The Universal-backed adventure tentpole starred Tom Cruise and was designed to jumpstart the studio's Dark Universe, a franchise of interconnected films based on classic Universal monster movies. Alex Kurtzman has called his 2017 directorial effort "The Mummy" the "biggest failure of my life, both personally and professionally." The Mummy received widespread acclaim from reviewers and made $410 million worldwide, ultimately putting the studio's franchise dreams to rest.
“I tend to subscribe to the point of view that you learn nothing from your successes, and you learn everything from your failures. And [‘The Mummy’] was probably the biggest failure of my life, both personally and professionally.”
While Kurtzman said that "The Mummy" provided him "a million things I regret," he also stated that it gave him so many gifts that are inexpressibly magnificent.
”I didn’t become a director until I made that movie, and it wasn’t because it was well-directed – it was because it wasn’t. I am very grateful for the opportunity to make those mistakes because it rebuilt me into a tougher person, and it also rebuilt me into a clearer filmmaker. That has been a real gift, and I feel those gifts all the time because I’m very clear now when I have a feeling that doesn’t feel right,” Kurtzman added. “I am not quiet about it anymore. I will literally not proceed when I feel that feeling. It’s not worth it to me. And you can’t get to that place of gratitude until you’ve had that kind of experience.”
Universal's Dark Universe was supposed to contain a sequel to Cruise's "The Mummy," as well as a Dr. Jekyll film starring Russell Crowe and a "Bride of Frankenstein" film starring Javier Bardem. After "The Mummy" flopped with reviewers and at the box office, none of these films were developed. Cruise bounced back a year later with "Mission: Impossible – Fallout," which grossed $791 million worldwide and became the highest-grossing "Mission" film to date.
