The Mummy: Throne of the Dragon Emperor

Scheduled for release in August, 2008, The Mummy: Throne of the Dragon Emperor promises to be something of a departure from the first two films involving archeology and mayhem. For one thing, the film is set in post World War II China, not pre war Egypt. For another thing, Rachel Weisz will not be returning in the role of the beauteous and adventurous Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell. That role will be filled, hopefully well, by Maria Bello, who most recently appeared in Oliver Stone's World Trade Center.

Brendon Fraser will be returning as Rick O'Connell and John Hannah will be back as Evelyn's comedy relief brother, Jonathon. Michelle Yeoh will play a dangerous wizard named Zijuan and Jet Li will be the Mummy, in this case of the first Emperor of Qin, one of the warring states that used to make up China.

Li's character is apparently based on Qin Shi Huangdi, who unified China in the third century BC. Qin Shi also built the Great Wall of China and ruled with ruthlessness worthy of a modern day dictator. Despite looking for the elixir of life, Qin Shi eventually died and was buried in a lavish tomb with a terracotta army. The elixir, ironically, may well have killed him, since it seems to have consisted of mercury and other dangerous compounds. Qin Shi was also said to have gone quite mad in his later years, also likely as a result of his elixirs.

Qin Shi engaged in excessively high taxation, massive public works projects (like the Great Wall) through forced labor, torture, punishing even family members of enemies, and thought control, including the burning of books, worthy of a Nazi or Communist tyrant. Quite a worthy villain to bring back in the 20^th Century to face the intrepid O'Connell family,

Stephen Sommers, who directed the first two Mummy movies, will produce this film. Directing duties will be taken up by Rob Cohen. Cohen has previously directed Stealth, The Fast and the Furious, and Dragonheart.