Vanhelsing book. Of monster he faced. Trying to find his books has been lost. Each book describe how to kill or capture an monster. Its like Stones from marvel.
The 90s Mummy was good for what it was but it's tone wouldn't be able to carry a cinematic universe. What the Dark Universe should have done was go back to its roots by doing things how the origonal monster films did. If you really look at them the classic universal monster films was the original cinematic universe before a good 100 years or close to before Marvel ever did.
If only they've made it in the 2000s ? It would sell lots of tickets my favorite dark universe movies is the mummy trilogy alongside Brendan Fraser ,but tom cruise didn't really do it for me.
For me that put a sour taste in my mouth was the "Look here are some actors we're going to use" instead of the Marvel way of thinking of the story and finding actors to fit those roles. Most of the actors hadn't been in super duper A list celebs (bar a few like Samuel Jackson and Robert Downy) they picked people who ARE those roles. Not just using them as a cash cow. Plus timing was wrong. I think back on the 2000s universal were intimidated by POTC. If they waited for the trilogy to be over, the public would have been open to a new franchise. Instead they missed it and Super Heroes took over and they realised The Mummy too early into the "end" of the Super hero timescale. (Endgame)
Right now would be good to reboot those movies because I don’t know if it’s me but these movies now a days suck. They need to make them like the mummy action comedy.
Eh, same level as it’s always been. When you look at the good movies and the bad and the meh and how many people go “WE ARE SO BACK” just to say “MODERN MOVIES SUCK” on the flip of a dime, yeah it’s just the same level as it’s always been. Very inconsistent. Also those movies u referred to weren’t exactly good either and idk about making what prob should be a horror movie an action comedy in a dark universe with universal horror monsters. But I do think it’s a fun idea to have an Indiana jones like adventure movie ft. a mummy
Imma be honest; I'm actually really tired of shared universe if only because people and exects with zero clue or creativity just jumped on it thinking it was an easy money printer but more often than not, it's a boring waste of viewers' time. I have more respect for people that can make one strong stand-alone movie than some jackass trying to force a bunch of movies that have vauge similarities and themes as a 'shared universe' who then later acts as if they're the one who came up with the idea, thus we're obligated to kiss their ass. These studios didn't strike when the iron was hot. They tried to sharpie over someone else's name while having none of the stuff needed to back up their big project ideas. But most of all, like you said they lacked fun and excitement. The Fraiser Mummy movies ARE fun and filled with energy as well as being 'period pieces' as opposed to everything being set at current date at the time. It was like the mindset going on was that audiences will accept any and all movies if they're set in a 'shared universe' without thinking once about making the movie actually engaging, PERIOD. "That movie was boring as shit but at least it's a shared universe movie!"
i just think on my opinion,perhaps fun wouldnt be the thing need to rediscover, i think it should return to 1930’s to 1940’s horror route , modern horror might work but without this element, it will not work.
Hey Matt....The first two episodes of 1899 were shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.....do you know any more about it? Will you make a video soon?
Starting off the universe with a remake of an already beloved classic and then having a huge name attached to that movie was a bad idea. Not only am I going to be thinking of the better, more fun, version of this remake but I’m also going to be thinking about the other movies Tom Cruise was in. To add to that, The Mummy 2017 just looked bland and uninspiring, so then the movie itself just ends up being Tom Cruise Action Movie #27. Nothing wrong with Tom Cruise either, but having him in your movie is just jarring cause I can’t stop thinking of Top Gun every time he’s on screen. All in all, it’s a shame the Dark Universe wasn’t handled with more care because it would have been nice to see those classic monsters with todays tech and film techniques.
So I really like your videos have been watching quite a few of them. But you mention how Dark Universe couldn't have worked with all the creatures together and that isn't true. Dark Universe was supposed to be a modern take on the Universal Monsters which had done the whole crossover and existing in the same universe long before probably anyone, at least certainly the MCU anyways. Also Monster Squad is a really good example. I don't know how well it did when it came out but I was a fan from the beginning and it has a cult following now I'm sure. But I do agree with you that they should have took their time and mapped out their universe. They should have worried more about quality and maybe stuck with what had already worked. Not worrying about quality is I think one of the reasons why the DCEU failed, although it obviously still did way better than the Dark Universe.
