Just one movie in and Universal's cinematic Dark Universe is on life support, with signs that the end is all but near. According to an recent article from THR, producers Alex Kurtzman and Chris Morgan, have left the franchise for other commitments. Kurtzman will focus on his TV projects, which include Star Trek: Discovery and his overall deal with CBS. Morgan is now focusing on writing the spinoff for the Fast and Furious franchise, which will star Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham.
The next film in the cinematic franchise was supposed to be Bride of Frankenstein, but it has been shelved and Angelina Jolie is no longer attached to star. The studio still insists that writer-direct Bill Condon is still working on the script, but it doesn't look good right now.
An overall sign of the concern has to be the Dark Universe "office building on the Universal lot that was revamped at considerable expense for the new venture. After being decked out in monster regalia, it now sits mostly empty." Universal is reportedly still trying to decide on what avenue to take, with one option being "offering the IP to high-profile filmmakers or producers (Jason Blum has been mentioned) with ideas for one-off movies not connected to a larger universe. And the studio could find a new architect who could overhaul the concept."