Could it be possible? A MUMMY who could actually maybe pass for Egyptian??
Sure enough, Algerian actress KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE actress Sofia Boutella is in talks to stalk Tom Cruise as THE MUMMY in Uni’s big kickoff to their Classic Monster Universe.
I knew as I was watching KINGSMAN that this young woman was going to get a bigger shot pretty soon, but I don’t think I expected something like this (which presumably will also not require her to recite a lot of English dialogue). I don’t know what’s more surprising; that THE MUMMY will be a woman (immediately giving it a little identity apart from the Fraser-MUMMYs, aside from the contemporary setting) or that, for the first time that I can remember, it’s actually being played by someone from North Africa. Say what you will about the performances by Boris Karloff, Arnold Vosloo, Christopher Lee, and the rest of the actors who have played the titular character, but they are all, how do you say, white. There could not possibly be a more Egypt-centric horror villain, yet we have never seen anyone from the region in habit the role, which immediately makes me super-happy that they’re going this route. Color me impressed.
In KINGSMAN, Boutella showed a ton of presence with nary a line of dialogue, and I could see her utilizing her Mummy getup with the same skill that she showed working those Pistorius blade-legs. A woman mummy instantly makes this something of a different beast (heh) than we’re used to, and if Boutella and Cruise both officially sign, I’ll be looking forward to their match-up and inevitable showdown.
So now, from here on out, if you hire an Englishman to play your Mummy, you’re pretty much just racist (unless he/she is in shrouds).
Your MUMMY won’t come to save you on March 24th, 2017.
