Starting in 2017, a new cinematic universe will tear its way into movie theaters. Universal's connected franchise of classic monster movies kicks off with "The Mummy," a horror action film that will pit Tom Cruise against the ancient monster.

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The franchise-starter, set in the modern day, will also see Cruise encounter a surprising ally -- Dr. Jekyll (Russell Crowe). A new photo from "The Mummy," unveiled by Entertainment Weekly, shows Cruise and Crowe's characters together, with Crowe decked out in Jekyll/Hyde garb and leather gloves.

Thought safely entombed in a tomb deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient princess whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia and terrors that defy human comprehension. From the sweeping sands of the Middle East through hidden labyrinths under modern-day London, The Mummy brings a surprising intensity and balance of wonder and thrills in an imaginative new take that ushers in a new world of gods and monsters.

Directed by Alex Kurtzman from a script by from a script by John Spaihts, the action-adventure horror film also stars Sofia Boutella of “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” “Star Trek Beyond”), Jake Johnson (“Jurassic World”), Annabelle Wallis, Courtney B. Vance (“American Crime Story: The People vs. OJ Simpson”) and Russell Crowe (“Gladiator,” “Man of Steel”) as Dr. Jekyll/Mr. Hyde.

Kurtzman and Chris Morgan are overseeing the development of an interconnected movie universe, a la Marvel Studios, that will reimagine Universal’s classic monsters. Additional films are already in development featuring the Invisible Man, the Wolf Man, Van Helsing, the Creature from the Black Lagoon and the Bride of Frankenstein.

“The Mummy” opens June 9, 2017.