Behind the scenes of the mummy 2017
The 2017 film "The Mummy" aimed to breathe new life into Universal's classic monster franchise, blending modern action with timeless horror elements. While the film received mixed reviews, its production offers insights into the challenges of crafting a compelling monster movie in the 21st century.
The film was one that Future Time Pictures had the pleasure of filming behind the scenes, to view our behind the scenes case study click here.
The Making of a Modern Monster
At its core, a good monster movie relies on several key elements:
1. Impeccable Creature Design: The monster should be visually striking and memorable. In "The Mummy," the titular character, played by Sofia Boutella, underwent extensive makeup and prosthetics to achieve her otherworldly appearance.
2. Sound Design: Effective use of sound can heighten tension and create a chilling atmosphere. The film's sound team worked to create eerie ambient noises that would complement the visual effects.
3. Cinematography: The way a monster is framed and revealed can greatly impact its effectiveness. Director Alex Kurtzman aimed to balance teasing glimpses of the mummy with full reveals to maintain suspense.
4. Thematic Impact: The best monster movies often explore deeper themes beyond simple scares. "The Mummy" attempted to delve into themes of power, corruption, and the consequences of awakening ancient forces.
5. Human Characters: Strong human characters are crucial to complement the monster and provide emotional stakes. The film cast Tom Cruise as Nick Morton, a soldier of fortune who becomes entangled with the mummy's curse.
Crafting a Believable Narrative
To tell a story that feels real within the context of a fantastical premise, the filmmakers focused on:
1. Grounding the mythology: The script drew inspiration from real Egyptian mythology and archaeological discoveries to lend authenticity to the supernatural elements.
2. Modern setting: By placing the story in present-day London and Iraq, the film aimed to make the ancient threat feel more immediate and relatable to contemporary audiences.
3. Character motivations: The writers worked to ensure that each character's actions and decisions stemmed from believable motivations, even in extraordinary circumstances.
4. Practical effects: While CGI was used extensively, the production also employed practical effects and stunts to create a more tangible sense of danger and physicality.
Reimagining Classic Characters
"The Mummy" faced the challenge of updating a classic monster for modern audiences while respecting its cinematic legacy. The filmmakers approached this by:
1. Gender-swapping the monster: Casting Sofia Boutella as the mummy, Princess Ahmanet, offered a fresh take on the character while maintaining its core traits of power and seduction.
2. Expanding the universe: The film introduced Dr. Henry Jekyll (Russell Crowe) as a nod to other classic monsters and to set up a potential shared universe of creature features.
3. Balancing horror and action: While previous mummy films leaned heavily on horror, this version incorporated more action elements to appeal to a broader audience.
4. Exploring moral ambiguity: The film attempted to present its monster as a more complex character with understandable, if misguided, motivations rather than a purely evil entity.
The Cast and Their Contributions
The ensemble cast brought diverse talents to the project:
1. Tom Cruise as Nick Morton: Known for his dedication to stunts and action sequences, Cruise performed many of his own stunts, including a zero-gravity plane crash scene that required 64 takes.
2. Sofia Boutella as Princess Ahmanet: The actress underwent hours of makeup and prosthetics daily to transform into the mummy. Her background in dance helped inform the character's fluid, otherworldly movements.
3. Annabelle Wallis as Jenny Halsey: As an archaeologist, Wallis's character provided much of the exposition needed to explain the mummy's backstory and motivations.
4. Russell Crowe as Dr. Henry Jekyll: Crowe's portrayal of the dual-natured Jekyll/Hyde character was intended to anchor the film in the larger monster universe being developed.
5. Jake Johnson as Chris Vail: Johnson provided comic relief as Nick's ill-fated sidekick, balancing the film's darker elements with moments of levity.
Behind-the-Scenes Challenges
The production faced several hurdles in bringing "The Mummy" to life:
1. Balancing tones: Merging horror, action, and adventure proved challenging, with some critics feeling the film struggled to find a consistent tone.
2. Visual effects: The extensive use of CGI, particularly in large-scale destruction scenes, required careful coordination between the actors and the visual effects team.
3. Franchise expectations: As the intended launch of the "Dark Universe" series, the film had to both stand on its own and set up future installments, which some felt detracted from its focus.
4. Physical demands: The action-heavy production required intense training and preparation from the cast, particularly Cruise and Boutella.
While "The Mummy" may not have achieved the critical acclaim its creators hoped for, the film's production offers valuable insights into the complexities of modernizing classic monster stories. It demonstrates the delicate balance required between honouring cinematic traditions and innovating for contemporary audiences. The challenges faced by the filmmakers highlight the ongoing evolution of the monster movie genre and the enduring appeal of these timeless characters in popular culture.
