It is rumored that Tom Cruise had his role expanded in The Mummy because he didn't want to share the spotlight with a monster.

It's refreshing to see someone so knowledgeable and passionate about monsters step up to the plate and advocate for said monsters. You asked me about the Dark Universe, if you're gonna make a movie of The Mummy, why the do you need Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe?! As soon as you announce that Tom Cruise is in The Mummy, you know you're not going to see a horror picture! It's not gonna be The Mummy, it's going to be the Tom Cruise Show. 'What's happening is the studios now will make a film for $150, $200 million but they're afraid to take risks. The director is informed and on point, especially when it comes to The Mummy, though I'm not sure if he has the Dark Universe mixed up with Warner Bros.' Monsterverse. I think, y'know, maybe that's one of the problems with Universal's Dark Universe is that it isn't respectful of the monsters.' was Abbot & Costello Meets Frankenstein, which is actually a very funny movie and very respectful of the monsters. 'And then of course, one of the great ironies is what was considered. Now Landis wants to talk about the unfair treatment of monsters in Hollywood over the last handful of years. House of Dracula, House of Frankenstein, Frankenstein Meets The Wolf-Man, you know what they used to call those? Monster rallies! (laughs)' If you remember with Universal back in the '40s, once they made all their classics, they started cross-pollinating.

Monsters in the movies by john landis