Thanks to Brendan Fraser’s revitalized career, there has been reignited talk of a possible The Mummy 4, but it will have to avoid the mistake Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull made with Shia LaBeouf. There’s still no official announcement regarding the making or release of the movie, but if there is, fans will be happy to know that Brendan Fraser is open to starring in the film if the story is right. But if The Mummy 4 is to be successful, the right cast must be put around him.
For The Mummy 4 to be successful, Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and John Hannah need to be present. It’s no wonder The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor failed to hit the mark with audiences. The Mummy sequel focused on Alex, Rick and Evelyn’s son, losing the chemistry between Fraser, Weisz and Hannah. The change is a big reason for the success of the first two installments and the harsh criticism of the third installment. If this happens in The Mummy 4, the franchise could repeat the mistake the Indiana Jones franchise made with its casting of Shia LaBeouf.
Why The Mummy 4 Needs Its Own Version of Mutt
Shia LaBeouf played Mutt, the son of Indiana Jones, in the fourth installment of the Indiana Jones franchise. Not only did he add a unique dynamic to the story, but Mutt also played a crucial role in linking the original trilogy with the more recent installment. A similar character in The Mummy 4 could serve a similar purpose, as seen in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, where Luke Ford played Alex. With Fraser and Maria Bello (who replaced Rachel Weisz in the third movie) playing retired roles where they miss the adventure and action, it’s implied that Luke might take the lead role in The Mummy’s upcoming sequels, if any are announced.
Although Fraser has expressed interest in a possible fourth installment, he has also opened up about the grueling toll that filming the first three movies took on him. From injuries sustained on set to surgeries and hospitalizations, Fraser endured a lot during his time playing the iconic role of Rick O’Connell, so he might be unable to perform various stunts. It makes sense for The Mummy 4 to have its own version of Mutt but build the character cleverly to avoid losing the zeal of the franchise’s first two installments.
How The Mummy 4 Can Avoid Indiana Jones’ Shia LaBeouf Problem
Shia LaBeouf’s role as Indiana Jones’ son has been hotly debated, with opinions vastly differing. During an interview, he even told Los Angeles Times that he felt like he dropped the ball on the legacy fans loved and cherished, adding that Ford wasn’t thrilled with the movie either. Ford responded, commenting, “Shia is ambitious, attentive, and talented – and he’s learning how to deal with a situation which is very unique and difficult.“
The Mummy 4 can avoid Indiana Jones’ Shia LaBeouf problem by fixing a few things that were missed in the franchise’s third installment. Due to the replacement of Weisz in Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and the introduction of Luke Ford, who seemed to step on the toes of Fraser’s character, it was hard for audiences to immediately embrace the brand-new dynamic. Like Shia in Indiana Jones and The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, audiences weren’t ready for Rick to be replaced by his son. The next Mummy movie should take the time to develop Luke Ford’s character while giving fans what they want to see with the return of Fraser, Weisz, and Hannah. This might be the surest way for The Mummy 4 to avoid Indiana Jones’ Shia LaBeouf problem and guarantee the film’s success.