Firstly go back to the source material, do not reimagine, reinvent or any other stupid idea you might have. Secondly no big names and certainly not Tom Frickin Cruise, Tom Cruise plays Tom Cruise, one of the most overated actors on the planet. As soon as i saw TC attached to The Mummy i knew it would suck and it did, Sofia did good with what she had but she is no good as the mummy. Less is more should also be your watch word. I will admit the idea or Depp or Crowe especially as Dr Jekyl did intrigue me and Crowe was the best part of The Mummy anyway. Penny Dreaful managed to do this abiet on a smaller scale but it was still good. For me Penny Dreadful is the original Dark Universe.
I agree with you, because Tom Cruise was THE Problem with The Mummy and from what I have heard he had his people tailor it to be all about him when Sofia Boutella was THE Real Star. I am not surprised that she got screwed over by that Circus Midget for The Mummy wasn't the 1st film that he wrecked with his ego, according to R. Lee Ermey in an interview from 2006 it was Stanley Kubrick's last film Eyes Wide Shut that Tom Cruise destroyed. If I was Universal, I would've gone for Justin Long as Nick Morton instead of Tom Cruise because why have a franchise centered around a man who was pushing but is now 60 as the face of your shared universe as well as come with baggage, not to mention Justin Long would've been better because he was 37-38 at the time and he is just 6 years older than Annabelle Wallis. Also, just like how Dracula Untold was set in Romania, The Mummy should've been set in Egypt instead of Iraq and England.
You would have to reimagine the time a little bit, and origin but here we go... Van Helsing - Hunts Monsters Bride of Frankenstein - VH wife Dracula - Kills VH wife Wolfman - is hunted by young VH and Dr. Moreau Dr.Moreau - becomes mad scientist along side Dr. Frankenstein Dr. F - creates Monster and moster Bride from part of mummys wrap Mummy - comes to life from cursed wrap Blob and Human Fly are created on Dr.M island Invisible man - Accidental exposure as Dr.M assistant
Stop making monsters “the good guys”, instead reinvent them with a good story where they’re actually scarier and evil, and even modernized like they did with the 2020 invisible man. (You don’t see Chucky being a good guy after all these years, lol).
To be honest. I would of loved to see the monster-verse take off. Could of had such a unique tone being it’s not superhero content and it has a much more gory, bloody, “mature” sort of hardened implied Nate’s
I think they should have focused on making more stylistic horror movies instead of action cashgrabs. It should be a spiritual cinematic universe. Here's my slate pitch: The Universe Name: Dark Monster Universe 1) THE DRACULA : I think it should be the proper adaptation of Bran Stroker's Novel. It should be stylistic gothic horror. It should be directed by Robert Eggers. Christian Bale is my ideal Dracula. 2) Dracula Year Zero : It will be a prequel to the dracula movie. It should be the same movie as Dracula Untold with some minor changes. Christian Bale will be Vlad the Impaler. 3) Creature from the black lagoon: It will be directed by Guillermo Del Toro. It will be the same movie as the shape of water. I think creature should be played by cillian murphy. 4) Frankenstein: It should also be directed by Guillermo Del Toro. Doctor Frankenstein should be played by Oscar Isaac and the Monster should be played by Andrew Garfield. 5) The Mummy: I would prefer a really scary version of The Mummy closer to something like the 1999 film. 6) The Wolf Man: I think it should be similar to the 2010 movie with minor changes. I think it should be played by Jake Gyllenhal. 7) Nosferatu: It will also be directed by Robert Eggers. Nosferatu should be played Bill Skarsgard. 8) The Invisible Man : It will be the same as the 2020 movie.
![เปิดบ้าน โคตรสวย ป๋องกพล รู้จักตั้งนาน เพิ่งรู้ว่ารวย!!! l [Nickynachat]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tmgCF_2HfYI/mqdefault.jpg)
I would LOVE to see Hugh Jackman as VanHelsing again. I loved that movie so much as a kid. I think you're right that VanHelsing would be the best character to link films in a "Dark Universe" setting.
Would love another Van Helsing film starring Hugh! Would be awesome!
