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Alex Kurtzman, director of the Tom Cruise-led reboot of The Mummy, opened up about his unpleasant relationship with the 2017 Universal film. Kurtzman called the project a tremendous personal and professional failure that provided unforgettable lessons, allowing the director to become the filmmaker he is today.
The Mummy, which was supposed to propel Universal's Dark Universe franchise, starred Sofia Boutella, Annabelle Wallis, and Russell Crowe alongside Cruise. Much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the Dark Universe from Universal looked to be the studios' pinnacle monster movie franchise, with varying narratives interconnected in one collective image. Plans for the franchise included reboots of classic horror films with Crowe, Javier Bardem, and Johnny Depp attached to various projects. However, the idea failed to surface due to the dismal performance of The Mummy at the box office.
Kurtzman discussed his experience with Universal's The Mummy during an appearance on the Bingeworthy podcast. "I tend to subscribe to the point of view that you learn nothing from your successes, and you learn everything from your failures. And that was probably the biggest failure of my life, both personally and professionally," expressed Kurtzman, noting his growth. "There are about a million things I regret about it, but it also gave me so many gifts that are inexpressibly beautiful. I didn’t become a director until I made that movie, and it wasn’t because it was well directed – it was because it wasn’t."
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The Mummy generated less than $32 million by the end of its premiere opening weekend and accumulated a disappointing $80 million domestic total. The domestic number only accounted for about 19% of the project's revenue, which relied heavily on international audiences to recoup the estimated $125 million budget. Worldwide, the Universal film earned roughly $409 million, but the reception was reasonably unpleasant. The project received a 16% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and a 35% rating from audiences, highlighting the unfulfilling experience endured by many.
Despite the film's negative reception and financial disappointment, Kurtzman appreciated the opportunity to learn from those mistakes. "And as brutal as it was, in many ways, and as many cooks in the kitchen as there were, I am very grateful for the opportunity to make those mistakes because it rebuilt me into a tougher person," Kurtzman said, noting how the difficult process helped instill confidence in his voice, which has further elevated his vision as a director. "I'm very clear now when I have a feeling that doesn't feel right – I am not quiet about it anymore. I will literally not proceed when I feel that feeling. It's not worth it to me. And you can't get to that place of gratitude until you've had that kind of experience."
Kurtzman's newest work, The Man Who Fell To Earth, premiered its first episode on Showtime this past Friday. The sci-fi series, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor and Naomie Harris, is based on the similarly titled 1976 sci-fi movie. Kurtzman owes his professional growth to The Mummy and highlights his ability to reflect on the experience with gratitude. Time is an element that heals all wounds, and for Kurtzman, it provided clarity and a sense of appreciation for the experience, no matter how brutal.
The Mummy (2017) is now available on Amazon Prime Video.
Source: The Playlist