Summary
ActorFreddie Boathcould have been a part of theHarry Potterfranchise but elected to bet on a different 2000s fantasy series when he instead appeared inThe Mummy Returns.The Mummymovie franchisewith Brendan Fraser began in 1999, withThe Mummy, a remake of the Universal Classic Monsters film from 1932. That 1999 film spawned an action-fantasy franchise and has been held up as one of the quintessential ’90s adventure movies.Brendan Fraser’s recent comebackhas also breathed new life into these movies.
The Mummy Returnspremiered two years later, in 2001. Like the original film,The Mummy Returnsreceived mixed critical reviews, with a 46% onRotten Tomatoes, but was a huge success at the box office, earning over $443 million (viaBox Office Mojo). The sequel came out the same year asHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. WhileThe Mummy Returnswas arguably the end of interestin the franchise,Harry Potteronly increased in popularity. It wasn’t for lack of trying though, asThe Mummy Returnsbrought back the beloved old characters and introduced some new ones.
The Mummy Movies Ranked, Worst To Best
The Mummy movies have a long-standing history in cinematic culture, success ranging from major hits to total duds throughout the years.
Freddie Boath Chose The Mummy Returns Over Harry Potter Because He Was A Fan Of The 1999 Film
It’s Not Clear Which Harry Potter Role Boath Was Up For
One of the new characters to appear inThe Mummy Returnsis Alex O’Connell, played by Freddie Boath.Alex is Rick (Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn’s (Rachel Weisz) son, who has already gotten into the archaeology/grave-robbing game. Alex inadvertently puts on the Bracelet of Anubis, which gives him visions of Ahm Shere, a magical oasis. An evil cult kidnaps Alex and forces him to lead the way to Ahm Shere, where the Scorpion King resides. It’s a critical role in the film, and Alex has a lot of screen time in key set pieces.
Boath was offered a role in another major franchise the same year asThe Mummy Returns—Harry Potter— though it’s not known which part the young actor would have played inThe Sorcerer’s Stone(viaFandomWire). Apparently,Boath was a huge fan of the 1999The Mummyand couldn’t pass up the chance to participate. Without knowing what role he was up for inHarry Potter, it’s difficult to tell how good or bad his decision was. But unless he was going to play Ron Weasley or even Harry Potter himself, Boath likely made the right decision.
There is also a chance he could have played Neville Longbottom as well, but even then, Boath would have no way of knowing how important that character would end up being to the franchise.
Seamus Finnigan could have been the part Boath was up for, considering Boath and Seamus' actor, Devon Murray, look similar. There is also a chance he could have played Neville Longbottom as well, but even then, Boath would have no way of knowing how important that character would end up being to the series. All things considered, Boath made the choice that was right for him, and evenearned a Saturn Award nomination and a Young Artist Award nomination for his performance as Alex O’Connell.
The character Alex O’Connell appears in successiveThe Mummyproductions. InThe Mummy: The Animated Series, he’s voiced by Chris Marquette and inThe Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, he’s played by Luke Ford.
Boath Has Quit Acting And Now Works In Advertising
Freddie Boath Graduated From College In 2013
Boath stopped acting in 2013after a four-episode stint in another Egyptian-themed production,House of Anubis, as Benji Reed. Since then, Boath has left the industry and currently works at the London-based PageGroup as an advertising manager (viaThe Sun). He graduated from Oxford Brookes University in 2013 with a B.A. in Drama but then pivoted to sales, working as a sales negotiator at Dexter Estates Agents and Hamptons International (viaLinkedIn). Boath then became a consultant at PageGroup, working his way steadily up the corporate ladder.
Freddie Boathhas never publicly commented on his performance inThe Mummy Returns, and it seems like he’s content to be out of the film and TV industry. For some child actors, acting becomes a calling. For others, it’s just a memorable and fun way they spend their early years.
The Mummy Returns
Cast
A sequel to The Mummy, The Mummy Returns stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz as Rick and Evelyn O’Connell. Now married, the O’Connells are once again drawn into a sinister plot surrounding the evil mummy Imhotep, now attempting to gain power over the army of Anubis by killing the legendary Scorpion King. John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, and Oded Fehr also star, and the film marks Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s feature film debut as The Scorpion King.
