How I Would've Done It

The Mummy (2017)

If I had the opportunity to reshape 2017's The Mummy, there are a few core changes I'd make, starting with the casting. While Tom Cruise is undeniably a superstar, the film's focus would shift away from the usual action-hero narrative and toward something far darker and more nuanced, with Sofia Boutella's Ahmanet at the heart of the story. She wouldn't just be a villain—the film would explore her rise to power, her tragic fall, and her desperate attempt to reclaim her place in the world.

The tone would be more akin to the classic Universal monster films: eerie, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling. Instead of the typical action-packed blockbuster, I'd steer the film towards being more of a horror-adventure, blending mythology with real-world fears.

The protagonist, rather than Cruise's Nick Morton, would be a former military man turned investigator, someone with a past rooted in trauma from previous conflicts. His experience in battle would ground him in reality, but he's not a superhero—he's haunted and vulnerable. Paired with him would be a tenacious female journalist who is after a story about the recent uncovering of an ancient tomb in Egypt. Their dynamic would be less about romance and more about trust—two people with different objectives forced to work together as they uncover a plot far darker than they expected. 

Sofia Boutella's Ahmanet would take center stage. The film would dig deeper into her backstory, portraying her not just as a monster but as a tragic figure—someone who had once been a powerful princess, promised the world but betrayed by her own family. Her attempt to take over the world would be driven by centuries of anger, injustice, and a twisted sense of destiny. Her motivation wouldn't be as simple as revenge; it would be about reclaiming what she believes was stolen from her—her kingdom, her power, and her soul.

The scenes would portray her rise from the dead as an awe-inspiring yet horrifying event. Her resurrection would bring plagues, natural disasters, and a sense of dread, with Egypt's history coming back to haunt the modern world.

One of the more underused aspects of the original film was the introduction of Dr. Jekyll. I would still include him, but with some key changes. Rather than turning into Mr. Hyde right away, Dr. Jekyll would remain a professor with extensive knowledge of monsters and the occult. His "sickness" would be hinted at, showing the internal struggle of a man aware of his dark side but trying desperately to contain it. He would be more of an intellectual ally to our protagonists, giving them insight into Ahmanet's powers and the wider world of monsters.

Jekyll would have a role similar to Van Helsing—a guide into the world of supernatural threats, but with secrets of his own. We would only get glimpses of the Mr. Hyde persona, saving that transformation for a future film, which would add tension and mystery to his character.

The film would kick off with the uncovering of Ahmanet's tomb, a major archaeological event that draws the attention of the journalist and the investigator. From the beginning, there would be signs of something wrong—strange markings, mysterious deaths, and ancient texts warning of a curse. As the characters delve deeper, they begin to unravel the tragic and terrifying story of Ahmanet, who had been betrayed by her family and cursed to eternal imprisonment.

Ahmanet's powers grow stronger as she reawakens, causing chaos in Egypt and beyond. Plagues, sandstorms, and hordes of the undead would rise, with Ahmanet's ultimate goal being to reclaim her kingdom by turning the modern world into her empire of the dead. The investigator and journalist, alongside Dr. Jekyll, would have to race against time to stop her, unraveling ancient secrets and engaging in a battle that is as much psychological as it is physical.

The film's climax would be set against the backdrop of a crumbling ancient city, with Ahmanet at her most powerful, resurrecting an army of mummified warriors. The protagonist and his team would have to make a choice: defeat her by destroying her soul—or trap her once again, knowing the curse would never fully be broken.

Instead of the neat, wrapped-up conclusion of the original film, I would end with ambiguity. Ahmanet would be defeated but not destroyed, leaving open the possibility of her return. The investigator and the journalist would emerge scarred—both mentally and physically—realizing that the world they once knew is far more dangerous than they could have imagined. Dr. Jekyll, too, would remain a mysterious figure, with the dark hints of his transformation still looming over him.

The goal wouldn't be to set up a giant universe immediately, but to leave audiences with the chilling understanding that the world of monsters, gods, and ancient curses has only just been revealed.

This reimagined version of The Mummy would not just be a standalone film but the first step in a darker, more intricate world of monsters, one where each film explores the terrifying consequences of myth, legend, and the unknown crossing into our reality. By focusing on atmosphere, character development, and the deep mythology behind the monsters, this version of The Mummy would set the stage for a truly terrifying and complex cinematic universe.