@@thethriftytypewriter
I agree with Van Helsing being the glue and all the monsters need to be vicious and a legitimate threat and monster squad showed it doesn't need to be a global threat... .it could all take place in Transylvania or at least the end game fight
I think a straight horror dark universe can work ....I'll give the mummy this, they kept her a legit threat and bad ass villain....a sympathetic villian won't work with the universal monsters with the exception of wolf man
I did however like the Anthony Hopkins "giving into the beast" twist ... that's a good way to keep the wolf man even more vicious
I'd seen van helsing about a dozen or so times but no viewing was mote personal and gave me hours to study break down and analyze movies like the mummy franchise hanzel and greatle van helsing and others Linking and chaining together the events wardrobe, symbology and little indicators as to a potential and amazing universe idea just laying the tracks for a cannon Bible could and would likely be enough to let the films write themselves. The power of ruptured stomach ulcers and near death stacked with Just breathing and trying not to drown in my own fluids for 12 days in hospital and another 5 weeks in my own bed to recover to give me loads of time to screen write and plan a superior dark universe using hammer horror and adapting semimodern folklore ti blend it all. The drugs were talking. Much like they were for whoever framed Tom cruise in a horror flick wtf yo
I know some people didn't like Van Helsing, but I thought it was a good movie
Bro i have el vanhelsing vhs,what a good monster movie.
The Werewolf design from Van Helsing was the absolute GOAT! Why don't more stories use that great design?
Werewolves in 2004 have yet to be beat. Harry Potter Prisoner of Azkaban and Van Helsing. What a time.
@@thethriftytypewriter I mean we're in 2022! Shameful that we can't have a design like that, I mean that's a real werewolf you know?
The van helsing werewolf designs are my absolute favourite
This and the Underworld werewolves are top notch
Great design, just not a fan of the transformation, but it did fit the film, especially for the fight scene.
Branden Frazier was 😍 and I was obsessed with anything Egypt then so I would watch the movies on repeat. And van hellsing was so good😭😭
Right! I love both The Mummy and Van Helsing!
I really hope dark universe gets a second try, it would be amazing to get these iconic film monsters not only on screen again but in a combined world. At the very least, it wouldn’t be another superhero franchise. I do love them, but they are just everywhere. Plus I’d be a great way to get some of the lesser loved characters some time to shine, like the Gilman (creature from black lagoon) would be amazing to finally see again
Dark Universe deserves a second chance!
7:07 lmaoooo its funny how that Spongebob clip really encapsulates the A24 vibe; ominous and ambiguous horror happening while a choir does ghost noises
I actually really enjoyed Dracula untold. But it’s no 1999 Mummy and the classic it is.
The Boris Karloff film is The Classic while The Brendan Fraser Mummy was a remake.
I think The Dark Universe was doomed it began. I the remember the initial coverage of this universe. It all sounded good until two things were said.
We're aiming at making the Dark Universe PG-13 and exciting as possible.
You bring up the best point, they weren't horror movies. They were action movies with horror aspects.
The Dark Universe should have been a hard R horror franchise. It would have been great competition at that time.
I went to the theatre to see the Tom Cruise The Mummy and what a waste. I truly felt that Tom Cruise was miscast and it just felt like a Tom Cruise action movie. I liked Russell Crowe as Jekyll/Hyde though.
The Reason why it was bad was because Tom Cruise was THE Problem and honestly, I would've picked either Sam Worthington or Justin Long instead of Tom Cruise.
TBH, I think Cruise was only cast so they could have a big name to put on the poster.
True like the mummy is scary@@stainshield
@@roberttreacy8271OMG TRUE😭😭
The Brendan Fraser Mummy is a remake of The Boris Karloff Classic and also, I did enjoy Dracula Untold. As for The Mummy 2017, Universal should've picked either Sam Worthington or Justin Long instead of Tom Cruise as Nick Morton.
I didn’t know that Dracula Untold was supposed to be related to this but I loved it
I so wanted this to work. When I first heard about the “Dark Universe “, I was like a kid at Christmas. Yet, not to be. I own The Mummy 2017 on DVD, and think there was just too much going on in the first film. Should have spared some of the plot points for other projects.
That movie is fine, if u don't think deep of it
Dracula Untold is by far one of the most underrated movies ever, I need part 2 with or without the shared universe
Well you got your wish lol they're working on it right now.
