I talked to ChatGPT all about 1999’s “The Mummy”
One of my dominating personality traits is that I love “The Mummy” starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. Naturally, I had to ask ChatGPT about the 1999 action-adventure comedy.
We’re at a precipice in humanity: The power of AI is now at the fingertips of the masses and it’s up to us to learn how it harness its god-like power to change the world.
For me, I just wanted to ask it about my favorite movie, “The Mummy.”
And it did not disappoint.
What ChatGPT thinks (or doesn’t) about 1999’s “The Mummy”
I started off the conversation asking ChatGPT about its opinion about the movie. Naturally, it reminded me that it is artificial and doesn’t have an opinion, but gave me a great summary of the film.
“The Mummy” is an American action-adventure film directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and Arnold Vosloo. The film is a loose remake of the 1932 film of the same name and is set in 1926, where a group of adventurers accidentally awaken Imhotep, an ancient Egyptian priest who had been cursed and buried alive centuries ago. The film received mixed reviews upon its release, but has since become a cult classic.
From a technical standpoint, “The Mummy” is well-executed, with impressive special effects, action sequences, and a solid soundtrack. The film’s pacing is also well-handled, as it balances suspense, action, and humor throughout its runtime. The performances of the cast are generally well-received, with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in particular standing out for their chemistry and charisma on screen.
However, some critics have criticized the film for its lack of originality, as it borrows heavily from other adventure films such as “Indiana Jones” and “Romancing the Stone.” Additionally, the film has been criticized for its portrayal of Egyptian culture and its historical inaccuracies.
Overall, “The Mummy” is an enjoyable film that offers a fun and exciting adventure for its audience, but its reliance on genre clichés and lack of cultural sensitivity may detract from its appeal for some viewers.
That answer sparked a plethora of new questions, but I wanted to start basic.
Easy Comparisons
What are the differences between 1999’s and 1932’s “The Mummy?”
1932’s “The Mummy” and 1999’s “The Mummy” are two different films with distinct differences in their storylines, characters, and themes.
The original “The Mummy,” directed by Karl Freund, was released in 1932 and starred Boris Karloff as the title character, Imhotep. The film tells the story of an ancient Egyptian priest who is resurrected after 3,700 years and seeks to reunite with his long-lost love. Unlike the 1999 version, the original “The Mummy” is primarily a horror film that focuses on atmosphere and suspense, rather than action and adventure.
In contrast, the 1999 version of “The Mummy,” directed by Stephen Sommers, is an action-adventure film that borrows heavily from other adventure franchises such as “Indiana Jones.” The film stars Brendan Fraser as Rick O’Connell, a soldier who joins forces with a librarian named Evelyn Carnahan (played by Rachel Weisz) to stop an ancient Egyptian priest named Imhotep (played by Arnold Vosloo) from taking over the world. While the 1999 version also deals with the concept of an ancient Egyptian priest being resurrected, it is a much more light-hearted and humorous take on the story.
Another significant difference between the two films is their use of special effects. The original “The Mummy” relies on practical effects and makeup to create the iconic look of Imhotep, while the 1999 version uses a mix of practical and digital effects to bring the mummy and other supernatural elements to life.
Overall, while both films deal with similar themes of resurrection and ancient Egyptian mythology, their tonal differences and storytelling approaches make them distinct works with their own unique strengths and weaknesses.
A pretty good answer definitely. ChatGPT grazed the surface of the differences, but I was impressed.
I wanted to dig even deeper.
Could the AI recommend me things similar to my beloved franchise?
Spoiler alert: It did.
At first, I asked it specifically about other movies I could watch. It suggested (of course) it’s popular sequel “The Mummy Returns” and it’s wildly less popular (and Rachel Weisz-less) third installment “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.”
It also suggested some of my other favorite action-adventures, including “The Curse of the Black Pearl” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark,” but it also suggested 2011’s Spielberg animated film “The Adventures of Tintin.”
