<P> In March 2006, actor Oded Fehr, who played Ardeth Bay in the first two films said Sommers had told him a third film was in development and being written, with only Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz's characters returning . The following September, Universal Pictures offered director Joe Johnston the helm, instead of Jurassic World but Johnston declined . Later in the month, Weisz expressed interest in reprising her role . </P> <P> In January 2007, Universal announced Sommers would not be attached to direct the third film . It was then announced that Universal entered talks with director Rob Cohen to take over directing duties . Later in the month, the story was revealed to center around Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz's characters, as well as their adult son . Negotiations with the actors were in progress at that time . In February, casting began for the role of Alex O'Connell . Additionally, John Hannah reprised his role as Jonathan . Also in that month, Cohen mentioned that Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh would star in the film although the official confirmation wasn't published until May . </P> <P> In April, Brendan Fraser re-joined the cast for the film . Weisz did not, citing "problems with the script" in addition to having just given birth to her son . The film was shot in Montreal and China . The film was reported to be titled The Mummy 3: Curse Of The Dragon . In April, Luke Ford was cast as Alex O'Connell, replacing Freddie Boath in the role and in May, Maria Bello was cast to replace Weisz in the role of Evelyn . Bello commented during an interview that the new "Evy" is different from the original "Evy". "She has the same name, but she is quite a different character," said Bello . At a news conference in Shanghai, Bello told the audience that Rob Cohen has "created a new Evelyn . In the first two Mummy movies she was all actiony and lovely, but this Evelyn might be a little more...forceful in terms of her martial art skills and shooting skills". </P> <P> Principal photography started at Montreal's Mel's Cite du Cinema . There, the Eye of Shangri - la scenes were shot by production designer Nigel Phelps . The team then shot on the courtyard set of gateway to Shangri - la . The courtyard was dressed with fake snow, created by effects supervisor Bruce Steinheimer's team . </P>

Why did they change the actress in the mummy 3
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