Speaking to journalists on Sunday morning, Hannah reflected on the unpredictability of an acting career, the enduring popularity of The Mummy, his recent international productions and his belief in the goodness of people.

Looking back on his career, Hannah said his breakthrough in Four Weddings and a Funeral changed everything, although not necessarily in the way many people imagine. “Four Weddings was about nine years after I left drama school. So it was kind of an overnight success after nine years,” he said jokingly.

The actor recalled how the success of the film suddenly opened doors that had previously been closed to him.

“Right after Four Weddings, I was offered a lead role at the National Theatre. Again, a role which I would never in a million years have been considered for prior to that. And that really angered me. It really made me cross at how fickle the industry is.”

One of the most discussed topics of the session was The Mummy, which Hannah described as one of the most challenging experiences of his career.

“Probably, it might surprise people, but I would say that the first Mummy film was really challenging,” he said. “Because that was the first film in what turned out to be a series, because it was successful, nobody knew if it was going to be successful. It was, ‘Is this going to work?’”

Coming from a theater background, he admitted that some scenes felt ridiculous while filming.

“I remember saying to Steve, ‘Oh come on Steve, that's really lame, nobody's ever going to believe that.’ He said, ‘Trust me John, trust me, it'll work.’”

After seeing the audience reaction during a test screening, he changed his mind completely. “When that happened, it was just insane, the laughs and everything. And I was like, ‘Okay, I know nothing, I'll do whatever you want.’”

The actor also delighted festival attendees by confirming that a new Mummy movie is in development.

“You've probably heard all the rumours and that, it's true,” Hannah said. “Everybody's come back.”

He revealed that Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are returning, while also hinting at several surprises. Hannah appeared particularly excited about the return of Kevin J. O'Connor, who played Benny in the original film.

“Kevin comes back as well, so I think that's great, because he was a great element in the first film.”

The discussion then turned to Hannah's recent work on international productions.

Asked by TVBIZZ about the growing importance of international co-productions in Europe, whether such projects are easier or harder for actors, and about working with Can Yaman on Sandokan, Hannah praised both the European production model and his experience on the ambitious Italian adventure drama.

“Interestingly, European co-production seems to be quite a new thing. And I'm grateful for that, given the disaster of the whole Brexit fiasco. It's very nice that we're turning more to Europe than to the States for co-production.”

Speaking about Yaman he described the production as one of the highlights of recent years. “I've been lucky enough to work on Sandokan with Can and with the Italian crew, who I love.”



The actor said he formed close friendships with director Jan Michelini and members of the crew during filming in Italy and on Reunion Island.

“My superpower of meeting wonderful, wonderful people just kicked off with these guys. I feel Italian. I don't speak Italian, but I am Italian.”

Hannah also reflected on the extraordinary level of fame enjoyed by Yaman. “I wouldn't like to have his life, to be honest... He seems a little fearful of the world, a little removed from it. And I suppose with that kind of fame and that kind of attention that he gets when he turns up at airports and things, it's naturally going to make you want to withdraw.”

Despite that, Hannah spoke warmly of his co-star. “I think that's a shame because he's obviously a lovely man, has a good heart, cares.”

The actor emphasized how much he enjoys working across different countries and cultures.

Hannah spoke enthusiastically about his latest international project, the Spanish-British co-production Benidorm is Murder, which was originally developed under the title Death in Benidorm. The actor plays a former police officer who now runs a bar in the famous Spanish resort town before becoming drawn into a murder investigation. Praising the writing, Hannah said the series stood out because “every character in it has a purpose and a goal” and “no one's there simply to serve the next dinner on the plate.” He described the show as “very, very brilliantly written,” adding that it is scheduled to premiere in the UK in July. “I'm really proud of it. I hope we get a good audience and get to do it again,” he said.

“One of the things I always say is you can tell the job that somebody does on a crew by how they're dressed. It's the same the world over. The sparks dress the same, the gaffers look the same, the camera department looks the same, the art department looks the same. We're all the same. It doesn't matter where in the world you are, we're still in the same village.”

Throughout the conversation, Hannah repeatedly returned to the importance of human connections. Whether discussing fans, fellow actors or crew members, he credited much of his success to the people he has met throughout his life.

“I don't think I'm particularly talented or funny. But I think I have a gift for meeting talented and funny and good people.”

Asked why he remains optimistic despite current global tensions, Hannah offered a simple answer. “I believe in the goodness of people.”

For an actor whose career has taken him from Shakespeare to mummies, superheroes, doctors and pirates, it was a fitting conclusion to a conversation defined less by celebrity and more by gratitude, curiosity and a genuine affection for the people he has encountered along the way.