I also asked it about other forms of content that I could consume like TV, books and comics. Here’s what it gave me:
If you enjoyed 1999’s “The Mummy,” here are some other movies, TV shows, books, and comics that you may also enjoy:
Indiana Jones series — Like “The Mummy,” the Indiana Jones movies are action-adventure films that deal with ancient artifacts and mythology.
Tomb Raider series — The Tomb Raider movies and games also feature a female protagonist who goes on adventures to find ancient artifacts and uncover hidden secrets.
National Treasure series — These movies follow a treasure hunter who seeks to uncover hidden historical artifacts, much like the characters in “The Mummy.”
The Librarian series — This TV series follows a librarian who goes on adventures to find ancient artifacts and protect them from those who would use them for evil.
Supernatural — This long-running TV show follows two brothers who hunt monsters and supernatural beings, often dealing with ancient lore and mythology.
The Scorpion King — This spin-off film from “The Mummy” series follows the character of Mathayus (played by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) on a quest to avenge his brother’s death.
Rick Riordan’s novels — Rick Riordan’s books, including the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the Kane Chronicles, and the Magnus Chase series, are based on various mythologies and are filled with action, adventure, and humor.
The Sandman — This comic book series by Neil Gaiman deals with mythology and supernatural beings and is filled with rich storytelling and memorable characters.
Assassin’s Creed series — This video game franchise takes players on historical adventures across various time periods, often featuring hidden artifacts and ancient conspiracies.
These are just a few suggestions, but there are many other movies, TV shows, books, and comics that explore similar themes and elements as “The Mummy” and may appeal to fans of the franchise.
I love that it went outside the box and even suggested video games to play! It even connected “The Mummy” to history, mythology, magic and treasure hunting.
Recasting “The Mummy” for 2023 audiences
Then, I asked ChatGPT to recast the characters if they remade the movie in 2023.
Rick O’Connell — For the role of Rick, actors like Chris Hemsworth, Tom Holland, or Taron Egerton could be considered. All three have experience in action-adventure films and have a similar physicality to Brendan Fraser, who played Rick in the original film.
Evelyn Carnahan — For the role of Evelyn, actresses like Emma Stone, Daisy Ridley, or Brie Larson could be considered. All three have shown a range of acting abilities and could bring a fresh take to the character.
Imhotep — For the role of Imhotep, actors like Rami Malek, Alexander Skarsgård, or Jason Momoa could be considered. All three have the physical presence and acting range to play a complex villain like Imhotep.
Ardeth Bay — For the role of Ardeth, actors like Oscar Isaac, Pedro Pascal, or Mahershala Ali could be considered. All three have the acting abilities to bring depth to the character of Ardeth, who is both a friend and foe to the protagonists.
The options ChatGPT presented are definitely the Hollywood favorites (I would love to see Pedro Pascal in “The Mummy”), but at the beginning of our conversation ChatGPT acknowledged that the film has been criticized for its portrayal of Egyptian culture.
Egyptian Representation
With that in mind I asked, “How could The Mummy be recast with Egyptian actors? Why does representation matter?”
Ahmed Malek as Rick O’Connell: Malek is an Egyptian actor who has gained international recognition for his work in films like “The Furnace” and “Clash”. He has the rugged charm and action-hero chops needed to play Rick.
Yasmin Raeis as Evelyn Carnahan: Raeis is a versatile actress who has appeared in a wide range of films and TV shows in Egypt. She has the intelligence and wit needed to bring Evelyn to life.
Amr Waked as Imhotep: Waked is a veteran Egyptian actor who has appeared in numerous international films, including “Lucy” and “Salmon Fishing in the Yemen”. He has the gravitas and presence to make a convincing Imhotep.
Hend Sabry as Anck-su-Namun: Sabry is a highly regarded actress in Egypt who has won numerous awards for her work. She has the beauty and charisma needed to play the role of Anck-su-Namun.
