A new site – Rob CohenTheMummy.com – lists the developments and details to the third Mummy film.

The film will switch gears from the Middle East to the Far East. Jet Li will play an Emperor cursed much of the same way of Imhotep and due to be awakened by a militant with plans to take over China. Oh yeah, and I those terra cotta soldiers might be doing the same if the villain has his way . . .

I’m really glad they recast Rachel Weisz’s Evelyn instead of just killing her off in-between flicks. Many times franchises . . . especially horror franchises . . . underestimate the value of their lead characters and proceed to kill em off . . . especially female ones. Weisz has been replaced by Maria Bello of History of Violence fame – I’m not sure how I feel about Bello filling Weisz’s shoes, but I’ll certainly give her a chance.

With a new director – Rob Cohen, a new setting – China, and even a new O’Connell – Luke Ford playing a full-grown Alex, there’s a lot of elements which are going to have to work in concert for this film to lift off. People are going to be comparing Jet Li to Arnold Vosloo, Brenden Fraser to Luke Ford – and so on an so on.

This film has a lot riding on its shoulder in the way of a franchise’s future, but the mention of a “pile of skulls and mummified concubines” in the blog begs me to read on and watch on – whatever the results.