The Universal Monster Cinematic Universe (UMCU) is starting to take shape with the casting for the first film in the franchise, "The Mummy," vetting its first lead role for the film.

According to Deadline, "Star Trek Beyond" actress Sofia Boutella is in preliminary talks to star in the titular role of the movie. If the negotiations work out, and there is every indication that they will, she will be portraying the role of the film's villain, the Mummy.

In the previous films, including the late '90s reboot series, that role has been traditionally designated a male character. Given all the changes taking place in Hollywood these days, the studio and the UMCU producers have opted to reverse the role with a gender swap.

There have been earlier reports that Tom Cruise was in negotiations to play a role in the film franchise. There were also subsequent reports that seemed to debunk that rumor, but those have also been reversed and Cruise is still expected to take a role in the series, although it has not yet been announced which role he is considering for the film.

"The Mummy" is the first movie that is going to roll out for the UMCU series of films. Others that will be part of the Cinematic Universe will be the classics, most of which were derived from classic literature from the 18th, 19th and 20th century.

Some of those films will include "Dracula," "Frankenstein," "The Invisible Man" and "The Creature From the Black Lagoon," just to name a few.

The UMCU is expected to take a cue from the Marvel and DC playbooks and transform the universe so that their characters will enjoy standalone films as well as team-ups, or in this universe, battles between the monsters.

There has been no word yet when the film will go into production or when other films in the series will follow.