Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Confirm Return
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are set to return for a fourth installment of the beloved Mummy series. The announcement was made on Tuesday, November 4, as both actors officially signed on to reprise their roles. This highly anticipated sequel will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known for their work in the Scream franchise and films like Ready or Not.
History of The Mummy Franchise
The Mummy franchise began with the release of the original film in 1999, directed by Stephen Sommers. This adventure film, which combined elements of horror and humor, was a box office success, grossing over $400 million worldwide. Its sequel, The Mummy Returns, came out in 2001 and achieved even greater success, earning $443 million globally.
In 2008, the third film, titled Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, featured Fraser returning as Rick O’Connell. However, Weisz was replaced by Maria Bello for this installment. Moving the story from Egypt to China, the film still managed to gross over $400 million, despite mixed reviews.
Future of The Mummy 4
As of now, there are no specific plot details available regarding The Mummy 4. Universal Pictures has not provided further comments on the sequel’s storyline. Additionally, the studio previously attempted a reboot of the franchise in 2017, led by Tom Cruise, which ultimately did not succeed but still grossed $400 million against a $125 million budget.
Sommers hinted at a desire to return to the roots of the franchise, emphasizing that future adventures should include significant elements set in Egypt. He suggested that while not every scene needs to take place there, it remains a vital aspect of the Mummy experience.
Competing Projects
In addition to Universal’s efforts, a competing Mummy film is under development at Warner Bros. This project is being directed by Lee Cronin and produced by Jason Blum and James Wan through their collaborations with Blumhouse Productions and Atomic Monster.
- Brendan Fraser: Returning as Rick O’Connell
- Rachel Weisz: Reprising her role as Evie O’Connell
- Directors: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett
- Previous Films:
- The Mummy (1999) – Grossed over $400 million
- The Mummy Returns (2001) – Grossed $443 million
- Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) – Grossed over $400 million
- 2017 Reboot: Attempted by Universal, grossed $400 million against $125 million budget
As fans eagerly await further updates, the return of Fraser and Weisz reignites excitement for one of cinema’s most engaging adventure series. Only time will reveal what new challenges await them in The Mummy 4.
