Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is just part of a larger dark universe, director reveals
Director Lee Cronin has confirmed that his recent horror films The Mummy and Evil Dead Rise are part of a larger interconnected dark universe. The connection became apparent to fans when they noticed both films feature characters with the surname Bixler—Professor Bixler (Mark Mitchinson) in The Mummy and Beth Bixler (Lily Sullivan) in Evil Dead Rise. When initially asked about the connection, Cronin offered a cryptic response, suggesting the characters “could be distant relatives.” In an interview timed to the physical release of The Mummy on July 14, the director elaborated further on his plans for this expanding cinematic universe. The revelation indicates Cronin is building a cohesive narrative framework across his horror films, with shared characters and mythology linking the projects. This approach mirrors successful multi-film universes in horror and mainstream cinema, where Easter eggs and character connections reward attentive viewers. The strategy suggests Cronin has grander ambitions for his horror projects beyond individual standalone stories, potentially laying groundwork for future films that further develop this dark universe.