Tom Cruise is Van Helsing?

[Sawyer]

Deadline:

Universal Signs Kurtzman And Orci; Pair Takes On ‘The Mummy’ And ‘Van Helsing’
By THE DEADLINE TEAM

Universal said the first projects in the exclusive two-year deal with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci and their K/O Paper Products banner will be remakes of studio library titles The Mummy alongside producer Sean Daniel and writer Jon Spaihts and Van Helsing with Tom Cruise attached. The writer-producers will set up shop on the Universal lot, and former assistants Ben Kim and Kim Cavyan will come aboard as creative executives. Kurtzman and Orci previously had a deal with David Ellison’s Skydance Productions but that didn’t take. Before that, they were with DreamWorks. Their credits include writing two Transformers movies and the Star Trek reboot as well as the disappointing Cowboys & Aliens. On the TV side, they created Fringe produce Hawaii Five-0. Here’s the full release:

UNIVERSAL CITY, CA, May 1, 2011—Universal Pictures today announced the studio has signed a two-year first-look production deal with one of the leading writing/producing teams in the entertainment industry, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, and their K/O Paper Products banner. The duo will kick off their new relationship with Universal by reimagining titles from the studio’s library including Van Helsing and The Mummy. The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Chairman, Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman, Donna Langley.

Kurtzman and Orci have collaborated with some of the industry’s top creative minds including J.J. Abrams, with whom they wrote the third installment of Mission: Impossible, which grossed nearly $400 million at the worldwide box office. In 2007, they wrote Transformers and went on to write Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in 2009. Together, those films grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide. More recently, the pair wrote and executive produced 2009’s Star Trek, which grossed more than $385 million worldwide. Accompanying their impressive film resume, Kurtzman and Orci have found tremendous success in television, having created the series Fringe, writing/producing Alias and in 2010, producing the reboot of Hawaii Five-O. They also currently executive produce the highest rated show on Hasbro’s The Hub, Transformers Prime.

“Alex and Roberto are extraordinarily talented writers and producers who know the value of a great story in building successful tentpole films,” Fogelson and Langley said in a joint statement. “They have been a major part of some of Hollywood’s biggest movies and television shows in recent history, and we’re eager to have them build on that success at Universal.”

“We’re thrilled to call Universal Pictures our home,” said Kurtzman and Orci. “From the moment we sat down with Adam, Donna, Peter, Jeff and the entire Uni team, there was an instant flow of inspired ideas. They really understand the importance of building a strong creative team and giving our shared projects their full support. We’re proud to start making movies that will live as part of Universal’s enduring legacy.”

Kurtzman and Orci’s K/O Paper Products will develop and produce a modern reimagining of Universal library titles including The Mummy, alongside producer Sean Daniel and writer Jon Spaihts. The pair will also develop and produce Universal’s reimagined Van Helsing, with Tom Cruise attached to star in and produce the film.

Kurtzman and Orci’s upcoming projects include writing Sony’s next installment of The Amazing Spider-Man; producing Now You See Me, for Lionsgate Summit, set for release in March 2013; and producing Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game, also for Lionsgate Summit. Kurtzman and Orci wrote and produced People Like Us, which marks Kurtzman’s directorial debut and is scheduled to be released in June 2012, and wrote and produced the second installment of Star Trek, set for release in 2013. The pair most recently rewrote All You Need Is Kill for Warner Bros., with Tom Cruise attached to star, Doug Liman to direct and Erwin Stoff to produce.

Kurtzman, Orci and the rest of their K/O Paper Products team, including President Bobby Cohen, will be housed on the Universal lot. Former assistants Ben Kim and Kim Cavyan will come aboard as creative executives. Kurtzman and Orci are represented by CAA and attorneys Michael Gendler and Kevin Kelly of Gendler & Kelly, APC.

Let's hope they learned what not to do from the first one.

But Cruise seems all wrong.

 

[Octoberist]

This is crazy.

 

[Wesley Dodds]

Is the world really crying out for a Van Helsing reboot? Really?!

