Bill Condon (Beauty and the Beast) is in talks to helm Universal’s Bride of Frankenstein reboot that’s part of their burgeoning monster universe. Thanks to the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it looks more and more like every studio is racing to try to assemble their own interconnected universe of some kind, superhero or otherwise. Right near the top of that list is Universal’s planned Monster Movie universe, which will bring some of the most iconic monsters in film history into the same world for the very first time onscreen. Starting with the Tom Cruise-led Mummy reboot this summer, Universal is preparing to finally pull the trigger once and for all on a number of the other franchises in that universe.

One of the other more iconic titles set to be rebooted by the studio for this very purpose is Bride of Frankenstein, which will be based on a screenplay by Jurassic Park writer David Koepp. A-list names like Angelina Jolie have been rumored to be attached to the film at various points throughout the years, and it looks like Universal is starting to nail down the rest of the creative team for one of its more anticipated franchises in this shared monster universe.

Deadline is reporting that, coming off of the success of Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast - which just crossed $1 billion at the box office - director Bill Condon is in talks with Universal to direct Bride of Frankenstein. While nothing is set in stone yet, the report states that both Condon and Universal are extremely excited about him possibly directing the film, especially since Condon has said numerous times in the past that the 1935 original James Whale-directed Bride of Frankenstein one of his favorite films.

Aside from just his talents behind the camera as a director, Condon would be a big get for Universal for this project. He’s had a fair amount of experience working with big tentpole projects and franchises, having dabbled in the Disney live-action fairy tale world, in addition to his financially successful work on the final two installments in the Twilight Saga franchise. All of this, of course, and not to mention what a draw Condon has become for many high-profile actors throughout his career, which could help to boost more interest from the A-list stars Universal wants for the film - should he sign onto it.

Condon is admittedly a self-professed James Whale fan too, which means he’s well-versed in what the tone and style of those films need and should be, even when rebooted in the modern day. Whale was even the main character in Gods & Monsters, which Condon wrote and directed. Plus, Ian McKellen received an Oscar nomination for his performance in Gods & Monsters, while Condon won Best Adapted Screenplay for the film. So there’s no reason his credibility and suitability for this project to be called into question. Now, all that waits to be seen is whether or not he does actually sign on to direct.

Next: Can Non-Superhero Cinematic Universes Work?

Screen Rant will keep you in the loop on Bride of Frankenstein updates as they come.

Source: Deadline

  • The Mummy Release Date: 2017-06-09