Just yesterday we learned that Russell Crowe is in talks to play Dr. Jekyll opposite Tom Cruise in The Mummy, and while Universal has yet to confirm that casting, they have released the first official synopsis for the reboot. The plot description makes some hefty promises for Alex Kurtzman’s directorial debut, which is meant to kickstart a new shared universe of action-packed horror movies based on the studio’s classic monsters.

Universal sent out an official press release offering this synopsis for The Mummy, which “ushers in a new world of gods and monsters” — a reference to James Whale, the director of horror classics like Frankenstein and The Invisible Man:

Tom Cruise headlines a spectacular, all-new cinematic version of the legend that has fascinated cultures all over the world since the dawn of civilization: The Mummy.

Thought safely entombed in a crypt deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient queen (Sofia Boutella of Kingsman: The Secret Service and Star Trek Beyond) whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension.

From the sweeping sands of the Middle East through hidden labyrinths under modern-day London, The Mummy brings a surprising intensity and balance of wonder and thrills in an imaginative new take that ushers in a new world of gods and monsters.

That world also includes reboots of The Invisible Man (with Johnny Depp), The Wolf Man (from Prisoners scribe Aaron Guzikowski) and Bride of Frankenstein, among others. Universal has set Kurtzman and Fast & Furious vet Chris Morgan to oversee the creative direction of the new shared universe of monster flicks, which begins with The Mummy.

Tom Cruise is joined by Sofia Boutella (Kingsman), Annabelle Wallis (Annabelle), Jake Johnson (New Girl) and Courtney B. Vance (The People v. O.J. Simpson) in the reboot, which hits theaters on June 9, 2017.

Source

More news for The Mummy Reboot, via Variety:

Annabelle Wallis is in talks for the female lead in Universal’s “The Mummy,” starring Tom Cruise, sources tell Variety.

Wallis will play an archaeologist in the film. Sofia Boutella, meanwhile, is on board to play the iconic monster.

The film is set to bow on June 9, 2017.

The studio tapped Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan last summer to help develop a monster universe for Universal with rebooted versions of classic monster movies. Kurtzman is also on board to direct, and will produce alongside Morgan and Sean Daniel.

Jon Spaihts is penning the script. Plot details are vague other than the fact that the pic will be set in the present day, unlike the previous three installments starring Brendan Fraser.

Universal executive VP of production Jon Mone and VP of development Jay Polidoro will oversee the project for the studio.

Wallis is best known for her work in Steven Knight’s “Peaky Blinders.” She also starred in the 2014 horror pic “Annabelle” and the comedy “Brothers Grimsby.” Wallis will play Maid Maggie in Guy Ritchie’s upcoming King Arthur movie — set for release in 2017. She also recently wrapped Zack Whedon’s thriller “Come and Find Me” opposite Aaron Paul.