Cita:Mummy 3 Exclusive
Character and casting scoops!
by Stax


February 16, 2007 - IGN has learned that the character of Alex O'Connell, the son of protagonists Rick and Evelyn O'Connell, will return in The Mummy 3 (a.k.a. Mummy: Curse of the Dragon). Casting is now under way for a new actor to play the role.

Alex was introduced as a precocious 10 year-old wisecracker in 2001's The Mummy Returns, where he was played by English child actor Freddie Boath.

The script pages being used to audition actors for the role -- pages penned by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar -- depict Alex as being in his late teens to early 20s. He is every bit the smartass adventurer his dad is, right down to his penchant for firearms and glib remarks.

The three-page scene being used to audition actors is set in a snowy wilderness and has Rick and Alex comparing their preferred weaponry. The scene's humor relies on the phallic overtones of their exchange.

Rick brings along his collection of vintage weaponry, including a Tommy gun and long-barreled .45 caliber revolver. Alex prefers the state-of-the art, namely the Walther P-38 and the AK-47, a weapon that he tells his dad has not even come out yet. This would set the story prior to 1947, and after 1938 since it includes the Walther P-38. (The Mummy Returns was set in 1933.)

The roguish Alex has been through nine schools in three years, plays poker and has gotten into trouble before with a headmaster's daughter. He is resourceful and wily, and is essentially Rick 2.0. Alex also mentions at one point that he digs up relics, so it can be assumed he is an archaeologist or treasure hunter of some sort.

Although neither Evy nor Ardeth Bey are mentioned by name in these pages, one returning character who is referred to as being involved in the plot is Jonathan, Evy's brother who was played by John Hannah in the past Mummy films.

One of the biggest revelations was that the O'Connells are out to fight "the Emperor."

In related news, an IGN reader dropped us a line about The Mummy 3 and director Rob Cohen. "I attend Chapman University in Orange, CA where tonight Rob Cohen did a Q&A after a screening of his film Dragon:The Bruce Lee Story. During the Q&A, someone asked what he thinks about Jackie Chan and Jet Li. In his answer, he confirmed that Jet Li will play the Mummy in The Mummy 3, which he is directing. He also said that the film will take place in China and Michelle Yeoh will also be in the film. The biggest bombshell was that the film's protagonist will not be Brendan Fraser, but rather his character's son, now 22 years-old. Also, Jet Li will be the head Mummy in a group of Mummies that were the Teracotta army."

However, Yeoh's agency Endeavor advised IGN that she is not signed for the film.

According to Chapman University's official site, Cohen did indeed attend a screening and guest appearance for Dragon on Feb. 13 at the school's Lawrence and Kristina Dodge College of Film and Media Arts.

The Mummy 3 is slated to open July 11, 2008.

UPDATE: As it turns out, IESB.net actually reviewed the Mummy 3 script earlier last year (and have now re-posted it) and they reported at that time that an older Alex was going to be in it.