Now here’s a scary thought: the man who made Anton Chigurh one of the most frighteningly memorable villains in cinematic history may be joining Universal’s monster universe as Frankenstein. Academy Award winner Javier Bardem is in talks to play the classic movie monster (not, apparently, the doctor from which the monster’s name is derived) in one of the upcoming films from the studio’s ambitious revival of its monster movie properties.
Tom Cruise is already set to lead the first entry of the new franchise, THE MUMMY, along with Russell Crowe, who will play Dr. Jekyll, Sofia Boutella, and Jake Johnson. Alex Kurtzman will direct from a script he wrote with Robert Orci; Jon Spaihts penned the most recent draft.
In addition to big names like Cruise and Crowe, Johnny Depp has been tapped to play the Invisible Man in what will likely be the franchise’s second installment. The concept is to see the worlds from the various films merge with one another, with characters crossing over in an Avengers like fashion. Bardem was reportedly offered the role of Jekyll but when he passed, it ultimately went to Crowe.
Assuming Bardem accepts the new offer, it is unclear as to when, exactly, his Frankenstein character would first appear. Sources say that production on The Mummy reboot is nearly complete, with Depp’s Invisible Man on deck. Universal is also in the works with a Bride of Frankenstein movie, but Bardem’s Frankenstein would likely appear in another film first.
Bardem, who will soon be seen in next year’s Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Men Tell No Tales, is in development with Escobar, where he is set to play the titular kingpen. He is currently shooting Darren Aronofsky’s drama starring Jennifer Lawrence.
He is repped by WME.
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Josh Lyons | Managing Editor
This news was first reported by Variety.
