Tag: The Mummy

Will Stephen Sommers Return for The Mummy 4? Why His Huge Absence May Matter More Than Reuniting The Cast

As The Mummy 4 rises from development sands, the return of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz sparks hope. But whether Stephen Sommers returns may matter more than nostalgia, especially when tonal stewardship defines the franchise’s legacy.

The Mummy 4 PosterWith The Mummy 4 officially greenlit, there’s reason to celebrate. Rachel Weisz is confirmed to be reprising her role. And without Brendan Fraser, no continuation can take place. And for that, many fans are cheering, myself included. Also potentially on the roster is Oded Fehr. Although he is busy with Star Trek: Starfleet Academy, the hope is that he has interest in returning too. The release date of May 19, 2028!

But in what remains unclear is whether Stephen Sommers will be involved in any capacity. No further information has been made since the prior announcement. His two films were not just action spectacles, but also true pulp adventures. This director revived the spirit of the classics, and edged it towards classic Indiana Jones territory. They also had that sexiness and suave of those Doc Savage radio dramas. And in an era where Egypt was being discovered, danger can be hidden anywhere!

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The Mummy 4-Ever? But Will It Be the Legendary One Fans Remember?

Brendan Fraser & the Radio Silence crew are on board for The Mummy 4, but details remain buried in the sand. With #Blumhouse’s 2026 take, @UniversalPics’ version might be cursed by a classic case of “who’s on second?” #TheMummy

The Mummy 4 and TrilogyGood news, Mummy fans—Stephen Sommers’ adventure classic might just rise from its sarcophagus once more. While Arnold Vosloo’s return as Imhotep isn’t guaranteed, Brendan Fraser and the Radio Silence duo are on board. Fraser told Variety he’s open to revisiting Rick O’Connell “with the right script,” and that’s the key phrase. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will direct, and David Coggeshall is developing the screenplay. Just how complete that script is remains unknown until pre-production officially begins.

Unconfirmed is if Rachel Weisz is truly on board. She’s had a brilliant life outside of Hollywood with independent productions like The Whistleblower and Disobedience. She made a step back into higher profile roles like Melina Vostokoff in Black Widow. Talks are indeed happening. The biggest factor in seeing the couple return is that both are adamant about a good script! And without Jonathan (John Hannah), the comic relief, the odds are 50-50 to greenlight it. I can’t see a movie working without this rogue in tow.

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Stephen Sommers’s The Mummy at 25 Years!

If you haven’t gone to the theatrical celebration, that’s okay. We can still have cake to celebrate The Mummy’s Silver Anniversary!

The Mummy PosterToday marks The Mummy’s anniversary! This reboot of the Boris Karloff classic debuted on May 7, 1999, and while I could’ve gone to a theatrical celebration, sadly there wasn’t one screening in my city. The reason this film stands the test of time is that it’s simply fun! It captures the true essence of what pulp fiction should represent and gives us characters I want to root for. It’s not just another Brendan Fraser film. Instead, it’s a career launcher for the other two main leads, namely Rachel Weisz and Arnold Vosloo. The former loves appearing in indie films more than mainstream ones, and the latter continues to pop up in fondly loved projects, ranging from Veritas: The Quest (which I feel deserves a reboot) and even Condor’s Nest to show the type of roles that challenge him as a Hollywood actor.

However, I must note that Kevin J. O’Connor stole the show. As a cowardly and conniving Beni Gabor, without him, I doubt the search for The Mummy’s treasures would’ve been known, and although Evie was the reason for his awakening, both had important roles to play! Continue reading “Stephen Sommers’s The Mummy at 25 Years!”

Returning to the Fold: Playing Magic the Gathering’s Pre-release Hour of Devastation

mtg__hod_prerelease_product

By Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

I have not played the customizable card game, Magic the Gathering (MtG) for a very long time. In the past, I enjoyed how this game played with the legends from an ancient exotic world or looked at a genre (especially horror) in new ways. The best legacy era expansion sets are Arabian Nights and The Dark. I eventually stopped playing because folks with plenty of money to buy those great cards made me feel I could not compete and I did not find the world they created for MtG all that engaging. Finding casual games at gaming stores was tough.

Also, I wanted Wizards of the Coast to offer a new Middle Eastern themed set. The legends and lore of Ancient Egypt are the most requested and everybody knew it. Twenty-three years later since the release of Arabian, this company finally delivered with Amonkhet. The subset Hour of Devestation looks great. I saw cards showing the designers were looking deep into to Kemetic lore get the mystique right. The first set only whetted many enthusiasts appetite.

Pre-release challenges at gaming stores occurred over the weekend and I thought why not, let’s jump in. I know the core game mechanics and I am playing Magic Duels. Hopefully, I will not suck going up against experienced players. At least the field is level in the sealed game-play format. I went to a store where I did not feel intimidated. Out of the four stores in town, only one looked hopeful. It was not an overstuffed operation and it smelled clean. I plan on playing again this coming weekend (July 14-17) when this expansion hits all retail outlets.

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Could the Gods and Monsters in The Mummy Want Their Humanity Back? An Analysis

mummyposterBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

* Spoiler Alert

Whoever wanted to revitalize Universal Studio’s vast catalogue of monsters into a new Dark Universe needs a lesson in understanding what made their golden era great. In the 40’s, the studio executives simply wanted to combine terror and comedy to reinvigorate box office sales, especially in-between or following a World War. The scares are delightful in Dracula (1931) and the laughs were genuine in Abbott and Costello meets Frankenstein (1948). I feel these two are milestones of an impressive and unintended plan to unite properties.

The whole notion to have a host of these beasts meeting or allying was never considered during these early days. What happened back then was more like a happy accident. Also, the latter film was assembled due to this studio suddenly owning the contracts of these comedians after they merged with International Pictures and producer Robert Arthur suggested pairing the boys with Frankenstein’s monster.

Fast forward to now, the intention to craft a shared world to compete with other studios (namely Marvel Entertainment’s) than to find effective pairings of star power with a property is questionable. Johnny Depp and Tom Cruise are neither exactly huge draws in every world-wide market. When considering the types of roles that earned them their best reputation, Depp can play a terrific smarmy pirate and Cruise that action-hero super-spy.

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R.I.P. The Mummy (1999-2008) Retrospective

the_mummyBy Ed Sum (The Vintage Tempest)

Before Stephen Sommers version of The Mummy gets fully buried in the wake of the upcoming 2017 film next month, I have to fondly recall the elements that I enjoyed from this past iteration. The 1999 film was heavily inspired by the pulps. Although its star, Rick O’Connell (played by Brendan Fraser) would gladly let his son Alex keep the world at peace, I do not think a consortium existed to help develop the continuity needed for the spin-off material.

If that was the case, I imagine the character of Anubis would play an important role throughout the entire saga instead of being a background character for the first two movies. He is the god of death, and before Osiris landed in the Underworld and succeeded to the role, was in control of many a person’s fate should anyone die within his domain, the land of Egypt.

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