MovieChat Forums > The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) Discussion > Maria Bello is no Rachel!

Maria Bello is no Rachel!

posted 15 years ago by digitalboy72
34 replies | jump to latest

I usually object to replacing actors in films with someone else to play the same character but I can get past it, i've done it in the past.

Not this time.

Rachel was so hypnotically gorgeous in the first two films that her absence was impossible to ignore here, and to replace her with an actress that was completely wrong for the role only compounded the problem further. She had neither the right look or the charming spunk that Rachel had.

If you expect the unexpected doesn't the unexpected then become the expected?

[–] Ricochet84 15 years ago

Replacing Rachel would be impossible.

Death will come on swift wings...to whomsoever opens this chest!
-Dr. Allen Chamberlain

[–] dj_mrt_2000 15 years ago

Actually, I feel they could have go with another British actress, someone softer, more feminine than Maria Bello, someone who did not look like Brendan's mother. That's why Rachel was so good - she was gorgeous and very feminine but could also kick asx when needed. Her Evie always looked very soft and womanly next to Brendan's big and tough Rick O'Connell. Someone like that could have replaced Rachel and not stand out so much.

[–] addison 15 years ago

That fact they replace (or tried to...) Rachel was enough for me to ignore this pic.
Rachel is unique.

[–] puirt-a-beul 15 years ago

Well said, dj_mrt. And that sums up my feelings too.

Edited to add:
One thing more, though: why did they cast an American actress? Her speech gave her away. Her vowels were OK, for the most part, but her cadence was clearly American often enough for it to be distracting.

So often she didn't sound like Evie; she sounded like someone putting on an accent.

You might very well think that. I couldn't possibly comment.

[–] So-Wisdom 15 years ago

If I was an actress I would hate to have to replace another person and take on the role of a character that had already been developed! If Maria Bello had played Evie from the beginning and then Rachel Weiss had stepped in to the role we'd probably say the same of her. Because then everyone would be attached to Maria's version of the character. I feel a bit sorry for her because everyone is just comparing her to Rachel, but I think if you try to forget the previous Evie and pretend the third film is the first time we saw her, Maria did an ok job

I'm speaking without regard to the accent however, which was pretty bad

Locke: A compass? What does it do?
Richard: It...points north John..

[–] Ricochet84 15 years ago

Maria Bello is no Rachel!

Then quit comparing the two.

The weed of crime bears bitter fruit.
-The Shadow

[–] do-bye 15 years ago

I did miss her not returning.This one did not have the same draw.

"Peace and love"

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[–] WhoopsieThree-D 15 years ago

Rachel and Brendan played so well off each other in the previous films. It was one of the high points of the franchise. They felt naturalistic. I could believe that these two had spent their lives together and were in love. Replacing Rachel was a risky move any way you look at it. Maria Bello is a good and proven actress, but it was still a dangerous move. And even though she's a good actress, recasting the role hurt the movie. The're chemestry was weak. I had trouble believing these two tolerated each other for years, let alone were in love with each other. They just seemed like they were putting up with each other. Plus her accent was way too forced.

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[–] JupiterStorm 15 years ago

Rachel and Brendan played so well off each other in the previous films. It was one of the high points of the franchise. They felt naturalistic. I could believe that these two had spent their lives together and were in love.

Exactly. Their chemistry was so undeniable and strong. As if they could've actually had a relationship on set (though I know they didn't) The greatest thing a movie can have is the chemistry between actors.

Rachel's absence in this film was just a huge gaping hole that was too big to be filed with Maria Bello. But props to her for trying, it was a hard role to fill and she had the guts to try.

"If a Soldier's pride means hurting one another, I don't want it..."

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[–] charmed-palace 15 years ago

I totally agree. Rachel was such a charming, classic Evie with enough spunk to stand her ground, and she had some amazing chemistry going on with Brendan.
Maria was completely wrong for the role, she isn't classy nor charming and Evie's entire personality went out of the window the moment she took over. No offends against the actress, but Maria isn't cut out to portray a character like Evie.

"This isn't funny Dean, the voice says I'm almost out of minutes." - Castiel, Supernatural.

[–] victorsuk 15 years ago

Right fromt the outset Mario bello seemed so wrong. Rachel Weiz is supposed to be an innocent librarian and sweet and somewhat naive.
This was a totally different character. And her accent was is she was trying to sound like the queen.

Quote
"To tell the truth, i could beat anybody in the world"

-Bruce Lee

[–] SanForZeke 15 years ago

I'm sure she did her best, but..

This was a totally different character.

^This was my impression as well. It was like they've gotten rid of Evie and swapped her with someone from an entirely different movie who happens to have the same name.

Can't blame her too much, I guess. She just wasn't "Evie" as we're used to see her.
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