Mummy: Curse of the Dragon..

" Tomorrow's Entertainment " has learned that the character of Alex O'Connell, the son of protagonists Rick and Evelyn O'Connell, will return in The Mummy 3 ( a.k.a. Mummy: Curse of the Dragon ).. The role of Alex will be played by Australia's own, Luke Ford..

Alex was introduced as a precocious 10 year - old wisecracker in 2001's The Mummy Returns, where he was played by English child actor Freddie Boath..

The script pages that were used to audition actors for the role, pages penned by Alfred Gough ( Smallville writer ) and Miles Millar, depict Alex as being in his late teens to early 20's.. He is every bit the smart ass adventurer his dad is, right down to his penchant for firearms and glib remarks..

The three - page scene that was used to audition actors was set in a snowy wilderness and has Rick and Alex comparing their preferred weaponry.. The scene's humor relies on the phallic overtones of their exchange..

Rick brought along his collection of vintage weaponry, including a Tommy gun and long - barreled .45 caliber revolver.. Alex prefers the state - of - the art, namely the Walther P - 38 and the AK-47, a weapon that he tells his dad has not even come out yet.. This would set the story prior to 1947, and after 1938 since it includes the Walther P - 38.. ( The Mummy Returns was set in 1933 )

The roguish Alex has been through nine schools in three years, plays poker and has gotten into trouble before with a headmaster's daughter.. He is resourceful and wily, and is essentially Rick 2.0.. Alex also mentions at one point that he digs up relics, so it can be assumed he is an archaeologist or treasure hunter of some sort..

Brendan Fraser is returning for the role of Rick O'Connell.. The biggest surprise is that Rachel Weisz ( Evelyn O'Connell ) has pulled out of the role.. Maria Bello has now stepped in to play the character Evelyn O'Connell.. One of the biggest revelations was that the O'Connells are out to fight " the Emperor.." And who is the Emperor I hear you ask.. None other than Jet Li..

The Mummy 3 will initially take place in ancient times in China and follow the background of the film's villain, China's first emperor Qin Shi Huang ( Jet Li ).. The film will move forward to a post - World War II setting where Rick and Alex head to the forbidden tombs of China.. In the Himalayas they discover a mummy that can change forms due to a female wizard's ( Michelle Yeoh ) curse.. Of course this means a new mummy character..

Shooting is expected to begin in late July and it appears they are far from a final shooting script.. That can’t be a good sign..