News: Universal Sudios Talks Sequels

From the director of XXX and Stealth comes The Mummy 3. No joke. That's the tagline you'll be seeing come 2009 when Universal Studios rolls out its latest dopey sequel idea. Not only is shlockmaster Rob Cohen at the helm, but it's not even clear whether franchise stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz will return. Fraser's at somewhat of a dead spot in his career and is a probable hire for a sequel, but as much as Weisz might want to reprise her fun, booksmart Evelyn character, she should cling tightly to her Oscar and stay far away from this project. The original Mummy movie is actually one of my favorite guilty pleasure adventure flicks. It's a fun, tongue-in-cheek action comedy a la Indiana Jones. Unfortunately, there was no life or charm at all to the sequel and eventual spin-off vehicle for The Rock. Now, with original director, Stephen Sommers, reduced to a producer credit, it's doubtful that this new movie will have any of the playful, light-hearted, popcorn popping fun of the original. It's bound to be yet another dud sequel in a long line of neverending franchises. The real sign of danger? No one even seems to know what it's going to be about. Once the money's in line, they'll worry about little things like plot and character.

Universal also revealed that they hope to make yet another sequel to the smash hit Meet the Parents. The latest in the comedy series, which also includes Meet the Fockers, would reportedly be called Meet the Little Focker and would focus on the child of Greg and Pam (Ben Stiller and Teri Polo respectively). However, the project is still in its infancy and no commitments have been made by any of the cast members. The film would presumably also include the return of Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner as Pam's parents and Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand as Greg's parents, the Fockers. I must say that I did very much enjoy the original Parents comedy, but found the sequel to be the most disappointing sequel in some time. Needless to say, I'm hesitant to embrace the idea of a third film, which will probably be even less coherent and more unbearably stupid than the Fockers debacle. My only real request for the the next movie is that director Jay Roach finds a way to work in the delightful Kali Rocha as the feisty airline stewardess for a third time.

I'm very sad to report that pretty much the only sequel Universal Studios does not seem interested in developing is the much deserved sequel to Joss Whedon's sci-fi epic Serenity. It's really an inexplicable shame given the surplus of bad material on their shedule.