Brendan Fraser is finally talking about The Mummy again. And after twenty years, he says the version he truly wanted to make is now on the way.
The 56-year-old actor, who recently won an Oscar for The Whale, opened up to the Associated Press about returning to the iconic adventure franchise.
It comes after Variety reported that Universal is working on a brand new Mummy film, with Fraser back as Rick O’Connell and the Scream reboot directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett taking charge.
Fraser starred in all three original Mummy films, and fans have been begging for his return for years.
But according to him, the version he always wanted never actually got made.
He said, “The one I wanted to make was never made.”
Fraser spills tea on the third Mummy movie
Fraser didn’t hold back when talking about the third Mummy film, 2008’s Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
He said, “The third one was a model of … how can I say this to the AP reporter?”
Then he explained what went wrong.
“NBC had the rights to broadcast the Olympics that year, so they put two together and we went to China.”
He said working in Shanghai was actually awesome.
“Working in Shanghai made for an incredible experience,” he admitted.
He also defended the movie, even though it was different from the first two.
“I’m proud of the third one because I think it’s a good standalone movie. We picked up and did what we do with a different crew on deck and gave it our best shot.”
But while he respected that version, it still wasn’t his dream Mummy film.
“The one I wanted to make is forthcoming. And I’ve been waiting 20 years for this call.”
He added, “Sometimes it was loud, sometimes it was a faint telegraph.”
Fraser says now is finally the moment. He believes it’s “time to give the fans what they want.”
Rachel Weisz is coming back, and fans are losing it
According to Variety, Rachel Weisz, now 55, is also returning as Evelyn.
She starred in the first two films but skipped the third. Fans have been desperate to see her reunited with Fraser.
The new movie will be directed by Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett, the duo behind Ready or Not and the 2022 Scream reboot.
Fraser had previously wondered how they would even bring his character back.
“I don’t know how it would work,” he said last year. “But I’d be open to it, if someone came up with the right conceit.”
Well, it seems someone finally did.
Fraser also shared how he’s stayed grounded through decades of Hollywood chaos.
“I get angry – sure, I get frustrated. I see the shortcuts and loopholes that get taken.”
He added, “Sometimes you just feel like the proverbial bully has the palm of his hand on your forehead and you’re throwing haymakers that don’t land until you’re exhausted and you’re being laughed at.”
But even then, he still tries to stay kind.
“Who’s going to stand up for that person or issue? I don’t know if it’s me, but I know if I don’t contribute to that, maybe that’s a way I can help.”
Featured image credit: Universal Pictures
