After nearly two decades, adventurer Rick O’Connell is finally returning! Beloved star Brendan Fraser has dropped a major update on the long-awaited fourth installment of The Mummy franchise, confirming his return.
The 56-year-old Oscar winner spoke with the Associated Press, promising that the new sequel will “give fans what they want.”
The Movie Fraser Always Wanted to Make
Fraser, who played Rick O’Connell in The Mummy (1999), The Mummy Returns (2001), and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), revealed that the fourth film, which is finally coming together, is the movie he’s been dreaming of.
“The one I wanted to make was never made,” Fraser shared regarding the series’ previous installments. “I’m proud of the third one because I think it’s a good standalone movie… But the one I wanted to make is forthcoming. And I’ve been waiting 20 years for this call. Sometimes it was loud, sometimes it was a faint telegraph. Now? It’s time to give the fans what they want.”
Why the Cruise Reboot Didn’t Work
Earlier this year at Fan Expo Denver, Fraser offered his insight into why the 2017 reboot starring Tom Cruise didn’t connect with audiences.
“I know Tom Cruise tried to make his movie, and it ain’t easy! We all know how hard this movie is to make…” Fraser said. He emphasized that the key to the original trilogy’s success was delivering on fun and thrills: “The thing with all of these films is that, at least it was fun, it was a thrill ride, and you wanted to do it again… You’ve just got to give everybody what they really, really want. If you stray from that path [it won’t work].”
Let’s be honest here. The Cruise movie didn’t work because it lacked the one thing Fraser has that Cruise doesn’t: heart. Cruise comes off as cold, and well, to put it simply, he was playing a role where as it feels like Rick is actually shares part of Fraser’s soul.
A Reunion That Will Carry on the Legacy
Not only is Fraser returning, it’s reported that Rachel Weisz, Rick’s movie wife, is also back. But that’s not all. Rumor has it that whole band is back together with John Hannah (Jonathan) and Oded Fehr (Ardeth) returning too. But that has yet to be confirmed.
It sounds like Fraser and the team are committed to bringing the classic, action-packed spirit back to The Mummy! And fans are totally here for it, including us! We’ll keep you posted as more details surface. In the meantime, you can pick up The Mummy box set now on Amazon Prime.