@@rc59191 me when i spread misinformation on the internet
@@rc59191Oh really,so than mean dark universe....OMG🤭🤭🤭
Dracula Untold is possibly my favourite vampire movie of all time to be honest and if there was no Dark Universe I'd have just loved a Dracula Untold movie trilogy or something
Such an under rated movie. Sad to think that despite how much better it is, the next big attempt at a cgi vampire movie; morbius, would become infamous for how bad it is, yet they somehow got very similar ratings from both critics and audiences.
Really underrated, original and brilliantly written...It had some technical flaws but it should have been the true start for the Dark Universe, but awful 'Mummy' blew it all!
The Mummy(1999) could've start the Dark Universe, nine years before the MCU began with Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk in 2008. Sadly, that never became a reality but I'll always take the tail end of the millennium's Mummy with Brendan Fraser over the 2017 Tom Cruise version, because it felt more like a Cruise oriented action film rather than pay respects to both the 1932 original and 1999 reimagining(it was handled 75% by Tom Cruise, an active member of the controversial Church of Scientology, the man who kept going on an on with the Mission Impossible series for no reason but as the main lead akin to Bruce Willis and Die Hard, and The Mummy 2017 trailer forgetting to have music and SFX, worsening the movie's flaws prior to release). Still, Universal had their Monster Universe before the late 90s roughly in the 30s to 50s, but someday might make a comeback in greater form, as a reminder to learn from a failed attempt at leeching off the MCU's success.
I agree Tom was the problem he change a lot of secen and had the last word
Its a shame about it because ironically enough Universal had the first cinematic universe (Frankenstein meets the Wolfman, House of Frankenstein, House of Dracula) and those films are very much liked. All they really had to do was to make some solo films, do a few versus films akin to Frankenstein meets the Wolfman, and then have a big avenger's type meetup, and they could've had a good universe there.
I think the Dark Universe should have it's own identity instead of trying to do what Marvel or even DC is doing. Just like how the name suggest it should be dark, creepy, moody, gothic, maybe poetic, these are classic monster movies with a style that definitely withstand the test of time so it would be cool if they expanded upon them instead of making them big superhero movies.
I feel the exact same! This is one of the reasons I loved Dracula Untold so much. It was supposed to be part of the Universe, but it was dark, gothic in its mix of tragedy and romanticism, while still having the feeling of an 'epic'. The Mummy (2017) tanked the Universe because it was trying way too hard to be as quirky as Marvel movies. Universal shot themselves in the foot with that one.
I think that connecting an unknown entity responsible for the supernatural to the films could make for a Bridge between the full blown horror movies, Sort of a Cthlhu or Turtle(from IT) type beast that is never seen but its precense is felt and talked about.
Honestly I’d prefer if they called it the “Universal Monster Universe” instead of The Dark Universe. But seriously I would’ve loved to see this come to alive but more horror and I’ll make even fantasy themed concept as well come to life and become successful.
My pick was World of Monsters, where the W and M are identical but upside down/mirrored *with pointy claws/fangs), and in the Universal logo they holds the Earth inbetween.
May i direct you to "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen"? Such a fantastic movie.
The original Dark Universe shocked the world because they never saw the like of it before.
It was Gothic, romantic, sinister, poetic, frightening and macabre with humour that evolved from the elements of each story.
The original Dark Universe did not have "movie stars" it had actors who gave pathos and meaning to the characters. Most of these were written in the Victorian era, when people were fascinated by the macabre and conflicts of morality.
When Hammer made their versions they introduced blood and a sexuality that was more telling than before, and again used actors, not stars.
DRACULA: He is cursed with an immortality, the story tells the horror of that, and the penalty ( consuming blood ) that needs to be performed to sustain it. Although thought of as the epitome of evil, he fears God and fears death.
FRANKENSTEIN: The point of the story was, why man should not play God, and consequences of when he does. He is so focused on creating life that he doesn't realise how far from humanity he keeps going away from, and that it is he and not his creation that is the monster.
THE MUMMY: Being buried alive because he fell in love, he has spent thousands of years of a living hell, that once released nothing can stop his revenge.
THE WOLFMAN: Cursed by circumstance out of his control, the story is about him trying to find a cure while trying not to kill the people whom he cares about.
