Key Takeaways:
– Universal drew inspiration from the unearthing of Tutankhamun’s tomb in 1922.
– The 1932 version of The Mummy, meant as a follow-up to the success of Dracula and Frankenstein, was a box office success.
– Skeletons of the original Egyptian backstory are still visible in the 1999 classic.
– The studio was reluctant to invest more in The Mummy reboot until deciding to make it a big budget adventure movie.
– The 1999 classic wasn’t just a summer hit but an enduring classic, sparking intrigue for the horror genre for many.
The 1930s to the 1950s witnessed the birth of some universally adored horror icons under the Universal studio. Among these, one iconic character that witnessed a successful comeback was The Mummy, who got a new lease of life in a family-friendly adventure movie in 1999. Here we peel back the bandages to unravel the original creation and subsequent evolution of The Mummy.
The journey of The Mummy starts with the 1922 discovery of Egyptian pharaoh, Tutankhamun’s tomb. The widespread fascination with the mummy and the accompanying tales of the cursed tomb resonated strongly with the executives at Universal. Consequently, an Egyptian-themed horror story was commissioned to follow the success of Dracula and Frankenstein.
Employed to pen this story were Richard Schayer and Nina Wilcox Putnam. They conjured a tale whose flesh and structure was radically altered by screenwriter John L. Balderston that morphed into the tragic backstory of Imhotep, a love-torn high priest turned mummy. Now, let’s fast forward to the successful reimagination of this horror gem in 1999 through the eyes and hands of Stephen Sommers.
The original ‘Mummy’ had rested in the movie-making crypts since the ‘50s, until producers James Jacks and Sean Daniel decided to resurrect it in the late ‘80s with a fresh perspective backed by a modest budget. However, it was only when the script was transformed into a 1920s period piece that Universal decided to up their investment, finally setting the stage for The Mummy to ascend as a big budget adventure saga.
Sommers, the writer and director of the reborn Mummy, brought together terror and action to give us a riveting narrative set in the backdrop of 20th century Egypt. With his goal to recreate the original story on a grand scale, he sought the help of Industrial Light and Magic to enhance the visual experience, bringing to life a mummy that was faster, meaner, and scarier than ever before, with a hefty budget of eighty million dollars to drive the CGI magic.
Casting for the film brought big names like Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah and Arnold Vosloo into the cinematic mix. The film was shot in England and Morocco, with desert storms and local wildlife posing challenges. Fraser, essaying the main character Rick O’Connell, even endured a near-fatal hanging scene, exemplifying the hurdles overcome by the team for the epic production.
Despite the hefty budget, Universal’s investment paid off. The revamped Mummy scored high on acceptance among movie-goers, not only covering its costs but also amassing a global collection of over four hundred and eighteen million dollars, making this rebooted classic a box-office juggernaut.
The Mummy did not just entrance viewers in the summer of ’99 but also sparked lasting interest in its fans. It paved the way for a myriad of sequels and spin-offs, proving itself an enduring classic. While there is still hope for Fraser to reprise his role as Rick O’Connell one more time, fans worldwide can revisit this classic, be it for nostalgia’s sake or as first-time viewers ready to embark on a timeless adventure of grandeur and fright. Despite the now-outdated CGI effects, the entertainment value of The Mummy is as solid as the pyramids it thrives in.
