After a few delays, Universal is preparing to kickstart their new shared universe of classic monster reboots. The franchise will begin in 2017 with The Mummy, and casting has been ramping up, with Tom Cruise recently confirmed to headline Alex Kurtzman’s directorial debut. Annabelle Wallis, star of Peaky Blinders and Conjuring spin-off Annabelle, is in talks to star opposite Cruise in the modern day action-horror flick, in which she’ll play a scientist who will presumably have a lot of ’splaining to do.

THR reports that Wallis is in talks to join Cruise in The Mummy, which also features Kingsman: The Secret Service star Sofia Boutella in the titular role of the spooky antagonist. Cruise is said to be playing a current or former special forces soldier in the film, which takes place in the present day.

Kurtzman will direct the film, and is overseeing Universal’s new interconnected universe of monster films with Fast and Furious franchise vet Chris Morgan. Prometheus scribe Jon Spaihts wrote the screenplay for The Mummy, which hits theaters on June 9, 2017.

In addition to The Mummy, Universal is also developing new films based on The Invisible Man (with Johnny Depp in the title role), Bride of Frankenstein (with the studio reportedly eyeing Angelina Jolie for the lead), Dracula, The Wolfman and Van Helsing.

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