Brendan Fraser & Rachel Weisz Ready to Reclaim the Mummy Franchise

After years of whispers, a critical comeback, and a clear vision for what works, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are reportedly in talks to return for a fourth Mummy film. Get ready for Rick and Evy to once again grace the big screen!

TL;DR: Quick Bites on the Mummy's Potential Revival

• Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are reportedly in discussions with Universal Pictures for a new Mummy movie.
• Filmmaking duo Radio Silence, known for hit horror-comedies like Ready or Not and the recent Scream films, are set to direct.
• The upcoming sequel will reportedly disregard the events of the 2008 film, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Remember that feeling when you first saw Rick O'Connell and Evelyn Carnahan bumbling into ancient Egyptian curses, narrowly escaping danger, and falling for each other amidst a cascade of sand and sarcophagi? For many, the 1999 rendition of The Mummy was pure cinematic gold—a perfect blend of action, adventure, romance, and just enough horror to keep things thrilling, but never truly terrifying.

Yet, the franchise hit a few bumps along the road, particularly with the 2017 reboot starring Tom Cruise. Brendan Fraser himself once insightfully dissected its misstep: "The ingredient that we had going for our 'Mummy,' which I didn’t see in the new one, was fun," he told Variety back in 2022. "That was what was lacking in that incarnation. It was too much of a straight-ahead horror movie. 'The Mummy' should be a thrill ride, but not terrifying and scary." It seems Universal Pictures is listening, as reports now indicate Fraser and Rachel Weisz are in talks for a new installment that aims to recapture that original magic. Source: [Variety, Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz Reuniting for Fourth ‘Mummy’ Movie, Nov 4, 2025]

The Beloved Duo's Adventurous Journey Through Ancient Curses and Box Office Success

When The Mummy first unearthed itself in 1999, it wasn't just a film; it was an event. Brendan Fraser, as the wisecracking American adventurer Rick O'Connell, and Rachel Weisz, as the charmingly clumsy Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan, lit up the screen with undeniable chemistry. Their dynamic, reminiscent of classic serials and Indiana Jones epics, resonated deeply with audiences.

The movie, directed and co-written by Stephen Sommers, brought an "Indiana Jones flair" to Universal's classic monsters, blending action, adventure, and romance with just the right touch of horror in a 1920s period setting. It proved to be a massive box office hit, grossing over $422.5 million worldwide. This success not only launched a beloved franchise but also cemented Fraser's status as a bankable leading man and A-lister. Source: [The Hollywood Reporter, Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz Reuniting for Fourth ‘Mummy’ Movie, Nov 4, 2025]

The demand for more led to the swift release of The Mummy Returns in 2001, which saw the duo back in action, further exploring their relationship and introducing their son, Alex. This sequel was also a commercial triumph, hauling in an impressive $443.3 million at the box office globally. Source: [Forbes, How Much Did It Cost Universal To Make ‘The Mummy’?, Nov 05, 2025]

Navigating Past Pitfalls: From Recasting Woes to a Critical Comeback

The franchise's trajectory became a bit rockier after its initial successes. For 2008's The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Rachel Weisz did not return, and her character Evelyn was recast with Maria Bello. While Fraser reprised his role, and the action moved from Egypt to China, the film received the lowest critical ratings of the series, earning a dismal 13% on Rotten Tomatoes from critics and only 30% from audiences. Despite this, it still managed to gross $403.4 million worldwide, suggesting some residual fan loyalty. Source: [Forbes, How Much Did It Cost Universal To Make ‘The Mummy’?, Nov 05, 2025]

Universal then attempted a full reboot in 2017 with a much darker, horror-focused take starring Tom Cruise. This film was intended to kickstart a "Dark Universe" of interconnected monster Movies, but it fell short of expectations. Panned by critics for its "cliched one-liners, messy narrative, and lack of uniqueness," it was ultimately deemed "absolutely forgettable" by Polygon. Despite a substantial budget (reportedly $266.8 million gross, $221.7 million net after tax credits) and a worldwide gross of $409.2 million, it failed to ignite the planned cinematic universe and was estimated to have lost $17.1 million at the box office after studio costs were factored in. Source: [Forbes, How Much Did It Cost Universal To Make ‘The Mummy’?, Nov 05, 2025]

Meanwhile, Brendan Fraser stepped away from the Hollywood spotlight for a period, dealing with personal and health issues. His triumphant return culminated in his Oscar-winning performance in the 2022 drama The Whale, which reignited both his career and fervent fan support. Rachel Weisz also continued to build an impressive career, winning an Oscar in 2006 for The Constant Gardener and appearing in high-profile projects like Marvel's Black Widow and Amazon Prime Video's Dead Ringers.

A Fresh Directorial Vision for a Beloved Franchise

With Fraser's career revitalized and both stars expressing openness to returning to their iconic roles, the stage is set for a fresh take. Universal Pictures is reportedly tapping the filmmaking team known as Radio Silence—Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett—to direct this new installment. This duo is celebrated for their clever horror-comedy hits like 2019's Ready or Not and for successfully revitalizing the Scream franchise with two recent entries (2022 and 2023). Their track record suggests they understand how to blend scares with genuine fun, a quality Fraser himself highlighted as essential for a Mummy movie.

The screenplay will be penned by David Coggeshall, whose previous credits include The Family Plan and Orphan: First Kill. Sean Daniel, a producer on the original Mummy films, is also reportedly returning, joined by Radio Silence collaborators William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment. This combination of returning talent and fresh, genre-savvy directors hints at an exciting direction for the series.

