Kurtzman and Orcis K/O Paper Products will develop and produce a modern reimagining of The Mummy alongside producer Sean Daniel and writer Jon Spaihts. The pair will also develop and produce Universals reimagined Van Helsing, with Tom Cruise attached to star in and produce the film.
Van Helsing, as you know, was the 2004 misfire from Stephen Sommers which starred Hugh Jackman. (Sommers also directed the first two entries in The Mummy franchise.)
Here’s the official word from the studio.
Universal Pictures today announced the studio has signed a two-year first-look production deal with one of the leading writing/producing teams in the entertainment industry, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, and their K/O Paper Products banner. The duo will kick off their new relationship with Universal by reimagining titles from the studios library including Van Helsing and The Mummy. The announcement was made by Universal Pictures Chairman, Adam Fogelson and Co-Chairman, Donna Langley.
Kurtzman and Orci have collaborated with some of the industrys top creative minds including J.J. Abrams, with whom they wrote the third installment of Mission: Impossible, which grossed nearly $400 million at the worldwide box office. In 2007, they wrote Transformers and went on to write Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen in 2009. Together, those films grossed more than $1.5 billion worldwide. More recently, the pair wrote and executive produced 2009s Star Trek, which grossed more than $385 million worldwide. Accompanying their impressive film resume, Kurtzman and Orci have found tremendous success in television, having created the series Fringe, writing/producing Alias and in 2010, producing the reboot of Hawaii Five-O. They also currently executive produce the highest rated show on Hasbros The Hub, Transformers Prime.
Alex and Roberto are extraordinarily talented writers and producers who know the value of a great story in building successful tentpole films, Fogelson and Langley said in a joint statement. They have been a major part of some of Hollywoods biggest movies and television shows in recent history, and were eager to have them build on that success at Universal.
Were thrilled to call Universal Pictures our home, said Kurtzman and Orci. From the moment we sat down with Adam, Donna, Peter, Jeff and the entire Uni team, there was an instant flow of inspired ideas. They really understand the importance of building a strong creative team and giving our shared projects their full support. Were proud to start making movies that will live as part of Universals enduring legacy.
Kurtzman and Orcis upcoming projects include writing Sonys next installment of The Amazing Spider-Man; producing Now You See Me, for Lionsgate Summit, set for release in March 2013; and producing Orson Scott Cards Enders Game, also for Lionsgate Summit. Kurtzman and Orci wrote and produced People Like Us, which marks Kurtzmans directorial debut and is scheduled to be released in June 2012, and wrote and produced the second installment of Star Trek, set for release in 2013. The pair most recently rewrote All You Need Is Kill for Warner Bros., with Tom Cruise attached to star, Doug Liman to direct and Erwin Stoff to produce.
Kurtzman, Orci and the rest of their K/O Paper Products team, including President Bobby Cohen, will be housed on the Universal lot. Former assistants Ben Kim and Kim Cavyan will come aboard as creative executives. Kurtzman and Orci are represented by CAA and attorneys Michael Gendler and Kevin Kelly of Gendler & Kelly, APC.
