Malta to feature as Iraq in The Mummy remake

Malta's cash rebate and varied locations seem to have been able to attract the producers behind Universal's The Mummy. 

By Alexandra Zeevalkink 25 Jan 2016

Malta to feature as Iraq in The Mummy remake
The Mummy remake to film in Malta

The remake of classic horror film The Mummy will be shooting in Malta, according to daily local newspaper the Times of Malta.

The new version is set for release in 2017 after being pushed back by the studio, allegedly to allow for actor Tom Cruise to join the cast – alongside Sofia Boutella – though this has not been confirmed by Universal.

What has been confirmed is that Alex Kurtzman will be directing the film – which in fact is a remake of a remake.

The Maltese newspaper reports that a production team has already scouted various locations on the island and has so far opted for a fort in the small village of Kalkara.

Though Malta is often used for underwater filming, as the country offers a huge water tank suitable for bigger scale productions, the island group also offers a cash rebate of no less than 27% and the landscape (as seen previously in Troy and Gladiator) lends itself very well to doubling for Iraq (where the story is set).

The Mummy forms part of Universal’s resurgence of horror films based on classic monster characters.

The well-known adventure horror feature was released in 1999, though this was in fact a remake of the 1932 film by director Karl Freund.

The story follows a Navy SEAL on his mission in the Iraqi desert to find a group of terrorists who are hiding in a bunker. But once he and his team members have tracked down the terrorists turn out to be? ‘mere’ grave robbers who have all magically died. It isn’t until then that the team realises they are not actually in a bunker, but instead have entered an ancient grave.

The Mummy is the first film in the series of remakes that the mammoth studio is planning.

What has been confirmed is that Alex Kurtzman will be directing the film – which in fact is a remake of a remake.

The Maltese newspaper reports that a production team has already scouted various locations on the island and has so far opted for a fort in the small village of Kalkara.

Though Malta is often used for underwater filming, as the country offers a huge water tank suitable for bigger scale productions, the island group also offers a cash rebate of no less than 27% and the landscape (as seen previously in Troy and Gladiator) lends itself very well to doubling for Iraq (where the story is set).

The Mummy forms part of Universal’s resurgence of horror films based on classic monster characters.

The well-known adventure horror feature was released in 1999, though this was in fact a remake of the 1932 film by director Karl Freund.

The story follows a Navy SEAL on his mission in the Iraqi desert to find a group of terrorists who are hiding in a bunker. But once he and his team members have tracked down the terrorists turn out to be? ‘mere’ grave robbers who have all magically died. It isn’t until then that the team realises they are not actually in a bunker, but instead have entered an ancient grave.

The Mummy is the first film in the series of remakes that the mammoth studio is planning.

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