It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone that 20th Century Fox is eager to continue their Ben Stiller-starring Night at the Museum franchise; after all, the first two films in the series both earned critical praise as well as tremendous box-office numbers.
It was previously announced that the studio was moving ahead with Night at the Museum 3 after confirming Stiller to return and bringing back series’ director Shawn Levy. Now, we have confirmation that Robin Williams is in talks to reprise his role as Teddy, the kindly wax dummy of former President Theodore Roosevelt.
In case the series’ plot has faded in your mind since 2009’s Night at the Museum: Battle for the Smithsonian, the films revolve around night security guard Larry Daley (Stiller), who discovers that a magical Egyptian tablet has the power to bring museum exhibits to life each night. The first film was set in New York’s American Museum of Natural History, and the second took place almost entirely in the Smithsonian. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Night at the Museum 3 will move the action to London, presumably to the British Museum.
Williams’ return suggests that some of the exhibits from the first two films will somehow end up in England, along with the tablet. Of course, Dexter the Capuchin Monkey is a must, and I’d surprised if Owen Wilson’s Jedediah and Steve Coogan’s Octavius didn’t return, but the jury is still out on the rest of the series’ previous characters.
What I find more interesting is speculating about which new historical figures Larry could encounter in whichever London museum he ends up in. The Lewis Chessmen and the Cat Mummies would seem to be likely choices if the film is set in the British Museum, and I’m keen to see the Aztec Double-Headed Serpent menace Larry and company in the threequel.
Are you excited for Night at the Museum 3, or should this series have been left alone? What artifacts would you be excited to see come to life in a sequel? Sound off in the comments section!
Night at the Museum 3 will begin filming in February of next year.
