Prolific writer, producer and director Alex Kurtzman is to helm Universal’s forthcoming reboot of THE MUMMY. Previously involved on the production side, and courted by the studio to help resurrect their monstrous back catalogue, Kurtzman inherits the role from Len Wiseman (UNDERWORLD) and MAMA’s Andy Muschietti, both of whom left the project over creative differences. Kurtzman is perhaps seen as a safe pair of hands. Until recently he was half of a successful movie partnership with Roberto Orci, scribbling out instalments of TRANSFORMERS, STAR TREK and THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (though the duo will continue to collaborate on TV). Currently he is overseeing Matador, an action series about a soccer player who works for the CIA.
The new version of the classic tale will see the action relocated to the present day. Is there room at the box office for a horny ancient being looking to exact vengeance on humanity? He can’t be so different from the average movie exec. After three offerings of the Stephen Sommers-led series Kurtzman’s new employers certainly hope the cursed name of Imhotep can be revived.
Source: Variety
