2028 Release Confirmed: Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Set for The Mummy 4
After nearly 20 years, the iconic Mummy franchise is officially returning to the big screen in 2028.
Deadline reported yesterday that the iconic Mummy franchise is officially returning to the big screen on May 19, 2028. For fans who grew up with the 1999 film series, the most exciting news is the confirmed return of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. The two stars will reprise their roles as Rick and Evelyn O'Connell for the first time together since 2001's The Mummy Returns. The project will be helmed by the "Radio Silence" duo, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known for their successful revivals of the Scream franchise and the horror-hit Ready or Not. Written by David Coggeshall (The Family Plan), the fourth installment will reportedly serve as a direct sequel to the first two films, largely bypassing the events of the 2008 third entry, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
While the first two films were global hits—each grossing over $400 million—critical reception was mixed. The momentum slowed in 2008 with The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Notably, Rachel Weisz did not return for that third installment, with Maria Bello stepping in to play Evelyn. Despite crossing the $400 million mark again, the third film saw a dip in ticket sales and was largely panned by critics. The upcoming fourth film will arrive nearly 20 years after the previous entry. In the intervening years, the status of its lead stars has reached new heights:
Brendan Fraser became an Academy Award winner for Best Actor for his role in The Whale (2022).
Rachel Weisz is an Academy Award winner for Best Supporting Actress for The Constant Gardener (2005).
Universal’s path to this revival has been complex. After the original trilogy (1999–2008) grossed over $1.2 billion, the studio attempted a 2017 reboot starring Tom Cruise. That film was intended to launch a "Dark Universe" featuring cinematic legends like Frankenstein, Bride of Frankenstein and the Invisible Man, but poor box office and critical reception led the studio to scrap those interconnected plans in favor of standalone stories.
While fans wait for 2028, a different kind of ancient evil is arriving this year. Warner Bros. Pictures will release Lee Cronin’s The Mummy on April 17, 2026. Written and directed by Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise), this film is not connected to the Brendan Fraser or Tom Cruise versions. Instead, it is a psychological horror film produced by Blumhouse and Atomic Monster. The cast includes Jack Reynor, Goya Awards Best Actress winner Laia Costa (Lullaby), May Calamawy (Moon Knight), Natalie Grace and Verónica Falcón. The young daughter of a journalist disappears into the desert without a trace—eight years later, the broken family is shocked when she is returned to them, as what should be a joyful reunion turns into a living nightmare.
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Photo: Universal Pictures
Source: Deadline、The Hollywood Reporter