Oscar recipients Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz have been confirmed to make a comeback to the mystical realm of ancient Egypt. As per reports from US media outlets, the much-anticipated “The Mummy 4” is scheduled for a theatrical debut on May 19, 2028, with Universal Pictures as the main studio backing the production.
The forthcoming installment is set to be helmed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett from Radio Silence, the creative team responsible for the acclaimed 2019 thriller “Ready or Not.” The script for the movie has been crafted by David Coggeshall.
Fraser and Weisz are set to reprise their memorable roles as the daring adventurer Rick O’Connell and the skilled Egyptologist Evelyn O’Connell. The duo originally starred in the 1999 reimagining of “The Mummy,” which chronicled their expedition to the ancient city of Hamunaptra — an escapade that inadvertently unleashed the vengeful high priest Imhotep. The movie was a massive success worldwide, becoming one of Universal’s highest-grossing blockbusters of the early 2000s, raking in over $422 million globally.
The franchise extended with the release of “The Mummy Returns” in 2001, introducing the intriguing Scorpion King narrative and further developing the saga of the O’Connells. However, Weisz was absent from the third installment, 2008’s “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.”
Sources indicate that “The Mummy 4” will serve as a direct continuation rather than a complete reboot, and it is anticipated to disregard the events of the 2008 film. Returning to the production team are producer Sean Daniel, a key figure from the original trilogy, along with Radio Silence collaborators William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein under the Project X Entertainment banner.
Fraser’s career revival post his award-winning performance in “The Whale” (2022) is speculated to have been instrumental in reigniting interest in reviving the franchise. Meanwhile, Weisz has been actively maintaining her strong presence on screen, with recent appearances in “Dead Ringers” and “Black Widow.”
With the original stars making a comeback and a new creative team taking the reins, the upcoming installment of “The Mummy” series is aiming to infuse fresh vigor while tapping into the nostalgia that solidified the 1999 film as a beloved classic.