Brendan Fraser, known for his role as Rick O’Connell in Stephen Sommers’ The Mummy series, recently commented on the disappointing performance of Tom Cruise’s 2017 reboot of the franchise. Fraser joined his former co-stars Oded Fehr, John Hannah, and Patricia Velasquez at Fan Expo Denver for a panel discussion centered on the series’ lasting popularity and cultural impact. During this conversation, the group reflected on the reboot’s critical and commercial failure and its effect on Universal Studios’ plans for a connected monster movie universe.
Insights Into Why Fraser’s Films Succeeded
At the panel moderated by Collider, the topic of Tom Cruise’s reboot arose, revealing the broader context of Universal’s attempt to relaunch The Mummy as part of a shared universe including characters like Dr. Jekyll and The Invisible Man. Those ambitions ended after the reboot’s underperformance. Fraser weighed in on the difficulties of producing such movies, stating,
I really don’t know. I know Tom Cruise tried to make his movie and it ain’t easy!,
and added,
We all know how hard this movie is to make…
He suggested that his original Mummy films succeeded because they delivered excitement and enjoyment, describing them as a thrill ride and fun experiences, apart from the less favored third film, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
Fraser on What Fans Really Want From The Mummy
Brendan Fraser emphasized that the key to success lies in meeting audience expectations. He explained,
The answer is you’ve just got to give everybody what they really really want. If you stray from that path…
This perspective aligns with his previous remarks in a 2022 interview with Variety, where he characterized Tom Cruise’s reboot as a straight-ahead horror movie. Fraser stressed that The Mummy franchise should avoid being overly terrifying or frightening. He also expressed openness to returning as Rick O’Connell should he be presented with a compelling story for a potential fourth installment.
Understanding the Reboot’s Critical and Audience Reception
The 2017 reboot starring Tom Cruise received overwhelmingly negative reviews, reflected in its 15% critic score and 35% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Metacritic ratings also indicated a poor reception, with a metascore of 34 and a user score of 4.7, highlighting the widespread disappointment among critics and viewers alike. This reaction played a significant role in Universal’s decision to halt plans for its envisioned interconnected monster universe.
The Enduring Appeal of The Mummy Franchise
Brendan Fraser and his co-stars’ recent reunion showcases the enduring affection fans have for the original Mummy series, which combined adventure and thrills in a way that resonated broadly. Fraser’s reflections demonstrate the challenges studios face in rebooting beloved franchises, especially when attempting to shift the tone dramatically. As interest in classic adventure franchises remains strong, Fraser’s willingness to revisit Rick O’Connell suggests there could still be life in the series if the right creative vision emerges.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. When was Tom Cruise diagnosed?
A. When Tom Cruise was seven, doctors found he had dyslexia, a condition that makes reading difficult. This made reading tough during high school and his early acting days. Despite this challenge, Cruise did not let it stop him from pursuing his dreams.
Q. What is Tom Cruise’s religion?
A. In 1955, Hubbard made a list of 63 famous people he aimed to convert to Scientology. Notable members of the group now include John Travolta, Tom Cruise, Kirstie Alley, Nancy Cartwright, and Juliette Lewis.
Q. What syndrome does Tom Cruise have?
A. When Tom Cruise was seven, doctors told him he had dyslexia, which makes reading difficult. This issue made high school and early acting jobs tough for him.
Q. Does Tom Cruise have any disabilities?
A. Tom Cruise struggles with reading because he was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was 7. During high school and early in his acting career, he found reading, especially scripts, very hard.
