How different is "The Mummy Returns", to its predecessor?

It's a big difference actually. I'm a mother. I'm married to Brendan Fraser. We have an eight year-old son. My character's really developed. She's not a wide-eyed innocent librarian anymore. She gets to use guns. She's kind of more of a warrior librarian - tougher.

What did "The Mummy"'s success do for you?

You're talking about success in financial terms. It meant that I could finance my own pictures. I did a film called "Beautiful Creatures", a very low budget independent film. It was a luxury to be able to choose very risky, bizarre projects.

What do you recall feeling when you got the role?

When I told my parents that I was doing a film called "The Mummy", they said, "You are doing what?"It reminded me of "Raiders of the Lost Ark", and I love those movies. I thought it was a really funny role, I love comedy. It's a librarian in an action movie, which was an hilarious concept. It was a good role!

Do you think you're a star now with this film?

I don't think I am. I'm an actress. That's a whole other conversation. Marilyn Munroe was a star. Everyone's a celebrity. If you go out with a TV presenter for ten minutes you're a celebrity. There are so many nowadays. It doesn't mean anything any more. There was Elvis, Munroe. I can walk down the street without being mobbed; it's not really like that. There's a myth that's been created and people don't want that myth to be burst.

Read our review of "The Mummy Returns".