Algerian-born Sofia Boutella ‘terrified’ by ‘The Mummy’

Sofia Boutella

DAMMAM: Sofia Boutella was scared of “The Mummy” — until she got to know the ancient Egyptian princess intimately.
“I think I was terrified to play a monster,” said the former dancer, who has worked with the likes of Rihanna and Madonna.
The Algerian-born actress’ main concern was being typecast in the role.
“I felt like every time I saw an actor play a monster in a movie, with the exception of Boris Karloff, they hadn’t done much afterwards in terms of their career,” she said.
That is why Boutella said “no” to director Alex Kurtzman the first time he offered her the part.
The actress breaks tradition in the new film as Universal Pictures’ first female Mummy.
Her co-star Tom Cruise said the move to make the antagonist a woman gives the story a “fresh and modern take.” “I thought it really made for a fresh and modern take on it that really leads us in to this new universe. Sofia is beautiful, powerful, terrifying, but very alluring; you want to be with her but then you’re scared of her,” he said.
The Mummy reboot stars Cruise as Nick Morton, a soldier of fortune who awakens vengeful Egyptian aristocrat Ahmanet (Boutella) from a slumber that has lasted thousands of years.