Brendan Fraser reveals why Tom Cruise's 'The Mummy' flopped; says he's 'open' to revisiting the role
Brendan Fraser has returned to acting in 'The Whale'
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brendan Fraser revealed he'd consider returning to the "Mummy" film franchise on one condition.
Fraser opened up about his return to acting in a new interview. He recently starred in "The Whale" and has a role in the upcoming Martin Scorsese film "Killers of the Flower Moon."
Despite the new roles, the actor said he'd consider revisiting the character of Rick O'Connell in the "Mummy" franchise.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I don’t know how it would work," Fraser told Variety. "But I’d be open to it, if someone came up with the right concept."
Fraser appeared in "The Mummy" in 1999. He reprised his role with "The Mummy Returns" in 2001 and "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" in 2008.
Brendan Fraser said he'd consider returning to his role in the "Mummy" franchise. (Miikka Skaffari/Getty Images)
BRENDAN FRASER'S PERFORMANCE IN ‘THE WHALE’ RECEIVES ANOTHER STANDING OVATION, ACTOR MOVED TO TEARS
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Tom Cruise attempted his own version of "The Mummy" in 2017. (Ricky Vigil M/GC Images via Getty Images)
In 2017, Tom Cruise attempted his own version of "The Mummy," which ended up being a box-office flop.
"It is hard to make that movie," Fraser noted. "The ingredient that we had going for our ‘Mummy,’ which I didn’t see in the new one, was fun. That was what was lacking in that incarnation. It was too much of a straight-ahead horror movie. ‘The Mummy’ should be a thrill ride, but not terrifying and scary."
Fraser has largely stayed out of the spotlight after addressing physical ailments due to performing many of his own stunts on screen. The actor has also been outspoken about his struggle with depression after an alleged sexual assault incident in 2003.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}BRENDAN FRASER TALKS 600-POUND TRANSFORMATION IN ‘THE WHALE': ‘I WANTED TO DISAPPEAR’
In 2018, Fraser claimed that he was sexually assaulted by former Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Philip Berk in 2003. The actor also alleged that the incident contributed to the downfall of his career.
"[I] became depressed," Fraser told GQ at the time. "I was blaming myself and I was miserable — because I was saying, ‘This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel.' [Work] withered on the vine for me. In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me."
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Berk denied the allegations, although he wrote about the incident in his 2014 memoir, claiming he pinched Fraser's backside "in jest."
Fraser is returning to the silver screen for what many believe could be an Oscar-contending role as Charlie, a 600-pound gay man who feels as though his life is coming to an end, in "The Whale."
Brendan Fraser took a step back from acting to deal with health issues and depression. (John Phillips/Getty Images for BFI)
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{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The role represents a major comeback for Fraser's career as it is his first leading role in almost a decade.
The "Crash" star said he enjoys being back in demand.
"I was never that far away," Fraser told Variety. "You can’t get rid of me that easy. But I’m glad to have a job. I’m still expecting somebody to walk over to me, hand me a dish towel and say, ‘Fraser, get back in the kitchen.’"
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Brendan Fraser has returned to acting with his role in "The Whale." (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images for BFI)
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Fox News Digital's Tracy Wright contributed to this report.