“Mama” director Andy Muschetti has exited Universal’s reboot of “The Mummy” due to creative differences, TheWrap has learned.
Jon Spaihts wrote the current draft of the script, which reimagined “The Mummy” franchise in modern day with new characters not seen in previous iterations and a protagonist imbued with a human personality.
Sean Daniel is producing the planned tentpole with Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, who recently parted ways regarding feature projects, though their split is unrelated to Muschetti’s amicable exit from “The Mummy.”
Also read: Director Len Wiseman Exits ‘The Mummy’ Reboot at Universal
When Len Wiseman was previously attached to direct “The Mummy,” he indicated that Kurtzman and Orci were envisioning a darker, scarier take on the “Mummy” mythology that would still appeal to all audiences. Apparently, the project has changed direction, as Muschetti wanted to deliver a darker take rather than the four-quadrant, more family-friendly action-adventure blockbuster that Universal now has in mind.
After his Jessica Chastain-led horror movie “Mama” became a surprise hit, grossing $147 million worldwide for Universal, the studio quickly attached Muschetti to direct an adaptation of Josh Malerman’s novel “Bird Box,” which is being produced by Scott Stuber‘s Bluegrass Films. Muschetti was forced to leave “Bird Box” when the opportunity to direct “The Mummy” presented itself — a major job for an up-and-coming filmmaker.
Also read: ‘Mama’ Reviews: Is Jessica Chastain’s Horror Movie Frightening or Zero Dark Ghastly?
Now that Muschetti is no longer aboard “The Mummy,” the door remains open for him to return to “Bird Box,” though Universal is also considering him for several other high-profile projects.
Universal has been mining its catalogue of classic monsters and “The Mummy” plays an important role in the studio’s ambitious master plan, as the original trilogy grossed $1.25 billion worldwide. Universal released “The Wolfman” in 2010 and has “Dracula Untold” scheduled for release in October.
Muschetti is repped by WME and Ziffren Brittenham.