To succeed with a Dark Universe, each story has to be organic with a genuine Gothic and unsettling atmosphere.
These are human stories, that reflect the frailties of the the human mind. We need to go back to original movies to see why are we still watching them, and will we watch the modern film in 90 years time.
We were robbed of so many good movies that will probably never be made.
There was going to be a John carpenter reimagining of “the creature from the black lagoon” that would have borrowed elements from Lovecraft and had a lot going for it, but universal passed on it to make jaws 3d…
I don't care what anyone says, Dracula Untold was one of the greatest takes on Dracula I've ever seen. I had no idea I would absolutely love an "origin story" let alone that this WAS an origin story to begin with. While the action was amazing it was character building and the story that truly made it incredible for me. If you have not seen this movie go watch it. You will not be disappointed I promise you.
A truly brilliant Dracula story and a movie that should have had better marketing!
I watched it and it’s pretty cool
What wasted the move is that it was a Tom Cruise movie not a Dark Universe one.
They need to make a Dracula Untold sequel!
I fell they should’ve had the wolf man 2010 , and Dracula untold be the start of their universe , because that would’ve given them time to plan things for the future
That was kind of the plan, actually; Originally the 2010 Wolfman reboot was meant to be the first start, but then Universal decided to shift it over to Dracula Untold for the second start because they were waiting to see what Marvel was gonna do, so then Dracula Untold became the second start. However, after Untold got relatively meh reception, they decided that The Mummy would be the actual start.
the mummy and vanhelsing are my two favourite films that I go back and watch again and again, todays films I wouldnt even want to watch once
So...here me out,
Henry Jekyll is introduced in his own movie which strougle with his mortality and his darker (evil) alter mr hyde, then we get a vanHelsing gets a movie and by the end becomes an emortal, then we get monster movies that appear disconnected but after say...6 monster films we can get a movie titled " the monster hunter", in which Jekyll recruits vanHelsing to hunt down all these monsters( and it would be like it version of endgame, going for no more then 3 hours of just blood, mutilation and of course monster murder)
Universal said they might still do it after the 2020 invisible man movie did well
I hope soo. Actually it's a great ideal. If they went the ED route with the Dead or zombies being the uniting factor.
The actors for these movies COULD NOT be actions heroes and pretty boys. If I see the Rock I’m immediately turned off from anything and everything that could happen. It should be charismatic and primarily English actors who are used to playing olden day folk or villains. Think Sleepy Hollow.
I think we have our DARK UNIVERSE:
- The Wolfman with Benicio DelToro
- The Mummy 1999
- Dracula Untold (yes, it counts)
- The Shape Of Water
- Hollow Man with Kevin Bacon
- Phantom of the Opera with Gerard Butler
- Mary Shelley's Frankenstein (Keneth Brannagh) OR Victor Frankenstein with James MacAvoy
- Dorian Gray with Ben Barnes
- Mary Reilly (Jekyll & Hyde) with Julia Roberts
- Van Helsing & League of Extraordinary Gentlemen as an extra Goodie
I can tell you exactly where the Dark Universe went wrong, making a Tom Cruise movie instead of making a mummy movie. It was Mission Impossible sprinkled with some Egyptian visual effects. Disgraceful.
If I were to do a shared cinematic universe based around the Universal Monsters, this is how I would do it: Hire filmmakers who are primarily known for horror to work on it, have it be set in the late 19th century - early 20th century, maybe have Van Helsing be at the centre of it, have them be R-rated movies, have them be more smaller budgeted movies so you don't go loosing $100 million plus at the box office, maybe have Dracula be the overarching villain of a series of movies, don't cast super big-named stars.
They murdered the ending of Dracula Untold. That was a great movie.
If you were to create a cinematic universe and link these monster movies together, there needs to be an element that connects to all of them in some shape or form. The Mummy could've been the secret origin of vampirism. A substance used to bring the Frankenstein monster to life, could've originated in South America.