Disregarding the Past: A Strategic Move to Bring Back Evy

Perhaps the most intriguing detail to emerge is that this new project is being described by sources as "not a reboot, but rather a sequel that would disregard the events of the third movie," The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. This strategic decision would effectively erase the continuity issues, most notably the recasting of Evelyn Carnahan.

By pretending the third film never happened, the door is wide open for Rachel Weisz to return as Evelyn without needing complex narrative gymnastics to explain her absence or a previous replacement. It’s a direct response to fan desires, allowing the beloved original duo to continue their adventures from where The Mummy Returns left off, maintaining the integrity of their iconic chemistry.

"I don’t know how it would work. But I’d be open to it, if someone came up with the right conceit."

— Brendan Fraser, in 2022, on returning to the Mummy franchise (Variety)

Anticipating the Next Adventure: Potential Hurdles and Competing Interests

While the news of Fraser and Weisz's potential return has generated immense excitement, it's important to remember that they are currently "in talks." Studio deals can be complex, and while enthusiasm is high, a final agreement isn't yet confirmed. Universal Pictures has also maintained a "no comment" stance on the reports, which is typical for projects in early development stages. This silence, while frustrating for eager fans, doesn't necessarily indicate a lack of progress; rather, it’s standard industry practice before official announcements are ready.

Adding another layer of complexity, there's a separate Mummy film in development from director Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise), produced by Blumhouse and Atomic Monster for Warner Bros. This project, which is outside the Universal franchise, has even been rumored to be retitled The Resurrected to avoid confusion. This means that while fans are buzzing about Rick and Evy, there could be two different mummies vying for attention in the coming years. However, the Universal project with Fraser and Weisz benefits from the nostalgia and established goodwill tied to the original cast and creative spirit.

For example, consider Sarah, a long-time fan who grew up watching Rick and Evy’s antics. She remembers being disappointed by the 2008 sequel and completely ignoring the 2017 reboot. Hearing the news about Fraser and Weisz reuniting, she instantly pulls up old clips, a rush of fond memories returning. For her, the "in talks" status is a small detail compared to the overwhelming joy of seeing her cinematic heroes potentially return. The fact that the third film might be ignored means her cherished version of Evy is back, undiluted.

Practical Takeaways for Eager Fans

• Expect Fun-Filled Action and Adventure: With Radio Silence at the helm and Fraser's clear vision, the new film is likely to prioritize the adventurous, comedic, and thrilling tone that defined the original films, rather than leaning into pure horror.
• Original Chemistry Rekindled: The core appeal of the first two films was the dynamic between Fraser's Rick and Weisz's Evelyn. Their reported reunion means fans can look forward to seeing that beloved on-screen magic return.
• A Clean Slate Post-Returns: By disregarding The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, the film can comfortably pick up the story after The Mummy Returns, offering a fresh narrative path without being burdened by previous continuity choices.
• Brendan Fraser's Triumphant Return Continues: This project is another exciting chapter in Fraser's career resurgence, offering him a chance to revisit a character that helped define him for an entire generation.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Mummy's Return

Is this The Mummy 4 or a full reboot of the franchise?

Reports indicate this new project is a direct sequel that will reportedly "disregard the events of the third movie," The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. It's not a full reboot, but a continuation of the story from the first two films starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.

Will the new Mummy film be a scary horror movie?

Based on Brendan Fraser's past comments and the directing duo Radio Silence's work (known for blending horror with comedy and action), it's expected to be more of a "thrill ride" with adventurous and fun elements, rather than a straight-ahead terrifying horror film.

Who are the directors, Radio Silence?

Radio Silence is the filmmaking team of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. They are critically acclaimed for their work on the horror-comedy Ready or Not (2019) and for successfully reviving the Scream franchise with the 2022 and 2023 installments, as well as directing the vampire flick Abigail.

Why wasn't Rachel Weisz in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor?

Rachel Weisz did not return for the third film, and her character, Evelyn Carnahan, was recast with Maria Bello. While specific reasons for her departure from that project were not detailed in the reference articles, the new film's decision to disregard the third movie allows her to return to the role.

Sources:

• Variety, "Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz Reuniting for Fourth ‘Mummy’ Movie", Rebecca Rubin, Nov 4, 2025.
• The Hollywood Reporter, "Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz Reuniting for Fourth ‘Mummy’ Movie", Borys Kit, Nov 4, 2025.
• The Guardian, "Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz to reunite for new Mummy movie – reports", Nov 4, 2025.
• CNN, "Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz reportedly in talks for ‘The Mummy 4’ reunion", Lianne Kolirin and Lisa Respers France, Updated Nov 5, 2025.
• Polygon, "The Dark Universe may be dead, but The Mummy is eternal; as such, the film series is set to return, not as a reboot, but as a sequel to Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz's first two films.", Nov 5, 2025.
• SlashFilm, "Bisexuals Everywhere, Rejoice: Brendan Fraser And Rachel Weisz Are Returning For The Mummy 4", Jeremy Mathai, Nov 4, 2025.
• IGN, "Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Will Return for The Mummy 4", Nov 5, 2025.
• Forbes, "How Much Did It Cost Universal To Make ‘The Mummy’?", Caroline Reid, Nov 05, 2025.
• SYFY WIRE, "Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Will Return in Fourth Mummy Film from Abigail Directors (REPORT)", Josh Weiss, Nov 4, 2025.