5 Things We Want to See in Brendan Fraser’s ‘Mummy’ Sequel

I was ten years old when The Mummy was released in May 1999, and I vividly remember being terrified while watching it in the theater. I hid behind my huge popcorn, covered in Sno-Caps, as the movie’s CGI scarabs attacked people on screen. That night, I had trouble sleeping, haunted by images of decaying mummies, dangerous ancient bugs, and people withering away. It was truly frightening! But despite being scared, I was completely captivated.

I’ve always loved The Mummy, and it’s not just because it reminds me of the ’90s! It’s a genuinely fun movie that just feels like a classic adventure film – it’s a great homage to those old movies without simply copying them.

This movie has everything – action, fantasy, and a touch of romance! It’s mildly spooky, perfect for a ten-year-old’s first experience with horror. I can watch it anytime, no matter how I’m feeling. It’s like a feel-good movie that’s actually enjoyable and engaging, not just empty entertainment.

The movie boasts an incredible cast. Arnold Vosloo delivers a compelling performance as Imhotep, the mummy, bringing a new depth to the iconic character. Brendan Fraser is perfectly cast as the charismatic and adventurous Rick O’Connell, while Rachel Weisz embodies the classic Hollywood heroine as the intelligent, beautiful, and courageous Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan. The actors share a fantastic on-screen connection.

With the exciting news that Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are in discussions to return as Rick and Evie in a new Mummy movie, as a big fan of the original 1999 film and its 2001 follow-up, I’ve been thinking about what I’d like to see – and what I really hope they don’t include – in this upcoming sequel.

Here are five things I’m hoping for in the next Mummy movie. It might even be considered Mummy 3 if it ignores the events of Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

1. Rick and Evie Still Happily Married

Just as Patrick Wilson and Vera Farmiga brought Ed and Lorraine Warren to life in The Conjuring films, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are essential to the success of the Mummy movies (especially the first two). The strong connection between their characters, Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan, is the emotional core of the series, grounding the fantastical action and horror in a genuine and heartfelt love story. Their believable romance, which starts with them initially disliking each other, gives viewers a reason to invest in the story beyond just the adventure.

Some people might think it would be good drama to have Rick and Evie split up and rekindle their romance in later movies, or to have Rick try to win Evie back from another admirer. But please, don’t even consider introducing a new love interest – that would be a terrible idea!

We’ve seen this trope in countless films – think Han and Leia, Gale and Katniss, Indiana and Marion. But we don’t need to revisit the predictable cycle of breakups and makeups, or the cliché of the hero pushing away the woman he loves because of personal struggles (often involving alcohol), only to win her back later. Let’s simply allow Rick and Evie to remain happily and passionately married. As seen in The Mummy Returns, they’re just as captivating as a married couple with a child as they were when they were first flirting.

2. David Corenswet as Alex (Why Not?)

Alex, the son of Evie and Rick, is a significant character in The Mummy films. He’s particularly important in The Mummy Returns and Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, where the filmmakers tried to position him as a potential successor to Rick O’Connell for future movies. However, those plans never came to fruition.

Luke Ford, who played the older Alex in the film, just didn’t quite feel right for the role. He’s a capable actor, and wasn’t the biggest problem with the movie, but he didn’t have the charm that fans expect from characters in this series. He didn’t capture the same sense of wonder and lively personality that the character had in The Mummy Returns, likely because those qualities came from his parents.

If Alex were to come back – and it would make a lot of sense if he did – David Corenswet, the star of Superman, would be a perfect choice for a new role. He not only resembles a young Fraser, but also captures the same energetic spirit. As Clark Kent, he already plays the lovable, heroic, and slightly awkward character I’d expect from Rick and Evie O’Connell’s son. If the franchise continues with Alex, Corenswet has the talent to really lead the series. Let’s contact his agent immediately!

3. Jonathan Back in Action, Of Course

Okay, so this movie is full of amazing characters – seriously, Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, Jonathan Hyde… the list goes on! You’d think the hero’s brother might just be there for a few laughs, a little comic relief. But John Hannah as Jonathan, Evelyn’s brother, completely steals the show. He’s not just good, he’s a real fan favorite and honestly, a highlight of the whole film!

