MANILA, Philippines - Imagine walking into the world’s most magnificent museums, where the wonders and history of the world come to life in Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb. That was the starting point for the Night at the Museum motion pictures, which have captivated audiences globally and grossed over $1B. Now, its third installment takes all of its beloved characters around the world for their greatest adventure yet.
Ben Stiller reprises his role as museum guard Larry Daley, and Shawn Levy is once again at the helm, producing and directing. When New York’s Natural History Museum’s exhibits, which come to life at night, start to behave strangely, Larry, the newly-promoted director of nighttime operations at the museum, must find out why. The Tablet, which magically brings the creatures to life, has started to decay and the only way to restore it may be at the British Museum. Larry, who’ll do anything to save his museum “family,” along with his son Nick and the museum exhibits, travel from New York to London, where they must discover the Tablet’s secret.
Robin Williams and Mickey Rooney, who sadly passed away earlier this year, reprise their roles as Teddy Roosevelt and retired security night guard, respectively.
“Teddy Roosevelt was an amazing naturalist, botanist, environmentalist and hunter,” noted Williams. “He had this sense of the great outdoors, that the wild environment is where you find yourself. And part of his legacy was founding the National Park System, helping get that up and running. He was, truly, an exciting man.”
In the Night at the Museum films, Teddy is also a true romantic. There’s a charge between Teddy and the museum figure of Lewis and Clark’s guide and interpreter, Sacajawea. As Teddy jokes, “I’m wax, she’s polyurethane, but somehow it works.”
Joining Williams as key returnees to this world are Owen Wilson and Steve Coogan, as the surprising duo of American cowboy Jedediah and Roman Centurion Octavius, both miniatures from historic dioramas. They’re the smallest characters with the biggest friendship.Another Museum veteran, Golden Globe and Emmy-winning British comedian and actor Ricky Gervais returns as McPhee, the head of the Museum and Larry’s boss.
Dan Stevens, who captivated TV audiences as Matthew in the acclaimed British series Downton Abbey, stars as Lancelot, the epitome of chivalry, valor and bravery. Another new face is Tilly, the night guard at the British Museum.
Academy Award winner Ben Kingsley stars as Merenkahre, Ahkmenrah’s father and Pharaoh of the Nile. Merenkahre has held the secret to the Tomb for 4,000 years and only his knowledge can keep the Tablet, and the museum creatures alive.
It’s one thing for Larry to deal with an ancient Pharaoh. It’s quite another to wrangle his teenage son. Seventeen-year-old high school senior Nick Daley, played by Skyler Gisondo, is at odds with Larry. While his father wants him to go to college, Nick wants to be his own person and pursue his dream of being a deejay in far-off and exotic locales. For Gisondo who was age 10 when Night at the Museum came out, working on the new film was an unforgettable experience.
Another young man — this one from Ancient Egypt — gives his name to the magic tablet that brings the museum to life. That would be Pharaoh Ahkmenrah, the young Egyptian mummy whose family holds the secret of the Tomb. Rami Malek reprises his role as Ahkmenrah. Malek notes a special highlight of coming back for the new film: “Ben Kingsley is an icon and someone I’ve admired my whole life,” he explains.
From 20th Century Fox, Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb opens in theaters on Jan. 8, 2015.