The first film set to kick-start Universal’s cinematic monster universe (which would include Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp) was The Mummy (2017), starring Tom Cruise and directed by Alex Kurtzman.
Kurtzman is known for working on the screenplays of Transformers, the first two Star Trek films, and Amazing Spider-Man 2. He recently told The Playlist that the film (which currently has a 16 percent stake on Rotten Tomatoes) is “Probably the biggest failure of my life, both personally and professionally.” While he has many regrets about the making of the film, he finds some positive aspects of the experience.
“As brutal as it was in many ways and as there were a lot of chefs in the kitchen, I’m very grateful for the opportunity to make those mistakes because it made me a tougher person and also a clearer filmmaker… And that was it.” a real gift and I feel those gifts all the time because I’m very clear now if I have a feeling that doesn’t feel right – I don’t keep quiet about it anymore. I literally won’t move on when I get this feeling. It’s not worth it to me. And you can’t get to that place of gratitude until you have that kind of experience.”
The Man Who Fell To Earth is Kurtzman’s latest television project and debuts April 24 on Showtime with Naomie Harris and Chiwetel Ejiofor.