Lol Scrift
That's funny, I've never heard that word before
I'm sorry the epic Gravity Falls music in the video is too distracting
Really liked Dracula untold, the 90s mummy movie and the Hugh jackman van helsing movie is one of my favorite movies 😊
I don’t see a movie with Tom Cruise and The Rock together. Considering it was rumored that Tom Cruise rewrote much of the film for him to be the superhero type character and it shows. Both actors seem to have large egos and main character syndrome. Tom Cruise with his stunts and The Rock with his “can’t loose a fight” clause in his contract
Dark Universe would have been good. First few minutes sums up the issue. The reboot was not fun and has no consistent story. I think having modern horror directora do this the tone would clash. James Wan is very different from Peeles style.
Dracula from the 90s is my favorite as well alongside the scorpion king with Dwayne Johnson the rock.
I used to watch the Mummy on reapeat on VHS when i was 5 years old 😂
I think they got a second chance and a way to revive/reboot the dark universe. Universal is releasing another Nosferatu remake and another wolf man remake pretty soon and they both look promising and could set up a dark universe. An anthology series of movies that leave possibilities for crossovers
They already have Werefolf, Van Helsing, Invisible Woman and Reinfield on the way.
I love that your intro music is from black ops 4 zombies
Best map on BO4 by far
@@thethriftytypewriter 100%
If they had started with anything other then the Mummy it would have went differently. Everyone was ruined for Mummy Movies after Brendan Frasier. It was doomed to fail.
I really want to see a new mummy movie succeed, so 2017 was a bit of a let down. Doesn't help that tom cruise kinda had to much creative freedom with the film and made it more about himself (the man's older than Russell Crowe and put a line in the script about being a younger man).
The Mummy 1999 is one of my favourite movies ever and I love Egyptian mythology, so I want to see more of it on the big screen, but with a good story and not a convoluted mess.
You know I really wanted this to work and I hope one day they get it right and make this cinematic universe I think Universal's mistake was having Tom Cruise onborde giving him creative control and having it not focus on its a lot on its titled character.
While I don’t find The Mummy (2017) as bad as some make it out to be, it definitely left a lot to be desired.
If we do see other Classic Horror MONSTER on the Big screen that's Hope It's Dr Jekyll And Mr Hyde that would make a prefect psychological thriller
The Mummy
Van Helsing
The Wolfman
Victor Frankenstein
Fear the Invisible Man
The Legend of Extra Ordinary Gentlemen
League*
Do more Connected universe videos please.
I think they pulled the plug way too soon
To me there are only three Dark Universe films The Mummy, The Mummy Returns and Van Helsing all from director Stephen Sommers
Universal really should of started the Dark Universe with the 1999 Mummy movie
I wish we had gotten at least one more dark universe film just to see if it could have worked
Is it just me or was that a version of the Gravity Falls theme around 2:24??
Idk it sounds very similar. I can't tell
If the dark universe was successful I bet the villain of the first team up movie would be an overpowered van helsing
I actually really enjoyed Dracula Untold
VanHelsing. Was the key to all of that. But they screw it up badly. Vanhelsing book. Of monster he faced. Trying to find his books has been lost. Each book describe how to kill or capture an monster. Its like Stones from marvel.
The 90s Mummy was good for what it was but it's tone wouldn't be able to carry a cinematic universe. What the Dark Universe should have done was go back to its roots by doing things how the origonal monster films did. If you really look at them the classic universal monster films was the original cinematic universe before a good 100 years or close to before Marvel ever did.
I really want a new Van Helsing sequel with Hugh Jackman or at least a new movie.
Alongside in the invisible man with kevin bacon.
If only they've made it in the 2000s ? It would sell lots of tickets my favorite dark universe movies is the mummy trilogy alongside Brendan Fraser ,but tom cruise didn't really do it for me.
For me that put a sour taste in my mouth was the "Look here are some actors we're going to use" instead of the Marvel way of thinking of the story and finding actors to fit those roles. Most of the actors hadn't been in super duper A list celebs (bar a few like Samuel Jackson and Robert Downy) they picked people who ARE those roles. Not just using them as a cash cow.
Plus timing was wrong. I think back on the 2000s universal were intimidated by POTC. If they waited for the trilogy to be over, the public would have been open to a new franchise. Instead they missed it and Super Heroes took over and they realised The Mummy too early into the "end" of the Super hero timescale. (Endgame)
Right now would be good to reboot those movies because I don’t know if it’s me but these movies now a days suck. They need to make them like the mummy action comedy.
