25 years have passed since the release of the 1999 action blockbuster, The Mummy, directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Brendan Fraser. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Sommers shared his thoughts on the 2017 reboot of the franchise, which starred Tom Cruise and was met with disappointment at the box office.
Sommers expressed his surprise and disappointment at not being contacted by the writers or director of the reboot, considering his involvement in the original Mummy films. He emphasized the importance of common courtesy in such situations, stating that he would have reached out if he were to take over someone else's project.
While the 1999 film led to two sequels, an animated series, and a spin-off movie, Universal's attempt to launch a Dark Universe with the 2017 reboot failed after just one installment. Despite not being involved in the third Mummy film, Sommers remained as a producer and acknowledged the challenges of creating a successful third installment.
Reflecting on the past, Sommers explained his decision not to direct the third Mummy film, citing the difficulty of following up on the success of the first two movies. He also revealed the unique circumstances that led to the setting of the third film in China.
Although the original Mummy series with Brendan Fraser concluded in 2008, there have been rumors of a possible fourth installment, especially with Fraser's resurgence in recent years. While the likelihood of a new film remains uncertain, Universal's ongoing trend of reimagining classic monsters may eventually circle back to The Mummy.
For fans looking to revisit the 1999 classic, The Mummy is currently available for streaming on Peacock, offering a trip down memory lane to the beloved adventure film that captured audiences' hearts a quarter of a century ago.