Evie’s brother, a charming gambler and treasure hunter, often steals the show. He presents himself as a carefree playboy who enjoys the finer things in life, but proves surprisingly brave and fiercely loyal when danger threatens, especially when facing undead creatures. He was a comforting presence in Tomb of the Dragon Emperor – and importantly, one of the few original cast members to return for that film – and another adventure with Rick and Evie wouldn’t feel right without his knack for both creating and resolving problems, albeit clumsily. However, I anticipate the producers will soon be reaching out to the actor who plays him.

4. Imhotep (Hear Me Out…)

Arnold Vosloo was captivating as Imhotep in the first two Mummy films. He brought the character to life with a compelling mix of sadness, charm, and a powerful confidence. He made Imhotep both imposing and surprisingly vulnerable, and even though the character was already dead, a quick recitation from the Book of the Dead easily brought him back!

After being brought back to life in The Mummy Returns, the powerful villain Imhotep gives up his plans to take over the world, devastated by the betrayal of his love, Anck-Su-Namun, and retreats back to the underworld. Before leaving, he shoots Rick and Evie, but Evie bravely stays with Rick even when his life is in danger. Imhotep’s sad expression at this moment reveals the heartbroken man beneath the monster, making him seem more human.

Bringing Imhotep back as a conflicted hero would be a great move. He could team up with Rick and Evie to fight an even more dangerous undead enemy – a storyline we’ve seen successfully with characters like Barbossa in Pirates of the Caribbean, Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the Terminator. While it’s a familiar idea, it would be a logical way to bring the character back, giving him a chance to redeem himself by helping to save the world.

5. Lots of Levity … Keep It Fun!

The 2017 Mummy reboot with Tom Cruise failed with both critics and audiences for a lot of reasons, but mainly because it was just too serious and, frankly, boring!

The 1999 film The Mummy knowingly played up its over-the-top nature and embraced the playful spirit of the classic adventure serials it was based on. It was a thoroughly enjoyable ride, seamlessly blending fantasy, action, and horror. The recent Mummy starring Tom Cruise, however, prioritized action too much, felt overly serious, and ultimately didn’t succeed as either a thrilling adventure or a genuinely frightening horror movie. We should avoid repeating that approach.

Brendan Fraser’s Mummy movies were genuinely funny, and the upcoming film could really use that same light touch. The new movie, directed by Lee Cronin and slated for 2026, is expected to be a scary horror film, so it’s already set to deliver on the frights. What I’d love to see is a return to the humor that made the 1999 film so beloved – moments like the playful banter (“Hey, Beni! Looks to me like you’re on the wrong side of the river!” … “I am a librarian!”) are what fans still remember and enjoy.

The Best Action Movie Every Year of the 1990s

1990: Total Recall

Many consider Total Recall to be Arnold Schwarzenegger’s greatest film. It’s a thrilling and complex science fiction story about a construction worker who gets a false memory of a Mars vacation implanted in his brain. This leads him to uncover a hidden past life as a secret agent – or perhaps it’s all a delusion caused by the implant itself. Director Paul Verhoeven expertly keeps the audience guessing, and the film perfectly showcases Schwarzenegger’s strengths: he’s a man of action, unsure of who he is, questioning his relationships, and surprisingly funny. Total Recall captures everything that made Arnold Schwarzenegger a star – it’s over-the-top, exciting, darkly humorous, and surprisingly thought-provoking.

1991: Terminator 2: Judgment Day

Arnold Schwarzenegger dominated the action movie scene in the early 1990s, and the long-awaited sequel to Terminator was a prime example. Director James Cameron delivered spectacular action sequences and helped launch the age of computer-generated imagery with the innovative T-1000, a Terminator made of liquid metal. The film also introduced audiences to Linda Hamilton’s Sarah Connor, who became an iconic and powerful female action hero. Schwarzenegger’s performance as a reprogrammed robot is both humorous and poignant, and the film’s ending, with his final thumbs-up, is famously moving – if it doesn’t affect you, you might just be a machine!

1992: Hard Boiled

John Woo’s film Hard Boiled begins with a simple scene: someone making a drink. Tequila and soda are poured into a glass, then the glass is slammed onto the bar, mixing the liquids. This opening isn’t just about drinks; it hints at the film’s core idea. Hard Boiled is about what happens when two very different people are thrown together and collide. Chow Yun-Fat and Tony Leung are both great actors on their own, but when they work together, the result is explosive action and movie magic.

