The Confusion Surrounding Universal’s ‘Dark Universe’

Are you among the few who noticed that The Invisible Man is not actually the sequel to the film Dracula Untold or the 2017 The Mummy? The confusion stems largely from Universal Pictures' ambitious but ultimately unsuccessful attempts to revamp their classic monster characters into a shared cinematic universe known as 'Dark Universe.'

Universal’s Failed Attempts at a Shared Universe

Universal has long been home to some of the most iconic monsters from the horror genre. However, their attempts at creating a shared cinematic universe based on these characters, known as 'Dark Universe,' faced a series of challenges and failed to meet expectations.

The Wolfman was initially supposed to kickstart the universe, but the project never came to fruition. Had things gone as planned, fans could have witnessed a variety of classic monsters come to life in a cohesive cinematic experience. Designs for the unterworld and the Gillman were reportedly quite impressive, adding a level of detail and visual appeal that could have elevated the project.

The Dracula NBC series, while intriguing, was cancelled after just one season. Fans, however, were left disappointed with the cancellation, as there were plans for spin-offs and further development. Unfortunately, Universal's track record of announcing spin-offs only to cancel the series and abandon any linked projects led to many fans feeling let down.

Dracula Untold was initially not intended to be a relaunch of the Dracula character, but as the project evolved, its intended purpose shifted. The film's success, though significant, did not lead to the creation of a broader universe as hoped. Similarly, the The Mummy film, aimed at launching the 'Dark Universe,' failed to resonate with audiences, resulting in poor box office performance.

The Birth of 'The Invisible Man'

It might come as a surprise to some, but The Invisible Man (2020) is actually the first project in Universal's 'Dark Universe.' This standalone title based on a classic character was produced in cooperation with Blumhouse Productions, a company known for delivering quality horror with a limited budget. While the film was performed well and was well-received, it did not mark the beginning of a cohesive universe.

The movie was made to stand on its own, without any direct connection to The Mummy or Dracula Untold. Though there were discussions about retroactively including Dracula Untold in the 'Dark Universe,' the film's lack of success made it clear that this idea would not be pursued. Following the failure of The Mummy at the box office, Universal realized that high-budget films were not the way to go and decided to scale back their ambitions.

Current Project Developments

Universal has since partnered with Blumhouse to continue exploring classic monster characters in standalone films. The next project in this series, The Wolfman, is being developed, with Ryan Gosling’s treatment set to star him. Additionally, plans for another Dracula movie are also in the works.

These films are all independent of each other, with their only connection being to the original, classic monster movies from the 1930s and 1940s. The imperfect successes of the initial attempts to revamp these characters have taught Universal valuable lessons, leading to a more realistic and feasible approach to delivering these beloved monsters to new audiences.