ALEX LAURANT

As the VFX Art Director on Universal and Stephen Sommers' 1999 reboot, I was responsible for designing nearly all of the film's many simulated or augmented locations, environmental and supernatural effects, and of course the film's namesake, the long-dormant desiccating dude himself, Imhotep, through his many stages of mummification and rejuvenation.

 

Working closely with Director Sommers and ILM VFX Supervisor Jon Berton, the ILM team went about pushing the boundaries of that period's CG and VFX capabilities, incorporating then-bleeding-edge particle and cloth/skin simulation, character-rigs, digital matte paintings and traditional physical miniature sets. Below are highlights of that work, from both The Mummy and its sequel The Mummy Returns, which brought back the original cast, crew and ILM team, and featured many new creatures and set-peices.