Guillermo del Toro regrets not saving the Dark Universe franchise

The filmmaker was asked to oversee the series back in 2007

Universal's failed bid to create a franchise of films based on classic movie monsters could have had a saviour in Guillermo del Toro.

The studio has officially scrapped plans to continue with the 'Dark Universe' series which was spearheaded by 2017 flop The Mummy and was set to include the Invisible Man and the Bride of Frankenstein - and Spanish filmmaker del Toro has named turning the franchise down as a career regret.

Speaking to TimesTalks, the Pan's Labyrinth director said: “I’ve said no to things that are enormous and I’ve never looked back. The only time I repent I didn’t do something was in 2007 when Universal, in an incredibly gentle and beautiful manner said, ‘do you want to take over the Monster Universe?’ And they gave me the reins of several properties, and I didn’t do it. That I repent. So this is a confessional moment, I repent. That’s the only thing.”

The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella and Russell Crowe as Jekyll & Hyde, proved one of the year's biggest flops upon its release in June. Other actors who were set to appear in the 'Dark Universe' series included Javier Bardem and Johnny Depp.

del Toro has entered this year's Oscars race with new film The Shape of Water, a fantasy drama starring Sally Hawkins, Doug Jones, Octavia Spencer and Michael Shannon. The nominations are set to be announced in January with the ceremony - presented by Jimmy Kimmel - scheduled for March.

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook