5 Issues We Wish to See in Brendan Fraser’s ‘Mummy’ Sequel

I had simply turned 10 when The Mummy got here out in Might of 1999, and I keep in mind cowering, wide-eyed, behind my big bag of popcorn topped with Sno-Caps as man-eating CGI scarabs terrorized the characters on display. I couldn’t sleep that evening once we returned house from the movie show, as visions of decrepit mummies and lethal, historic bugs and males shriveling up as they bought the life sucked out of them flashed in my little lady mind. I used to be so scared! I used to be hooked.

The Mummy has lengthy been one in every of my favourite movies, partly attributable to my timeless ’90s nostalgia but in addition as a result of it’s simply a good time. It’s a film that feels like a film, as Harry Styles might put it. And what’s to not love? The movie pays tribute to the traditional journey movies of years-gone-by with out feeling like an uninspired retread.

It’s bought motion! Fantasy! Romance! It’s a bit of spooky, too! (For a 10-year-old, anyway, in that entry-level, gateway-horror method.) It’s the type of film I can watch over and over, any time, it doesn’t matter what temper I’m in. It’s just like the cinematic equal of a consolation meal, however with some precise vitamin — not essentially the responsible pleasure fast-food type.

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Plus, the solid is totally stacked. Arnold Vosloo is menacing and empathetic as the mum Imhotep, respiratory recent life into the traditional Common Footage monster. Brendan Fraser is the right main man: Good-looking, humorous, and oozing easy charisma and swashbuckling allure as adventurer Rick O’Connell. In the meantime, Rachel Weisz channels the spirit of Outdated Hollywood’s main women along with her charming portrayal of bookish, lovely, courageous Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan. Collectively, their chemistry is electrical.

Following latest information that Fraser and Weisz are (lastly, fortunately) in talks to reprise their roles as Rick and Evie for a brand new Mummy journey, as a longtime fan of the the 1999 movie and its 2001 sequel I’ve bought some ideas (let’s name them well mannered requests) about what I’d like to see on this long-awaited sequel — in addition to what I desperately hope the filmmakers will keep away from.

Under, listed here are 5 issues I hope to see in The Mummy 4. (Or The Mummy 3, I assume, if this subsequent one retcons the forgettable Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.)

1. Rick and Evie Nonetheless Fortunately Married

Very similar to Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga as Ed and Lorraine Warren in The Conjuring collection, the ’90s/’00s Mummy movies (the primary two, anyway) actually wouldn’t be the identical with out Fraser and Weisz’s plain chemistry as Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan. Rick and Evie’s unconditional love for one another serves because the beating coronary heart of the collection, anchoring all of the fantasy and journey and horror with one thing palpable and earnest. Their relatable romance, which started with the ol’ enemies-to-lovers trope, offers the viewers one thing to care about far past the motion on display.

That mentioned, there is perhaps some misguided notion to have Rick and Evie divorce or break up between movies simply to allow them to do the entire fall-in-love-again factor, or have Rick work to win Evie again from some glossy new suitor, or — Egyptian gods forbid — introduce a model new love curiosity fully. And to this I say: Don’t you dare.

We’ve seen it time and time once more in films: Han and Leia, Gale and Dewey, Indiana and Marion. However we don’t must do the entire on-again, off-again plot machine, or that drained factor the place the male lead spirals away from his longtime love attributable to some trauma or private unraveling (usually involving some sturdy liquor), solely to search out himself once more and win her again. Please, depart Rick and Evie fortunately, passionately married. As followers noticed in The Mummy Returns, they’re simply as attractive and attention-grabbing married with a child as they had been single and flirting with one another within the first film.

2. David Corenswet as Alex (Why Not?)

Evie and Rick’s son Alex is a crucial character in The Mummy universe. He performs a giant function in The Mummy Returns, in addition to Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the latter of which tried to set the character as much as take the mantle from Fraser’s Rick for future movies. (As we all know, that positive as hell by no means occurred.)

Sadly, actor Luke Ford, who performed grownup Alex in that movie, wasn’t the suitable match. Now don’t get me mistaken: Ford is a reliable actor, and was hardly the worst half concerning the film, however his portrayal of Alex lacked the charisma characters on this explicit franchise are identified for. He didn’t seize the bright-eyed curiosity and vibrant character Alex displayed in The Mummy Returns, traits inherited little doubt from his mother and father.