Eh, same level as it’s always been. When you look at the good movies and the bad and the meh and how many people go “WE ARE SO BACK” just to say “MODERN MOVIES SUCK” on the flip of a dime, yeah it’s just the same level as it’s always been. Very inconsistent. Also those movies u referred to weren’t exactly good either and idk about making what prob should be a horror movie an action comedy in a dark universe with universal horror monsters. But I do think it’s a fun idea to have an Indiana jones like adventure movie ft. a mummy
Imma be honest; I'm actually really tired of shared universe if only because people and exects with zero clue or creativity just jumped on it thinking it was an easy money printer but more often than not, it's a boring waste of viewers' time.
I have more respect for people that can make one strong stand-alone movie than some jackass trying to force a bunch of movies that have vauge similarities and themes as a 'shared universe' who then later acts as if they're the one who came up with the idea, thus we're obligated to kiss their ass.
These studios didn't strike when the iron was hot. They tried to sharpie over someone else's name while having none of the stuff needed to back up their big project ideas. But most of all, like you said they lacked fun and excitement. The Fraiser Mummy movies ARE fun and filled with energy as well as being 'period pieces' as opposed to everything being set at current date at the time.
It was like the mindset going on was that audiences will accept any and all movies if they're set in a 'shared universe' without thinking once about making the movie actually engaging, PERIOD.
"That movie was boring as shit but at least it's a shared universe movie!"
Maybe make the dark universe an anthology type deal.
I think you’re forgetting about Abbott and Costello
i just think on my opinion,perhaps fun wouldnt be the thing need to rediscover, i think it should return to 1930’s to 1940’s horror route , modern horror might work but without this element, it will not work.
But there is a crossover with the dark universe tho, it's called Monsters vs Aliens 😂 😂
Forgot about that one! 😂
Maybe they could revive or reboot this universe by doing the same thing but fix the issues
Dark Universe deserves a second chance!
All i want is a book accuraye version of Frankenstein
Universal should have just ripped off castlevania make Dracula overarching threat time manipulating castle and boom ya done
Hey Matt....The first two episodes of 1899 were shown at the Toronto International Film Festival.....do you know any more about it? Will you make a video soon?
I’ll definitely be covering 1899 when it comes out! From what I hear the first episode was incredible.
@@thethriftytypewriter Heard that too! 9.5/10 on IMDB
Starting off the universe with a remake of an already beloved classic and then having a huge name attached to that movie was a bad idea. Not only am I going to be thinking of the better, more fun, version of this remake but I’m also going to be thinking about the other movies Tom Cruise was in. To add to that, The Mummy 2017 just looked bland and uninspiring, so then the movie itself just ends up being Tom Cruise Action Movie #27. Nothing wrong with Tom Cruise either, but having him in your movie is just jarring cause I can’t stop thinking of Top Gun every time he’s on screen. All in all, it’s a shame the Dark Universe wasn’t handled with more care because it would have been nice to see those classic monsters with todays tech and film techniques.
So I really like your videos have been watching quite a few of them. But you mention how Dark Universe couldn't have worked with all the creatures together and that isn't true. Dark Universe was supposed to be a modern take on the Universal Monsters which had done the whole crossover and existing in the same universe long before probably anyone, at least certainly the MCU anyways. Also Monster Squad is a really good example. I don't know how well it did when it came out but I was a fan from the beginning and it has a cult following now I'm sure. But I do agree with you that they should have took their time and mapped out their universe. They should have worried more about quality and maybe stuck with what had already worked. Not worrying about quality is I think one of the reasons why the DCEU failed, although it obviously still did way better than the Dark Universe.
Love n Thunder is a joke. But I do worship Brendan Fraser
I guess we're just ignoring hotel Transylvania exists and brought all them together?
Firstly go back to the source material, do not reimagine, reinvent or any other stupid idea you might have. Secondly no big names and certainly not Tom Frickin Cruise, Tom Cruise plays Tom Cruise, one of the most overated actors on the planet.
As soon as i saw TC attached to The Mummy i knew it would suck and it did, Sofia did good with what she had but she is no good as the mummy. Less is more should also be your watch word.
I will admit the idea or Depp or Crowe especially as Dr Jekyl did intrigue me and Crowe was the best part of The Mummy anyway.
