Universal has big plans for its classic movie monsters, with the studio aiming to create a franchise of new films all set in the same shared universe.

According to Deadline, Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan have been hired to sketch out a new series of crossover films for the likes of Dracula, Frankenstein’s Monster, The Wolfman et al to star in.

Whether or not Kurtzman and Morgan will perform any actual script-writing duties remains to be seen, but they will certainly be charged with creating the overarching concept to bring the studio’s vision to life.

The first film in this new wave will be a revival of The Mummy, which recently lost its director, Andres Muschietti, over creative differences with the studio.

Muschietti had reportedly wanted to take the film in a much darker direction, but Universal, presumably with one eye on this new plan, are adamant that it be a more family-oriented adventure than anything particularly horrifying.

The Mummy is currently pencilled in for a UK release date of 22 April 2016, with further monster movies set to be confirmed in the coming months…