By: MrDisgusting

6 Comments

Unless of course The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor bombs n August 1 (which is won't), Universal Pictures is planning three more sequels to the film, with new leading lady Maria Bello set to topline. During an interview posted online this evening she not only reveals the plans for the sequel, but also explains where the next film will take place! Read on for the skinny.

After a long hiatus, one of cinema's greatest archaeologists is making his way back to the big screen. But if Rick O'Connell's leading lady looks a little different, it's not the age: It actually is a different person.

And that suits Maria Bello just fine, the actress told MTV News, saying she was eager to step into the role of Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell, made famous in the first two "Mummy" films by Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz.

"Let me tell you, I like the other two movies. I love this movie," Bello said of "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" from the blue carpet at the Independent Spirit Awards. "It's so dynamic and like nothing you've ever seen. [Director] Rob Cohen has so changed the franchise." The biggest change of all, of course, being Bello herself.

The blond actress understands that comparisons to Weisz — who reportedly refused to sign onto the sequel due to script issues — are inevitable. But despite the fact that she plays the same character, Bello insists that the roles are not that similar.

"I think Rachel is so brilliant, and she was beautiful in that part, but they wrote my character so differently, I felt like it was a totally different woman," Bello said. "She has the same name, but she's quite a different character."

Part of that manifests itself in more action-oriented challenges, Bello said. While the official plot synopsis centers on father-son duo Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Alex (Luke Ford) waking the shape-shifting mummy Emperor Han (Jet Li), it's Bello, not the rough-and-tumble gentlemen, who gets the film's first kick-ass fight sequence, the actress revealed.

"In the beginning of the movie I do a sword fight with an invisible mummy," Bello said. "I had to be on wires and do sword work. It took days to do, and it was so much fun. I would do flips on the wire and I'd land down and be like a little kid."

Bello admits to having so much fun, in fact, that she's looking forward to three more "Mummy" movies, confessing that she's already signed on for a whole trilogy of sequels.

"I don't know when, but it's going," she said. "[There will] absolutely be 'The Mummy 4.' "

And when there is, Bello says she's already got an idea for where it can film.

"Something that takes place in the Amazon," Bello suggested.

"The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" opens August 1.

Source: MTV

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	horrorchick81 7:04am, March 11, 2008 liked the first two mummies. never seen scorpion king though.....it would be wier dwithout seeing rachel weiz in it though......if there is more mummies i hope brendan fraizer still stars in it.
	Zombie Hell 10:04am, March 11, 2008 Be glad you didn't see Scorpion King, it sucked pretty big. I'd liked to have seen a third Mummy flick, but I've grown to hate Jet Li and his name being attached to this just hurts it for me. Wish someone would just kill him and Jackie Chan already. And Chris Tucker... >.>
	brothergrimm 12:20pm, March 11, 2008 i agree, Scorpion King wasn't the best, and they're making a prequel to a prequel! I do wanna see this one, i just think if they make 3 more without rick i just don't know how it would work
	horrorfan1988 12:45pm, March 11, 2008 I was sold when they said that there was gonna be a new one. And then they topped themselves by casing Maria Bello (Who is rediculously hot). August 1st seems like it's a long way away. Hopefully it'll be better than The Scorpion King.
	Halloween_Night 4:52pm, March 11, 2008 I saw the second film in theaters with my parents, It was pretty good, but I never got obessessed with the flick, but mummy 3 sounds so good maybe i should go back and watch the first two.
	laobuddy4life2 6:56pm, March 11, 2008 I just don't like the fact that the first 2 movies was about Imhotep and now they have changed the setting and story + new cast member to play female lead. I dont see Jet Li as a Mummy...he said his last movie was gonna be a while ago..he should just quit...any wayy...I want to see this but I hope its not disappointing... Im not a fan of Rob Cohen movies...besides Fast and the Furious

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