Penny Dreaful managed to do this abiet on a smaller scale but it was still good. For me Penny Dreadful is the original Dark Universe.
I agree with you, because Tom Cruise was THE Problem with The Mummy and from what I have heard he had his people tailor it to be all about him when Sofia Boutella was THE Real Star. I am not surprised that she got screwed over by that Circus Midget for The Mummy wasn't the 1st film that he wrecked with his ego, according to R. Lee Ermey in an interview from 2006 it was Stanley Kubrick's last film Eyes Wide Shut that Tom Cruise destroyed. If I was Universal, I would've gone for Justin Long as Nick Morton instead of Tom Cruise because why have a franchise centered around a man who was pushing but is now 60 as the face of your shared universe as well as come with baggage, not to mention Justin Long would've been better because he was 37-38 at the time and he is just 6 years older than Annabelle Wallis. Also, just like how Dracula Untold was set in Romania, The Mummy should've been set in Egypt instead of Iraq and England.
Honestly Van Helsing wasn't perfect, but good God if it isn't my favourite movie
I don't get it...the last mummy with Tom was a good movie. Why do people reject it?...please don't tell me is cuz the original actor wasn't in it 😑
Because it was an awful movie. Casting Tom Cruise was a huge mistake. The film was supposed to be about the Mummy not Tom Cruise wanking himself.
You would have to reimagine the time a little bit, and origin but here we go...
Van Helsing - Hunts Monsters
Bride of Frankenstein - VH wife
Dracula - Kills VH wife
Wolfman - is hunted by young VH and Dr. Moreau
Dr.Moreau - becomes mad scientist along side Dr. Frankenstein
Dr. F - creates Monster and moster Bride from part of mummys wrap
Mummy - comes to life from cursed wrap
Blob and Human Fly are created on Dr.M island
Invisible man - Accidental exposure as Dr.M assistant
Stop making monsters “the good guys”, instead reinvent them with a good story where they’re actually scarier and evil, and even modernized like they did with the 2020 invisible man. (You don’t see Chucky being a good guy after all these years, lol).
I Love the Dracula show so much. But the third episode lost me a bit
Van Helsing is the only movie I have ever walked out of in the theater. Just awful!!!
Hot Take: The Mummy (2017) is a Great Movie!
WRONG!! Nah I'm kidding to each their own 😂
To be honest. I would of loved to see the monster-verse take off. Could of had such a unique tone being it’s not superhero content and it has a much more gory, bloody, “mature” sort of hardened implied Nate’s
There's already a Universal monster universe, its Upgrade (2018), and the Invisible Man (2020)
I think they should have focused on making more stylistic horror movies instead of action cashgrabs. It should be a spiritual cinematic universe. Here's my slate pitch:
The Universe Name: Dark Monster Universe
1) THE DRACULA : I think it should be the proper adaptation of Bran Stroker's Novel. It should be stylistic gothic horror. It should be directed by Robert Eggers. Christian Bale is my ideal Dracula.
2) Dracula Year Zero : It will be a prequel to the dracula movie. It should be the same movie as Dracula Untold with some minor changes. Christian Bale will be Vlad the Impaler.
3) Creature from the black lagoon: It will be directed by Guillermo Del Toro. It will be the same movie as the shape of water. I think creature should be played by cillian murphy.
4) Frankenstein: It should also be directed by Guillermo Del Toro. Doctor Frankenstein should be played by Oscar Isaac and the Monster should be played by Andrew Garfield.
5) The Mummy: I would prefer a really scary version of The Mummy closer to something like the 1999 film.
6) The Wolf Man: I think it should be similar to the 2010 movie with minor changes. I think it should be played by Jake Gyllenhal.
7) Nosferatu: It will also be directed by Robert Eggers. Nosferatu should be played Bill Skarsgard.
8) The Invisible Man : It will be the same as the 2020 movie.
Dracula untold is an amazing movie and so much better than the new Mummy movie The old mummy y movies are great. The Van Helsing movie was great also
They stopped all of this greatness just to let the M She U make us regret seeing movies.
Yea, I would not have added Jordan Peele into that list. His movies are weak and highly overrated at best
To each their own 🤷🏻♂️
Yeah. In yourface social commentary kills the fun of horror.