 

[Morg]

oh hell no

 

[henzINNIT]

Remembering the other Van Helsing for the first time in years...


I feel sad now.

 

[jonathancrane]

Well, I have to hand it to Universal: they actually managed to create a fouler grade of excrement than Bryan Fuller's Mockingbird Lane...which I thought was impossible. But, this...I cannot fathom anything worse than rebooting Van Helsing and casting Tom Cruise. In fact, I would rather sit through a reboot starring and produced by Tommy Wiseau than this crap stain on the the tapestry of cinema.

And that's bad.

 

[Donut]

Shouldn't they get someone younger for Sequel Possibilities etc ?

 

[Sawyer]

Well, let's be honest, you're all getting a bit ahead of yourselves here.... Cruise is a bad casting choice, but that's no guarantee that the movie will be any worse than Jackman's.

 

[Octoberist]

Just give us a Vampire Hunter D movie already.

 

[terry78]

I know Brendan Fraser is pissed.

 

[Octoberist]

I'm sure he's throwing his topee across the room!

 

[Secret Fawful]

The first Brendan Fraser Mummy movie was perfect, except I really wish Harrison Ford was the lead (shut it! Indiana Jones needs a monster movie crossover. Needs needs needs needs needs. Wahhhhhh. [kicks feet]).

It was a mix of Clive Barker, George Romero, Steven Spielberg, and Hammer Studios. Barker and Romero were both attached at points and it shows in the plot. Can it be done more horrifying? Absolutely. Do I want to see a more horrifying Mummy movie? Sure! Writers have yet to truly tap into the grotesque nastiness of an Egyptian mummy or the true claustrophobic horror of being trapped in an underground tomb. Honestly, I hope they get Barker back, but who would you guys like to see direct a new Mummy movie? I'm trying to think of good modern horror directors...I'm at a loss. I don't want Guillermo del Toro....he's got too much on his plate, and I don't think he'd have the right feel.

 

[terry78]

The first Mummy remake was kind of nudge nudge, wink wink, but it gave plenty of nightmares. A lot of those deaths were hard PG-13.

 

[Wolfwood]

I loved the first Mummy. Any scene with the scarabs gives me the creeps.

 

[danoyse]

Well, let's be honest, you're all getting a bit ahead of yourselves here.... Cruise is a bad casting choice, but that's no guarantee that the movie will be any worse than Jackman's.

Even Hugh made fun of that movie at his last Broadway show.

Not really interested in a remake/reboot/whatever of either of them. I still enjoy the first Mummy movie, and even I can't sit through Van Helsing.

 

[DACrowe]

You'd think Universal would have learned it's lesson after the first one. Or Cowboys & Aliens. Or Land of the Lost. Or....

Yeah, on second thought, this does not surprise me.

 

[Punisher Rising]

The first Van Helsing had great potential but was let down by the horrendous script and execution. I'm not against a reboot in the right hands since the initial concept had so much potential that got wasted. But I agree Cruise doesn't seem to fit the part. If they could get Jackman back and give him a good script this time it could be cool.

 

[Secret Fawful]

What really gets me is that they'll option this...but pass on Mountains of Madness.

 

[Majik1387]

Cruise will be better than Jackman.

 

[Project862006]

Cruise will be better than Jackman.

no he wont lol jackman has a certain badassness he brings to alot of his roles that will be lost with cruise

 

[TX85]

Although I'm a big Cruise fan I'd never would have imagined him for this role,But I'll likely check out the film depending on the story&trailers&all that!!

 

[Octoberist]

The first Van Helsing has one of the worst CG in a mainstream movie after Mummy Returns. Notice the pattern here? ( Sommers)

 

[DoomsdayApex]

They're remaking The Mummy?

Oh god...

 

[TX85]

I really liked the first one with Fraser But not into the sequels much,Now with technology being much more advanced it could help a remake..But it's the story/acting&direction that's the main key!!

 

[Daniel Thompson]

I'm guessing in the Mummy remake they will get away from the action/adventure Indiana Jones style elements and go for a more horror movie route? If so then it has potential to be good. If its just similar ot the original then whats the point.