Why Brendan Fraser Thinks ‘The Mummy’ Reboot Failed

Brendan Fraser believes Tom Cruise’s The Mummy failed because it lacked any fun.

The 56-year-old actor starred as the character Rick O’Connell, the treasure hunter, on three occasions in Stephen Sommers’ successful Mummy film series, a blockbuster at the box office.

In 2017, the film “The Mummy,” directed by Cruise, was unveiled, aiming to initiate a series of connected films known as the Dark Universe, inspired by the classic Universal Monsters. However, it received poor reviews and disappointing box office returns, causing the plan for a cinematic monster universe to be abandoned.

Fraser recently shared his thoughts on what caused Cruise’s “The Mummy” to underperform, emphasizing that it failed to deliver the thrill and adventure found in Sommers’ movies.

At the Fan Expo Denver, Brendan commented: “I understand that Tom Cruise faced challenges in making his film, as we all are aware of the difficulties involved in producing such a movie.

Excluding one title, ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’, a common characteristic of these movies is that they were enjoyable, offering an exhilarating experience, leaving you eager for more.

The solution lies in providing everyone exactly what they truly desire. Deviate from this course…

In the initial two parts of the Fraser series, Sommers took on the role of director, with performances by Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, and Arnold Vosloo. He was also responsible for producing the third installment.

Previously, Sommers had made it clear that he wasn’t fond of the remake, expressing frustration because directors Alex Kurtzman, David Koepp, Christopher McQuarrie, and Dylan Kussman chose not to reach out to him for suggestions or guidance.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he expressed that he felt slighted since neither the writers nor the director of the Tom Cruise film reached out to him for collaboration.

I get involved in projects when I’m supposed to assume responsibility. The third one, which Rob [Cohen] directed, is essentially my project, so I chose to produce it instead of directing to avoid stepping on his toes. However, I had no role in the Tom Cruise film; they never reached out to me or asked for my involvement. I was occupied with other matters at the time, and it’s not like I was upset about it. I simply believe it’s polite to be informed when such opportunities arise.

In 2026, I’m eagerly looking forward to witnessing a fresh interpretation of the classic horror tale, “The Mummy,” from the talented director Lee Cronin, who is best known for his work on “Evil Dead Rise.” This new take on the cursed Egyptian monster will be making its way to theaters through New Line Cinema in April of that year. Interestingly, this marks the first film in the “Mummy” franchise not to be distributed by Universal Pictures.

Cronin has promised that the approach he envisions for the film will be a unique take on the Mummy series, unlike anything you’ve seen with your eyes before.

He added: “I’m digging deep into the earth to raise something very ancient and very frightening.”

The Worst Horror Movies of 2025

Until Dawn

In a nutshell, the movie “Until Dawn” revolves around a band of college friends who find themselves in a nightmarish loop of supernatural terror as they search for one friend’s missing sister. However, the narrative becomes tangled with complex plot twists, puzzling revelations, and minimal character development. The only standout character is actress Ji-young Yoo’s eccentric self-proclaimed psychic, amidst a group that generally falls short of likeability. Interesting creature designs hint at what the film could have been if its script had matched the wit and brilliance of a movie like “The Cabin in the Woods.” Regrettably, this 2025 haunted house production fails to leave a lasting impact due to its lackluster execution compared to its superior 2015 video game predecessor.

The Woman in the Yard

In “The Woman in the Yard,” a family grappling with the unfortunate demise of their father experiences eerie torment from an enigmatic, veiled woman at their secluded farmhouse. The storyline holds potential, and to give credit where it’s due, the performances are quite compelling – Danielle Deadwyler delivers a heart-wrenching portrayal of a mother in turmoil, while Peyton Jackson convincingly plays a teenager overwhelmed by responsibilities beyond his years. Regrettably, the film falls short in delivering the intense horror that its genre suggests. The movie’s emotionally charged symbols and gradual plot development may be overly deliberate, leaving viewers feeling unsatisfied due to a lack of resolution and potentially losing their attention along the way.

M3GAN 2.0

In a slightly roundabout manner, the upcoming film titled “M3GAN 2.0,” which is the sequel to the 2023 sci-fi horror comedy “M3GAN,” isn’t strictly a horror movie but more of a sci-fi action film with horror elements. This description might be a bit of a cheat, as it leans heavily on horror tropes. In this sequel, the violent and slasher doll-turned-superhero lite, M3GAN, is pitted against a larger, more menacing AI threat, reminiscent of “Terminator 2.” Despite maintaining some of the flamboyance and witty dialogue that made the original so enjoyable, “M3GAN 2.0” is marred by an overly complex plot and sudden shifts in tone, which may disappoint fans yearning for the campy horror thrills of the first installment.

The Ritual

Have you come across the tale about the two priests, bound by traumatic experiences, one an elder with a checkered past, the other grappling with his beliefs, who stumble into an exorcism? I’ve heard it too. This religious suspense film is overflowing with exorcism tropes more than you can count on your fingers and toes. It claims to be based on real events! One of the priests is a disenchanted skeptic, disillusioned by the Church! A young woman in a white nightgown levitates above her bed and speaks in languages unknown! Despite boasting an impressive cast featuring Al Pacino and Dan Stevens, The Ritual essentially rehashes every possession and exorcism film you’ve previously watched, offering nothing fresh to the pulpit.

Bloat

In the horror movie set in Japan, a family’s peaceful vacation takes a terrifying turn when their youngest member appears to be possessed by an evil water spirit known as a kappa after a close call with drowning. The story, which draws inspiration from Japanese horror, might have been intriguing if it didn’t seem overly familiar and worn out. However, the use of a webcam narrative (similar to that in movies like Unfriended or Searching) actually diminishes potential scares. Regrettably, this reimagining of Japanese folklore struggles to stay afloat due to unengaging characters and predictable plotlines that make it hard to connect with anything on screen. In truth, the real legend of the kappa is much more chilling and captivating than what this film offers.

Opus

The idea is fascinating: A young reporter receives an invitation to the stronghold of a former pop star turned cult leader who vanished years ago, only to resurface with a new album and ardent followers. Initially, it promises to be a complex thriller with intriguing concepts, but it unfortunately transforms into a foreseeable tale, lacking depth and substance, due to its one-dimensional characters.

John Malkovich is captivating as usual, portraying a pop superstar character with suspicious motives, but his enchanting allure cannot rescue this film from resembling an out-of-tune remake of A24’s superior production, “Midsommar.”

The story begins with an intriguing concept, but it becomes predictable and lacks substance due to its flat characters. John Malkovich is great, but the movie still feels like a poor imitation of the excellent film, “Midsommar.

Fear Street: Prom Queen

In 2021, I really enjoyed parts one to three of the Netflix series “Fear Street”. It was full of nostalgia and creepiness. The horror trilogy, which jumps between different decades and is based on R.L. Stine’s book series of the same name, had its flaws but was generally entertaining. However, its fourth installment didn’t live up to the same standard. Set in the 1980s, this slasher movie doesn’t just draw inspiration from the ’80s; it depends on it entirely.

The story follows the senior dance at Shadyside High, where a mysterious killer is picking off the prom queen candidates one by one. This plot may sound familiar because you’ve likely seen this movie under numerous other titles. Unfortunately, “Fear Street: Prom Queen” is derivative and lacking in originality, with flat characters and an annoying lack of campiness that should be characteristic of its setting. It fails to impress as a worthy addition to the series.

2025-07-10 16:25