Representation matters because it allows for more diverse and authentic portrayals of cultures and identities. When films like “The Mummy” are made with a predominantly white cast, it perpetuates the notion that only white actors can play leading roles in Hollywood films, while people of color are relegated to supporting or background roles. By recasting “The Mummy” with Egyptian actors, it would give Egyptian actors the opportunity to showcase their talents on a global stage, and provide audiences with a more accurate and nuanced portrayal of Egyptian culture and history. It is important to ensure that all communities are fairly represented in media and entertainment, as it helps to promote inclusivity and social justice.
Then, I asked ChatGPT to write a new “Mummy” sequel starring the original cast. I think Hollywood’s got a winner with this concept.
“The Mummy: Curse of the Scarab Queen”
In the fourth installment of the “Mummy” franchise, we catch up with Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser), Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz), and their now-adult son Alex (Freddie Boath), who have settled into a quieter life in London. However, when a mysterious woman named Queen Tera (Michelle Yeoh) arrives on their doorstep, claiming to be a descendant of Imhotep and seeking their help to break a curse that has plagued her family for centuries, they find themselves pulled back into the world of ancient curses and supernatural danger.
As they journey to Egypt, they discover that the curse is linked to a powerful artifact known as the Scarab Queen, which was lost in the sands of time. The artifact is said to grant immense power to whoever possesses it, but it is also cursed to bring destruction and chaos to the world.
The team soon finds themselves in a race against a new villain, a wealthy collector named Edwin Blackwood (Mark Strong), who will stop at nothing to acquire the Scarab Queen and use its power for his own selfish desires. Along the way, they are aided by their old friend Ardeth Bay (Oded Fehr), who has become the leader of the Medjai, and a few new allies.
As they journey deeper into the Egyptian desert, they must face mummies, cursed sandstorms, and other supernatural threats to reach the Scarab Queen before it falls into the wrong hands. But as the stakes grow higher and the dangers more intense, they realize that they may be facing their greatest challenge yet.
“The Mummy: Curse of the Scarab Queen” brings back the beloved characters that fans know and love, while introducing new dangers and adventures to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. With thrilling action sequences, supernatural mysteries, and a healthy dose of humor and heart, this fourth installment is a must-see for fans of the franchise.
Michelle Yeoh?? Sign me up!!
Merchandising
We ended our conversation brainstorming some merchandising for the series, and ChatGPT’s answers were expected and full of ideas that I’ve already seen executed, like t-shirts, replica jewelry and even Funko Pop! figures.
It did suggest a board game that “allows players to relive the adventures of Rick and Evelyn as they explore ancient tombs and battle supernatural threats.”
I wouldn’t be mad at that.
Letterboxd Humor
This next part is my favorite. I asked it to search Letterboxd for the funniest reviews about the movie.
I was particularly wary with this question because Letterboxd humor is…unique… to say the least.
ChatGPT can’t searched Letterboxd so it came up with some of its own.
“The Mummy: the only movie where the villain gets to smooch the hero, and the hero’s wife is okay with it.”
“Why go to the gym when you can just watch Brendan Fraser run away from CGI beetles for two hours?”
“I’m convinced the only reason Imhotep came back to life was to finally get a chance to use all those cheesy one-liners he’s been working on for 3,000 years.”
“If you don’t fall in love with Evelyn by the time she puts on that gold dress, are you even human?”
“Watching ‘The Mummy’ is like taking a time machine back to a simpler era, when all you needed for a great action movie was a charming hero, a plucky heroine, and some undead bad guys. Ah, the 90s!”
These were… interesting. I think it had the Letterboxd-type humor down, but not the movie itself.
Because I’m pretty sure I don’t remember Imhotep and Rick kissing, Imhotep’s hilarious one-liners, Evelyn in a gold dress or Evelyn being “plucky.”
Lastly, I asked it to create a Twitter thread about our chat from my point of view, which you can check out below!
The Lesson (?)
So what did I learn from all of this?
I learned that I have someone (er, something) new to talk to one of my favorite movies about.
More importantly, I learned that ChatGPT is really well informed, but when it comes to those nitty gritty details it has a lot more to learn.
Should I ask ChatGPT about another film or franchise? Let me know!
