Dwayne Johnson Could Resurrect Universal's Failed Monster Universe

Universal Studios is betting on Dwayne Johnson to revive their monster movie dreams. After Tom Cruise's 2017 Mummy reboot crashed spectacularly, killing the Dark Universe before it started, the studio wants The Rock back as the Scorpion King.

Industry insider Daniel Richtman reports Universal is courting Johnson for both a new Scorpion King movie and the upcoming Mummy 4. The action star hasn't played Mathayus since 2002, when he launched his acting career in the role.

Johnson Open to Scorpion King Return

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Johnson didn't shut the door on a comeback. "Oh man, I don't know. I'm always open. To be clear, that is Brendan Fraser's franchise. I love that man. He's one of my greatest supporters. We support each other. And if they want to call the Scorpion King, I know a guy who knows a guy. I would certainly consider it. Because that franchise changed my life."

The timing makes sense. Fraser and Rachel Weisz are returning for Mummy 4, bringing back the beloved original trilogy's stars. Johnson's Scorpion King appeared in The Mummy Returns before getting his own spinoff.

Dark Universe's Spectacular Failure

Cruise's Mummy was supposed to launch Universal's answer to Marvel. The Dark Universe would have connected modern versions of classic monsters like Dracula, Frankenstein, and the Invisible Man.

Instead, it bombed. The film earned just $80 mn domestically and $410 mn worldwide against a $195 mn budget. Critics savaged it with a 15% Rotten Tomatoes score. The consensus? "Lacking the campy fun of the franchise's most recent entries and failing to deliver many monster-movie thrills, The Mummy suggests a speedy unraveling for the Dark Universe."

Universal immediately scrapped their ambitious plans. Russell Crowe's Dr. Jekyll setup went nowhere. Johnny Depp's Invisible Man vanished. Angelina Jolie's Bride of Frankenstein died on the table.

What Could Have Been

The canceled Dark Universe roster reads like a Hollywood wish list. Channing Tatum was set for Van Helsing. Luke Evans would have returned as Dracula after his 2014 solo film. Javier Bardem was locked for Frankenstein's Monster.

Producer Alex Kurtzman had grand plans. "We know we're going to do Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein, Dracula, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Phantom of the Opera, Hunchback of Notre Dame, Invisible Man...There are characters within those films that can grow and expand and maybe even spin off."

Johnson himself was rumored for the Wolfman, though that would have created continuity issues with his Scorpion King role.

Now Universal is trying a different approach. Instead of forcing a shared universe, they're focusing on individual franchises that work. Fraser's return generated massive fan excitement. Johnson's potential comeback could do the same.