'Mummy' Reboot: Universal Planning 'Dark' Franchise Re-Starter

The "Mummy" reboot you've been waiting for has finally arrived? Variety reports that Jon Spaihts will write the script for "The Mummy," which was last seen onscreen in 2008.

Spaihts also wrote "Prometheus" (though Damon Lindelof, credited as "Prometheus" co-writer, has been getting the lion's share of pre-release buzz), and he told Variety that the new version of "The Mummy" would be "dark" in nature. His only other screen credit is the 2011 bomb "The Darkest Hour," which came and went from theaters with little audience interest last December.

Like "The Amazing Spider-Man," "The Mummy" is another recently successful franchise rebooted for a new audience that might still enjoy the previous efforts. The film emerged as a popular franchise for Universal in 1999; starring Brendan Fraser, "The Mummy" earned $415 million worldwide. Two sequels followed -- "The Mummy Returns" ($430 million worldwide) and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor ($410 million worldwide) -- plus a spin-off, "The Scorpion King," with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in a starring role.

Last year, The Huffington Post wondered if mummies were overtaking zombies as the go-to monster for horror aficionados, after three museum exhibitions opened within weeks of each other. The success of "The Walking Dead" might have dimmed that hope, but perhaps this new "Mummy" franchise will ignite things again.

"The Mummy" began as one of Universal's original monster features alongside "Frankenstein" and "Dracula." The 1932 film starred Boris Karloff as the titular bandaged baddie. No word yet on cast or directing options for this new version.

[via Variety]

PHOTOS: Mummies Around The World