Brendan Fraser is 'open' to returning for a 'Mummy' sequel

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By stefan armitage

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Brendan Fraser has delighted fans all over the world after revealing that he is open to returning for a potential sequel to The Mummy franchise.

All the way back in 1999, Fraser captivated audiences with his portrayal of Rick O'Connell, the army captain-turned-adventurer who inadvertently awakens the cursed high priest Imhotep and must work with Evelyn Carnahan (played by Rachel Weisz) in order to overthrow him.

Fraser would return as the beloved O'Connell in the following sequels, The Mummy Returns (2001) and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008).

The Mummy franchise was hugely popular and successful, with the main trilogy going on to gross over $459 million.

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Credit: Maximum Film / Alamy

However, not long after the third movie, Fraser took an extended break from acting and was seldom on our screens. In a 2018 interview with GQ, the actor claimed that his career had been negatively impacted due to an alleged sexual assault at the hands of the former president of the HFPA, Philip Berk, in the summer of 2003.

The actor claimed that Berk groped him inappropriately in a crowded room, in a moment that left the actor overcome with panic and fear. (Berk has gone to to deny these allegations.)

Fraser revealed to GQ in the interview: "Am I still frightened? Absolutely. Do I feel like I need to say something? Absolutely. Have I wanted to many, many times? Absolutely. Have I stopped myself? Absolutely."

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Credit: INSTAR Images LLC / Alamy

However, thanks to his roles in shows like Doom Patrol and the Oscar buzz surrounding his upcoming movie, The Whale, Fraser is experiencing what many fans are referring to as "The Brenaissance".

Now, in a recent interview with Variety, Fraser has revealed that he would be up for returning as O'Connell - under the right circumstances.

When asked if he would be interested in resisting the franchise, Fraser admitted: "I don’t know how it would work."

But - in a glimmer of hope - the beloved star added: But I’d be open to it if someone came up with the right conceit."

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Credit: PictureLux / The Hollywood Archive / Alamy

Universal Pictures attempted to revive The Mummy franchise back in 2017 - this time with Hollywood legend Tom Cruise starring as the lead protagonist, Nick Morton.

Sadly fans and critics did not respond positively to the reboot, with the movie currently only boasting a 5.4/10 score on IMDb.

For comparison, the original Mummy movie currently has a respectable 7.1/10 on IMDb.

Featured image credit: Rich Gold / Alamy