From the very start of production of The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, director Rob Cohen has been very forthcoming via his official blog on the project and his thoughts behind the third installment of the popular Universal franchise. So, I shouldn't be surprised when someone asks him tough questions and instead of avoiding them, he actually answers them. Still, I found myself surprised here.
Ryan Rotten via Shock Til You Drop had a chance to pose some questions on coming into franchise and taking over for Stephen Sommers, who's currently filming G.I Joe. One of the biggest fan complaints that I've seen after months of coverage for the film is the recasting of the Evie character with Maria Bello taking over for Rachel Weisz.
Well, Ryan asked that particular question and Cohen didn't dodge the issue.
Shock: Can you talk about Maria stepping into the role of Evelyn? Cohen: I finished three drafts of the script very quickly with [Alfred] Gough and [Miles] Millar, the writers and we sent the script off to Brendan and Rachel. I went to Westport and met with him. He and I had an immediate bond. I got a call from Rachel's agent who said, "She's not playing the mother of a 21-year-old and she's not going to China." And I said, "Okay, well I guess she's not doing the movie." I told the studio I'm not changing the design of movie. This is a young bull, old bull conflict and Alex is in every major action scene playing a major part. I don't want to a 16-year-old kid with a gun in his hand, it's going to look ridiculous. The studio stuck by me and when they asked me who I saw as Evelyn I opened it up to American actresses because I think it's easier to learn an accent. I've always admired Maria for her ballsiness. I sent the script to her agent and [made an offer]. I got a call, she wanted to meet and we had a drink. I asked her why she was interested in this. She said, "I'll tell you, when I saw Indiana Jones, the first one, all of my girlfriends wanted to be Karen Allen, but I wanted to be Harrison Ford." I said, you're so going to screen test. She took a few weeks to get her English accent going, I made her a brunette, screen tested her with Brendan and when he saw it, he said, "It would be an honor to work with her."
Shock: Was there any thought to writing Evelyn out? Cohen: I played with it. I played with a new wife. The truth is, this is a marriage 13 years after the other movie - and the chronology of the movie is correct. The first movie was 1925, the second movie was 1933 and this is 1946. But there is such a huge difference once you become parents. It's no longer about how hot you are for each other. [For these two] life has set in. You've had some tough experiences, you've lived through World War II, you've parked your kid in Australia. You suddenly wake up and realize you hardly know your son and each other anymore. That was a perfect door for a new actress to come into. Because the woman you married is not the same woman 20 years later. She's matured and grown and she's seen who you are. The casting of a 40-year-old actress with a 41-year-old actor...the possibilities of a mature relationship were redolent and we were able to do it. Although the audience may be shocked, as they movie goes on they'll be happy. Maria is so strong and kick-ass. I've got her doing a martial arts fight in an evening gown. She does swords, guns...she's mean with a Winchester. She's just a lot of fun to watch. There's intelligence to her.
To read more answers and insight into the upcoming third installment, click here.
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