Summary:
- The Mummy’s director Stephen Sommers recounted a horrific on-set accident involving Brendan Fraser, who portrayed the protagonist Rick.
- in a scene where Fraser’s character got hung, the rope tightened around his neck too much, knocking him unconscious.
- The Mummy’s fanbase wants Fraser to return to the franchise to film a sequel, rather than a total reboot.
As The Mummy celebrates its 25th anniversary, director Stephen Sommers reminisces about the franchise’s success and a perilous stunt involving Brendan Fraser that resulted in an unexpected knockout, quite literally.
Released in 1999, The Mummy initially received mixed reviews but went on to gross over $400 million globally, paving the way for sequels, a reboot, and a spinoff. While the sequel, The Mummy Returns (2001), didn’t fare better critically, it still raked in $443 million. The spinoff, The Scorpion King, saw modest success with $180 million worldwide and a lukewarm reception.
In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Sommers recounted a harrowing moment during filming when Fraser, portraying Rick O’Connell, was knocked unconscious during a hanging scene that went wrong. This stunt, typically performed with a dummy, was attempted by Fraser himself in pursuit of realism, and knocked the actor unconscious himself.
“We had a great stunt team, but Brendan is a big, tough guy, and he was younger back then. We kind of beat the crap out of him. Everybody talks about the scene when he gets hung. Usually when somebody gets hung, it’s a dummy, and that’s why they put bags over people’s heads. Brendan was always gung-ho, and he was like, ‘Make the noose really tight on me.'” Sommers recalled the situation where Fraser basically inflicted the accident on himself.
“Then he decided to let his knees sag a little bit. But what he forgot is that the minute you put that much pressure on your carotid arteries, it knocks you out. We all looked, and he’s completely unconscious. It was fine, and he recovered in 10 seconds. But he woke up like, ‘What happened?'” He added.
Despite its aging special effects and campy charm, The Mummy and its first sequel continue to hold a cult following, a sentiment not extended to its later iterations. The 2017 reboot starring Tom Cruise and Russell Crowe, though financially successful, did not resonate well with critics or fans. However, the fanbase is still roaring for another movie, some even specifically request a Brendan Fraser comeback.
Recently, Fraser has experienced a resurgence in his career, notably receiving an Oscar for his role in The Whale (2022) and appearing in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon. His iconic portrayal of Rick O’Connell remains a fan favorite, sparking calls for his return to the franchise.
Tom Cruise‘s The Mummy disappointment has proven that the franchise doesn’t need a reboot, but a continuation of Fraser’s storyline as Rick. While the George in the Jungle alum might not look the part anymore, seeing back in the popular series would be a dream come true for the cult fanbase. Hopefully, there will be no rope-related accident this time, though.
