Dark Universe: 10 Ways The Monster Mash-Up Can Redeem Itself
6. Lessen Its Reliance On A-Listers
A-list actors can be great for drawing in the punters and rallying the movie press, but there are times when they're simply unnecessary and, at worst, detrimental.
The latter might well have been the case when it comes to Tom Cruise and The Mummy, with reports suggesting that the Mission Impossible star demanded extensive creative control on the project and strong-armed it towards turkey territory.
Dark Universe appears intent on securing Hollywood royalty for each film, with Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp lined up for Bride of Frankenstein and The Invisible Man.
While both appear to be solid choices for their respective projects, it would be refreshing to see them appear in said movies alongside new and emerging talent.
And when it comes to the likes of Dracula, the Phantom of the Opera and the Hunchback of Notre Dame, one could argue that casting big name actors for such iconic characters is overkill.
These brands don't need A-listers attached to generate hype, and by bringing them in the studio runs the risk of detracting from the monster's legacy, particularly when the lead star isn't assuming the title role.