The Mummy, Universal’s official launch of their new connected monster’s universe, has a new robust release date of June 9, 2017. Additionally, Tom Cruise, who has been circling the project in rumor mills for some time, is now officially attached to the film.
The new release date instills confidence in the project. Moving the date from March 24, 2017 to the middle of the summer movie season is promising on one hand, but on the other hand, it raises new concerns that the picture will be action oriented. That, on top of the fact action superstar Cruise is officially on board. Sofia Boutella will star alongside Cruise, and is expected to be the new female mummy character.
Cruise’s role is uncertain at this point, but rumors have been narrowing his part down. Variety’s Justin Kroll tweeted back in November that Cruise would probably play an ex-Navy SEAL who might show up in latter entries in the universe and tie things together:
@TheInSneider neither I believe he plays an ex-navy seal though that might have changed. Mummy will likely be a female
— Justin Kroll (@krolljvar) November 24, 2015
This is also a little disconcerting… a Navy SEAL?! This is definitely angling towards an action-heavy kickstart to a franchise which absolutely deserves to be heavier on the horror. Hopefully they mix the two elements well.