1993: The Fugitive

We often underestimate truly enjoyable movies simply because they don’t try to be overly profound or symbolic. But The Fugitive makes a large-scale chase film seem effortless. It’s actually remarkably difficult to create a movie with such a gripping mystery, exciting action, and strong performances – especially from Tommy Lee Jones as the relentless U.S. Marshal Sam Gerard. What makes this film so rewatchable is the exceptional skill and care that went into making it – qualities that are even harder to find in movies today than they were back in 1993.

1994: Drunken Master II

Jackie Chan starred in countless amazing action movies during the 1980s and 90s, but if you could only save one to show people in the future as the ultimate example of his work, it would have to be Drunken Master II. This film brilliantly displays his incredible agility, athleticism, and comedic talent. Chan plays Wong Fei-hung, a Chinese folk hero who becomes an even more formidable fighter when drunk. The premise of “drunken boxing” allows Drunken Master II to perfectly showcase Chan’s skills, combining fast-paced action with clever physical humor.

1995: GoldenEye (1995)

Everyone has a special connection to the first James Bond movie they experience as a child, and for me, it’s GoldenEye. My dad took me to see it when I was fourteen, and I was immediately hooked – a month later, I received several Bond films on VHS as a birthday gift, solidifying my fandom. Beyond the nostalgia, GoldenEye is just a really enjoyable film. It boasts an incredible opening with memorable stunts – a bungee jump off a bridge and a daring leap into a falling plane – a fantastic theme song by Tina Turner, and a compelling villain in Sean Bean. Famke Janssen also shines as a formidable henchwoman. While Pierce Brosnan didn’t reinvent the role of James Bond, as a fourteen-year-old, when he delivered the line “No more foreplay,” I thought he was the coolest person ever.

1996: Mission: Impossible

While later Mission: Impossible films featured even bigger set pieces, the original still delivers fantastic action. It includes a thrilling break-in at the Pentagon, Tom Cruise escaping a massive aquarium explosion, and a memorable showdown on a speeding train where he takes down a helicopter with just a piece of gum. 1996 also gave us great action movies like Michael Bay’s The Rock, but I think the first Mission: Impossible stands out as the best.

1997: Con Air

I have to admit, when Con Air came out, critics weren’t thrilled, especially after Nicolas Cage’s serious performance in Leaving Las Vegas. They seemed confused he’d gone for such a big, over-the-top action movie. But honestly, looking back now, it doesn’t feel dumb at all. It’s actually a really fun, knowingly silly action comedy! The action is fantastic, and the cast is incredible – John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, Danny Trejo, Ving Rhames, a brilliant John Malkovich, and of course, Nicolas Cage as Cameron Poe, the only good guy on a plane full of seriously bad criminals. It’s clear everyone involved knew exactly what kind of movie they were making, and they were clearly having a blast. And that energy? It’s contagious – it makes watching it so much fun!

1998: Ronin

John Frankenheimer’s Ronin is a no-nonsense action film about a group of tough mercenaries hired to pull off a big heist. While the plot isn’t particularly original, the film boasts an incredible cast – including Robert De Niro, Jean Reno, Natascha McElhone, Stellan Skarsgard, Sean Bean, and Jonathan Pryce – and sharp, expertly-written dialogue (reportedly polished by David Mamet under a pen name). It’s also famous for featuring one of the most thrilling car chases ever filmed. Released in 1998 alongside other great action movies like The Mask of Zorro and the first Blade film, Ronin stands out as the best of the bunch.

1999: The Matrix

While The Matrix blends genres like science fiction, superhero stories, and even romance, it’s fundamentally an action film – and one of the most thrilling ever made by a major studio. The filmmakers, the Wachowskis, were inspired by classic martial arts movies and insisted their actors – including Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, and Laurence Fishburne – train extensively to perform the complex fight choreography themselves. This dedication resulted in some of the most dynamic and well-captured fight scenes of the late 90s. Combined with impressive gun battles and the groundbreaking “Bullet Time” effect, The Matrix is a must-mention when discussing the best action movies of that decade.

2025-11-08 00:29