Universal is so insistent on reviving their “Mummy” franchise that they hired Billy Ray Ray to write another script for their proposed reboot. While the “Prometheus” studio was writing Jon Spaihts to pen the screenplay last year, he wants another, competing script ready to go adding confidence that the film will be ready for its 2014 release date.
While it is not uncommon for studios to hire multiple screenwriters for a project, this is the idea of a competing screenwriter. Typically, the screenwriter is post finished writing to provide polish or rewrite chunks, but these two screenplays will be in development together.
In fact, as Vulture points out, students rarely use this technique because it is usually considered a nightmare. However, Universal is willing to take a risk because it believes “The Mummy” will be next year’s financial hit.
Both writings are said in a rather similar way: both will be modern day, they will put on an old story, and both will probably be in the same way. Insinor almost believes that the two writings can be formed at the same time with both writers receiving credit.
“I suspect that one of them will be the human “structure and the body, and it will be the character and the human dialogue – and then they will be written together. “explains the insider.
Of course, Universal has essentially “doubled its chances” to put the movie into production by the end of the year, which is the biggest issue at hand. As the same insider notes, “the studios no longer film“, but instead “releases the release branch”.
Len Wiseman is now attached to direct the reboot, with Alex Kurtzman and Robert Orc producing. The two are also reportedly overseeing production on Universal’s “Van Helsing” reboot, though that film has not been given a release date.
