'Dark Universe': Universal monster series stars Tom Cruise, Johnny Depp

May 23 (UPI) -- Universal Pictures has titled its planned monster movie series Dark Universe that begins with The Mummy starring Tom Cruise and Sofia Boutella.

The cinematic universe will feature films based on the studio's catalogue of classic movie monsters such as Frankenstein, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde and the Invisible Man.

Cruise and Boutella gathered with Russell Crowe, who also stars in The Mummy as Dr. Henry Jekyll to take a group photo alongside Johnny Depp who will portray the Invisible Man and Javier Bardem who is set to portray Frankenstein's monster in future films.

"Witness the beginning of a #DarkUniverse," Universal captioned the image. Accompanying the photo was a Dark Universe announcement trailer that featured footage from Universal's classic horror films alongside a logo and musical theme by composer Danny Elfman that will play before each entry in the series starting with The Mummy.

Crowe's Dr. Jekyll is set to connect all the films together as his character leads an organization known as Prodigium that tracks down, studies and destroys evil monsters, Deadline reported.

Next up on the Dark Universe slate is a remake of Bride of Frankenstein that will be directed by Beauty and the Beast helmer Bill Condon and arrive in theaters Feb. 14, 2019.

"We take enormous pride in the creativity and passion that has inspired the reimagining of Universal's iconic monsters and promise audiences we will expand this series strategically," Universal Pictures chairman Donna Langley said in a statement.

"The enterprise masterfully developed by Chris (Morgan) and Alex (Kurtzman) will allow each subsequent chapter the right time to find the perfect cast, filmmakers and vision to fulfill it. As we launch Dark Universe with Danny's provocative theme before 'The Mummy' and collaborate with a brilliant filmmaker like Bill to weave the story of a very modern woman in a very classic tale, we feel confident we're off to a tremendous start," Langley continued about Bride of Frankenstein.