Lee Cronin, the Irish filmmaker behind the critically acclaimed horror films "The Hole in the Ground" and "Evil Dead Rise," has now ventured into the realm of one of cinema's classic scare stories: The Mummy. In an exclusive interview, Cronin discusses the journey of bringing his unique vision to life, the collaboration with industry giants like Jason Blum and James Wan, and the creative decisions behind the title "Lee Cronin's The Mummy."
A Wild Moment on the WB Lot
Cronin's latest endeavor, "Lee Cronin's The Mummy," was completed at around 7:30 a.m. on a Monday, likely just as the last stragglers were leaving post-ceremony parties. Reflecting on this moment, Cronin describes it as "a wild, wild moment." He recalls standing on the water tower, exhausted but proud, as a "Congratulations" sign was already in place. This moment marked the culmination of a 24-hour shift, bringing his latest horror feature to life.
A Balls-to-the-Wall, Excessively Gory Take
"Lee Cronin's The Mummy" is a bold and unapologetically R-rated take on the classic scare story. With a budget in the mid-$20 million range, the film stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, and May Calamawy. Set in Egypt, the story follows an expat American family devastated by the abduction of their young daughter, Katie. Eight years later, Katie is found alive but severely deformed inside a mysterious tomb. The film takes a dark turn as the family grapples with the aftermath, leading to a crescendo of bloody madness and over-the-top, deliberately shocking scenes.
Influences and Inspiration
When asked about his influences, Cronin cites a mix of classic horror films, including "The Exorcist," "Annabelle," "Hereditary," and his own "Evil Dead." He emphasizes the importance of patience in "The Exorcist" and the exploration of missing children in "Poltergeist" and "Seven." Cronin also acknowledges the reverence for classic horror, particularly Boris Karloff's "The Mummy." However, he clarifies that his script was written without direct influence from previous "Mummy" films, except for the great respect and reverence he holds for the genre.
The Title: A Creative Decision
The title "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" was a creative decision, not a legal one. Jason Blum, who pitched the idea, suggested it to emphasize Cronin's unique voice and involvement in the film. Cronin was initially unsure but eventually embraced the idea, seeing it as a way to separate the film from previous "Mummy" entries. He views it as a flattering recognition of his fingerprints on the project.
A Small Group of Directors
With his name in the title, Cronin joins a small group of directors who have had their names credited in the title of their films. He acknowledges that this is unlikely to happen again, but he sees it as a fitting tribute to his work on "Lee Cronin's The Mummy." He also discusses the fourth "Mummy" film at Universal, directed by Brendan Fraser, and the potential for sequels to his own film, emphasizing the importance of audience engagement.
Wicked/Good Production Company
Cronin's production company, initially called Doppelgangers, has been renamed Wicked/Good. This name reflects his interest in a wide range of genres, from horror to science fiction, comedy, and thrillers. He emphasizes the company's focus on international talent and stories with event-like qualities. Currently, they are working on a television show called "Spiral" and a found-footage movie, as well as a slasher film with a unique approach.
Future Projects
Cronin has several projects in the pipeline, including a film called "Box of Bones" and a potential franchise adjacent project. He expresses his love for cinematic worlds like "Lord of the Rings" and his interest in exploring the Freddy Krueger franchise. However, he emphasizes the importance of staying true to his voice and not getting too caught up in franchise adjacency.
A Thoughtful Takeaway
In conclusion, Lee Cronin's "Lee Cronin's The Mummy" is a bold and personal take on a classic horror franchise. Through his unique vision and collaboration with industry giants, Cronin has created a film that is both terrifying and thought-provoking. As he continues to push the boundaries of horror, his future projects promise to be just as exciting and innovative.
