He’s already partnering with Fast & Furious writer Chris Morgan to oversee the development of the studio’s new breed of monster movies, but Alex Kurtzman is looking to get involved with The Mummy in a much closer fashion – he’s in the final stages of hammering out a deal to direct it{
Universal’s attempt to resurrect what it hopes will be an evergreen franchise has seen some frustration of late, with different script drafts from the likes of Jon Spaihts and Kurtzman himself, working with former producing partner Roberto Orci. And the beast has grabbed then discarded at least two other potential directors in Len Wiseman and Mama's Andy Muschietti.
The new take on the Egyptian creature will be closer in tone to Stephen Sommers’ two entries – less a direct horror piece than a rip-roaring action adventure, albeit set in the present day. “Over the course of developing** The Mummy**, Alex has demonstrated such clarity and passion about this character and mythology," Universal co-president of production Jeff Kirschenbaum tells The Hollywood Reporter. "He knows why The Mummy has fascinated us for so long and how to bring that into an inventive, incredible new adventure. It became obvious that he is the perfect choice to be not only one of the narrative engineers of this new vision but its director as well.”
It’ll make Kurtzman’s first foray into big-scale directing following his low-budget debut, People Like Us. And while he’s also attached to make the Venom film for Sony, The Mummy may end up going into production first as the Spider-plans are all in limbo at the moment.