The producers of "The Mummy 3" have confirmed that "A History of Violence" and "Flicka" star Maria Bello will be taking on the central role of Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell, following original star Rachel Weisz's decision not to return.
In the upcoming sequel leading man Brendan Fraser will be joined on-screen by Aussie actor Luke Ford, and the two will portray father & son as they journey from the forbidden tombs of China to the Himalayas, where they run into a new shape-shifting mummy, a former Chinese emperor who was cursed by a female wizard. Action legend Jet Li is to play the new mummy while "Sunshine" star Michelle Yeoh has been cast as the wizard.
The latest instalment in the blockbusting franchise boasts a script by Miles Millar and Alfred Gough (creators of TV's "Smallville"), and will see "XXX" director Rob Cohen calling the shots when the movie goes into production shortly. Producers Universal currently plan to release the film worldwide next summer.