More bad news for Universal’s attempt to get a cinematic universe going featuring their classic monster characters. Deadline is reporting that the studio has placed pre-production on the franchise’s second installment, Bride Of Frankenstein, on hold.
Pre-production had gotten underway in London for a February 1 production start, but the crew has just been told to go home for the time being… I’ve heard the film is going back to the lab to do some more work on the script and that is why they stopped the clock. It had been dated February 14, 2019.
Well, considering that my biggest complaint about Universal’s first Dark Universe film, The Mummy was with its screenplay, I can’t complain too much that this new installment is taking more time to focus on that.
There is no word as to who is doing the rewriting work.
Javier Bardem has been in talks to plat Frankenstein’s Monster and Angelia Joile has been in a similar position for the role of the Monster’s Bride. Deadline’s reporting states that their participation will depend on these last minute rewrites.
I am told the actors aren’t walking away. In fact, they are not committing until this all gets rectified.
It is also heartening to see that Universal is looking to get the script right before the cameras roll rather than try and fix things as the film moves through production towards an already announced release date.
“After thoughtful consideration, Universal Pictures and director Bill Condon have decided to postpone Bride of Frankenstein,” Universal said in a statement to Deadline. “None of us want to move too quickly to meet a release date when we know this special movie needs more time to come together. Bill is a director whose enormous talent has been proven time and again, and we all look forward to continuing to work on this film together.”
The film had been set for a February 14, 2019 release. No new date has been announced.
Universal has a lot riding on Bride Of Frankenstein in the wake of their Dark Universe debut film, The Mummy getting a critical drubbing and underperforming at the box office.
Didn’t they learn from The Mummy? No one wants this!!!