While many of Brendan Fraser’s fans remember his appearances in The Mummy franchise fondly, the actor doesn’t recall working on the third installment with quite the same joy. According to Fraser, working on The Mummy 3: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was a shoot that was full of “pain and self loathing” for the much-loved star.
Thanks to Brendan Fraser’s recent return to Hollywood, The Mummy films have been thrust back into the spotlight, with fans wondering if it is too late for the actor to return to the role after so many years. However, when it comes to reminiscing about the franchise, Fraser recently told Deadline that he had to suffer for the threequel’s actions sequences. He said:
“[I] was like a gladiator with muscle tape and ice packs, strapping on this Transformer-like exoskeleton just to get through the scene.”
Fraser was asked how much self-loathing went into putting himself through such a traumatic shoot, to which he responded:
“Absolutely, there was self-loathing. I think on some level I felt I deserved [a beating] and wanted to be the one who got in the first punch.”
The third movie in The Mummy franchise was not as well received as the previous entries and became the last film in the franchise for Fraser. With a resurgence in interest in both the actor and movies of the late 90s, the question of whether Fraser would return to for a fourth Mummy movie has come up frequently. In addressing whether he would play Rick O’Connell again, Fraser commented:
“I don’t think I’ve been this famous and unsalaried at the same time in my professional life, so sign me up.”
Brendan Fraser’s Popularity Is As High As Ever Among His Fans
Despite being out of the Hollywood game for some time, Brendan Fraser’s return has been an immediately welcome one for his long-term fans. While there was outrage over the cancelation of HBO Max movie Batgirl, which would have seen Fraser playing the villain Firefly, his performance in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale has gained him both audience and critical acclaim. While the actor was closed out of the Golden Globes, with Austin Butler taking the Best Actor award for his role in Elvis, Fraser picked up a Best Actor award at the Critic’s Choice Awards, and has been nominated in the category at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Whether Fraser can complete a dream comeback by nabbing his first Oscar is something that is hanging in the balance, with the actor facing stiff competition in a category that could go one of many ways. However, the reaction of his fans has certainly shown the star how much support he has from those who have been waiting for his return for a number of years. One thing that clear is that Brendan Fraser’s time to shine has come, and he seems ready to grab that opportunity with both hands. He will next be seen in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and starring with Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage in the comedy Brothers.