‘Bride Of Frankenstein’ Writer Shuffles Forward With ‘Spider-Man’ Writer David Koepp
Universal’sBride of Frankensteinreboot is slowly but surely making its way down the aisle.Spider-ManandJurassic ParkwriterDavid Koepphas just been set to direct the new movie, which the studio is still hopingAngelina Joliewill direct and star in. Learn more about the newBride of Frankensteinwriter after the jump.
Last month we heard Jolie had their eye on Jolie for the project, and todayVarietyconfirms the studio wants her to both direct and star. It’d be a slightly unusual move for Jolie. As a director, she’s focused on grown-up dramas likeUnbrokenandBy the Sea. But it’s not like she’s totally opposed to big studio projects, either. Her most commercially successful movie to date was Disney’sSleeping BeautyretellingMaleficent.
In any case, Jolie won’t make a final decision on the project until a script is in, so Koepp has been hired to take care of that step. He’s worked with the studio many times before, dating back to the 1990s when he worked on films likeJurassic Park,Death Becomes Her,The Paper, andCarlito’s Wayfor them. His other credits include the firstSpider-Manmovie, the firstMission: Impossiblemovie, and theWar of the Worldsreboot.
Bride of Frankensteinwill be part of the Universal Monsters shared universe, along with 2017’sThe Mummyand 2018’sThe Wolf Man. New versions ofVan Helsing,Frankenstein,Dracula, andThe Invisible Manare also in various stages of development.Alex KurtzmanandChris Morganare heading up a writers room for the franchise that also includesAaron Guzikowski(Prisoners), Noah Hawley (FX’sFargo), andEd Solomon(Men in Black).
Plot details are being kept under wraps for now, but we know it’ll be set in the modern day to facilitate potential crossovers. There’s been some question of whether these would be action-adventure movies,as reported early on, but Kurtzman has clarified that the franchisewill remain rooted in horror. And the monsters themselves will be examined closely. “This is not a heightened world,“said Morgan. “We’re exploring issues of family identity and questions of, ‘Where do I belong in the world?'”
Bride of Frankensteindoesn’t yet have a release date, which means it’s probably a few years out still. That should give you plenty of time to get caught up with the 1935 original starring Elsa Lanchester and Boris Karloff.
