The filmmaker – who helmed this year’s Total Recall remake – revealed the film franchise, which will be produced by Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci, will feature a modern focus on the titular villain when compared to the latest three-part movie series, which followed Brendan Fraser’s character Rick O’Connell.

The screenplay for the film is to be written by Prometheus co-writer Jon Spaihts. Casting is yet to be confirmed.

Wiseman told Deadline.com: “When I first heard Universal was relaunching this, that is the image that popped into my head –  the period tale, the old monster.

“But when Bob and Alex pitched it, there was a great new take and approach, and a very different mummy as well. It’s a darker twist on the material; a scarier version.”

Wiseman – who is married to actress Kate Beckinsale – worked as a producer and director on the Underworld franchise, and has property assistant credits on films including Stargate (2004), Independence Day (1996) and Men In Black (1997).

Wiseman said the film will be heavily inspired by late science-fiction author Michael Crichton, and he is wants to work on the idea of the Mummy as a believable character.

He said: “One of the things that interested me with this mummy is, he’s still in essence a man.

“They haven’t turned his brain into a monster brain. He still has a personality and is very cunning and calculating. He’s a true character in any form, and in creature form, even if he is that staggering creature, it becomes more important that he’s a thinking, calculating person.”

The film is expected to shoot in the summer of 2013.