‘The Mummy’ Returns Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Begin Filming New Installment

Franchise revivals have become a hallmark of Hollywood in recent years, but few announcements resonate with nostalgia like the reunion of a beloved adventure duo after almost two decades apart. Universal’s classic monster franchise has long been one of the industry’s most anticipated comebacks, and fans are finally getting their wish.

The adventure series kicked off in 1999, centered on a cursed Egyptian priest and the treasure hunters who unwittingly awaken him from his ancient slumber. The original film and its 2001 sequel were massive box office successes, establishing star power for its leads and solidifying the franchise as a cherished part of blockbuster history for an entire generation.

Now, that legacy is set to continue. Brendan Fraser confirmed during an interview with Canal+ at the American Film Festival in Deauville that filming for the fourth ‘Mummy’ installment commenced on Monday, September 7, marking his return to the franchise nearly two decades after he last portrayed Rick O’Connell in 2008’s ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.’

Rachel Weisz’s return is particularly significant, as she last played Evelyn O’Connell 25 years ago in 2001’s ‘The Mummy Returns,’ having skipped the 2008 sequel when Maria Bello took over the role. Her comeback effectively continues the story as a direct follow-up to the beloved original duology rather than the third film.

Fraser and Weisz will not be reuniting alone. John Hannah is also confirmed to return as Evelyn’s brother Jonathan, alongside franchise veterans Kevin J. O’Connor as Beni and Oded Fehr as Ardeth Bay, creating a cast list that feels like a genuine full-circle moment for longtime fans of the series.

Directing the film are Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the filmmaking duo known as Radio Silence, who gained acclaim for reviving the ‘Scream’ franchise with 2022’s ‘Scream’ and its sequel ‘Scream VI.’ They also directed 2019’s ‘Ready or Not’ and the upcoming 2024 vampire horror film ‘Abigail,’ showcasing their ability to successfully reboot beloved genre properties for contemporary audiences.

Universal has scheduled the new film for a wide theatrical release on October 15, 2027, moving up from an initially reported May 2028 target date. The screenplay is penned by David Coggeshall, recognized for his work on ‘The Family Plan’ and ‘Orphan: First Kill,’ with plot details for the new film being kept tightly under wraps for now.

Gillett has described the project as beautiful, scary, and sweeping, while co-director Bettinelli-Olpin suggested that Fraser and Weisz wouldn’t have signed on unless they felt genuinely confident in the story’s direction. This sentiment aligns with how carefully the studio and creative team appear to be approaching this particular legacy sequel, given the affection surrounding the original films.

Longtime producer Sean Daniel, who has been involved with every installment of the franchise since the original 1999 film, is also returning for this new chapter, alongside William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein through Project X Entertainment. Fraser will also serve as an executive producer on the film in addition to reprising his starring role.

With cameras officially rolling and a theatrical release date set for October 2027, fans finally have a concrete timeline for the reunion they’ve been eagerly anticipating for years. Whether the new film can recapture the swashbuckling charm of the original duology remains to be seen, but the return of its two original leads has already sparked genuine excitement among the fandom.

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