Cinematic universe writers rooms were supposed to be the answer to crafting reimagined mythologies for massive, unwieldy properties likeTransformersand Universal’s monster movie-verse, “Dark Universe.” The idea was to bring together talented, creative, and experienced screenwriters to hash out a framework for years upon years of major feature films, all connected through a central brand, theme, or intellectual property; this would also allow for diverse points of view and styles for the final films themselves since they weren’t beholden to one singular creative vision. While that may work in some instances (the early days ofMarvel’s Cinematic Universe, for example), it’s clearly not a cure-all. Relatively poor box office and critical performances for bothTransformers: The Last KnightandThe Mummymay have the studios rethinking their writers room experiment.
Transformerswas humming along just fine as a multibillion-dollar franchise until Paramount Pictures decided to take a page from the Golden Age of Television and put together a writers room to expand the brand’s mythology, one that was headed by Oscar-winning writer,Akiva Goldsman(A Beautiful Mind). But withTransformers: The Last Knightcurrently occupying theworst opening weekend, the worst domestic tally, and the worst international total by faramong otherTransformersfilms, it’s little surprise that Goldsman appears to be done with the franchise.
/Filmhad a very brief chance to chat with Goldsman during the ongoing TCA 2017 event and ask him if he was still involved withTransformers. His simple answer? “No.” WhileTransformers: The Last Knightwas the first product of Paramount’s writers room, the next project is the standalone Autobot filmBumblebee, directed byTravis Knightof LAIKA fame and opening opposite Warner Bros.‘Aquaman(for the moment) on August 16, 2025.Christina Hodson(Shut In,Unforgettable) holds the sole screenwriting credit for that film, and we’re hoping something more focused thanTransformers: The Kitchen Sinkarrives for that telling, one thatshouldbe a slam dunk.
Universal Pictures is struggling with their own writers room, one that was supposed to kick off in spectacular fashion withAlex Kurtzman’sThe Mummy, anchored byTom Cruiseand bolstered byRussell Crowe,Annabelle Wallis, andSofia Boutella. (Fun fact: I’m one of the very few people in the world who actually enjoyedThe Mummyand the direction they looked like they were taking Dark Universe.¯_(ツ)_/¯)IGNcaught up with Kurtzman, also a formerTransformerswriter, to ask about his future with Dark Universe:
“You know the truth is, I don’t know. I really don’t know. I haven’t really decided. Is the honest answer. I have to stay interested in it. I have to feel like my passion is there for it. I think … if your passion isn’t there you shouldn’t be doing it.”
Perhaps the withering critical reception has taken some wind out of Kurtzman’s sails. After taking in a disappointing $79.7 million at home for a respectable, but by no means preferred, total of almost $400 million,The Mummyis not the Dark Universe start that Universal was looking for. That’s a problem. This isn’t just one film’s critical and financial failure, but the unsteady foundation of what’s intended to be an entire cinematic universe. Universal’s been down this road before with films like 2004’sVan Helsingand 2014’sDracula Untold, both of which failed to ignite a franchise. Are audiences just tired of classic monster movies, or is it just that these attempts have been a mess?
I think it’s the latter, but that might not change anytime soon. Since China accounted for nearly 25% of the total box office, there’s the potential for future Dark Universe films to be tailored to their market. Kurtzman dodged a question along those terms:
“It’s hard for me to know, is the truth. I think every movie will be different. I certainly know that the legacy of the monsters have endured across the world throughout the years. Almost a century. So I have to believe American audiences will find it too with the right ingredients.”
Call me crazy, but perhaps a cinematic universe based on classic monsters and steeped in horror history should, I dunno, return to horror roots. I enjoyedThe Mummyas a nonsensical action-adventure spectacular, but the parts where it blazed ever so briefly were the moments of horror: When Ahmanet is attempting to recoup her strength, she and her newly resurrected followers have a delightfully gruesome appearance, design, and way of moving. It was but a glimmer of past horror films, but it’s something the Dark Universe could build around if they choose to do so. Whether or not they’ll do it with Kurtzman on board remains to be seen.
Do you think writers rooms are a bust? Would you like to be in one (you get paid $200,000 for a two-week brainstorming session…)? Let us know your thoughts!