If Alex had been to return (which might make sense), may I current an impressed recasting alternative? If ever there have been an actor who not solely appears to be like like, however embodies the power of a younger Fraser, it’s Superman star David Corenswet. As Clark Kent, Corenswet nails the entire charming, heroic dork vibe I’d count on from the son of Rick and Evie O’Connell. Plus, if the franchise had been to proceed with Alex, Corenswet’s really bought the chops to hold the collection ahead. Somebody get his agent on the road ASAP!

3. Jonathan Again in Motion, Of Course

In a movie completely stacked floor-to-wall with charismatic characters and memorable performances (Fraser! Weisz! Arnold Vosloo! Oded Fehr! Jonathan Hyde!), you may assume the sibling of the romantic lead would get misplaced within the shuffle as a throwaway comedic reduction. However John Hannah’s Jonathan, brother of Evelyn, doesn’t simply maintain his personal; he’s a standout and fan-favorite in his personal proper.

Evie’s playing, treasure-hunting brother steals most of the scenes he’s in. A gold-hearted scoundrel in enterprise, his playboy allure and penchant for a lazy lifetime of luxurious are betrayed solely by his sudden bravery within the face of undead peril and his fierce loyalty to his household. His presence was a welcome consolation in Tomb of the Dragon Emperor — apart from Fraser, he was the one authentic actor to return for the maligned third installment — and one other Rick and Evie journey simply wouldn’t be the identical with out him inadvertently inflicting bother (and, to be honest, serving to get everybody again out of bother, in his personal bumbling method). That mentioned, I firmly count on Hannah will likely be getting a name from producers quickly.

4. Imhotep (Hear Me Out…)

Arnold Vosloo is a magnetic presence within the first two Mummy films, bringing Imhotep (again) to life with a novel mix of pathos, intercourse attraction, and intimidating swagger. He infuses the function with gravitas and vulnerability whereas managing to be menacing and intense. And although Imhotep is technically lifeless at this level (uh, once more), it’s nothing a bit of studying from the Ebook of the Useless couldn’t repair!

Following Imhotep’s resurrection in The Mummy Returns, the larger-than-life villain, tragically betrayed by his lover Anck-Su-Namun, abandons his quest for world domination and returns to the underworld, heartbroken. Earlier than he does so, he shoots Rick and Evie — the latter of whom refuses to abandon Rick throughout a second of mortal peril — a pained look of sorrow and eager for what they’ve, humanizing the once-mortal man behind the monster.

It’s the right setup for Imhotep to ultimately return as an antihero who should assist Rick and Evie face off in opposition to an excellent greater, badder undead menace. We’ve seen it work in lots of movies earlier than, from Barbossa within the Pirates of the Caribbean collection to Loki within the MCU and the T-800 within the Terminator films. Whereas it’s a well-used trope, it could present a chance for the character to return to display in a method that is sensible for the story, probably to redeem his legacy as he helps save the world this time round.

5. Plenty of Levity … Maintain It Enjoyable!

There’s numerous causes 2017’s Mummy reboot starring Tom Cruise was a giant, fats dud that critics and audiences hated. Its worst offense? Taking itself method too significantly. Bo-ring!

The Mummy (1999) embraced its inherent campiness, and in addition leaned into the silliness of the ‘30s and ‘40s serial movies that impressed it. It was, in each sense of the phrase, a blast from begin to end, toggling between fun-filled fantasy journey, high-energy motion flick and spooky, supernatural gateway horror with fashion and ease. In distinction, Cruise’s Mummy was too action-focused, too somber and middling in tone; neither enjoyable sufficient as an journey film nor scary sufficient to be an efficient horror movie. Let’s not make that mistake once more.

Fraser’s Mummy collection was additionally very, effortlessly humorous, one thing the brand new movie would vastly profit from—particularly contemplating Lee Cronin’s upcoming 2026 movie primarily based on the traditional monster will likely be a darkish horror movie, so these bases are well-covered. For Fraser’s return I’d prefer to see extra light-hearted levity. It’s why sure scenes from the 1999 movie (“Hey, Beni! Appears to be like to me such as you’re on the mistaken aspect of the river!” … “I’m a librarian!”) are nonetheless so memorable for followers to today.