Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Set to Reunite for a New Mummy Movie
After more than two decades, Universal Pictures is reviving its iconic adventure franchise — with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in talks to reprise their legendary roles as Rick and Evelyn O’Connell.
Universal Pictures is officially dusting off one of its most beloved franchises — The Mummy — with reports confirming that Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are in discussions to return for a brand-new installment. The project is expected to serve as a continuation of the hit ’90s and 2000s films rather than a reboot, bringing back the iconic duo who defined adventure cinema for an entire generation.
The new film will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the creative duo behind the Scream reboot series and Ready or Not. The script is written by David Coggeshall, known for The Family Plan and The Deliverance. The film will be produced by franchise veteran Sean Daniel alongside William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment.
Fraser and Weisz originally starred in The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001), both directed by Stephen Sommers. Their on-screen chemistry as Rick O’Connell — a rugged American adventurer — and Evelyn Carnahan — a witty Egyptologist — turned the films into box office blockbusters, each grossing over $400 million worldwide. Their adventures against the resurrected Imhotep became cultural touchstones of late ’90s action filmmaking. The third film, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), featured Fraser but not Weisz, and while it performed decently, it lacked the magic of the earlier entries.
Universal last attempted to resurrect the franchise in 2017 with Tom Cruise’s The Mummy, intended to launch the “Dark Universe” series of interconnected monster movies. Despite grossing over $400 million globally, that reboot was met with poor reviews and quickly derailed the studio’s grand plans. Now, with Brendan Fraser’s Hollywood resurgence — highlighted by his Oscar win for The Whale — and a wave of millennial nostalgia for the original Mummy films, the timing for a comeback couldn’t be better.
Industry insiders suggest the new installment could ignore the events of Tomb of the Dragon Emperor and instead serve as a spiritual successor to the first two films. While plot details are still under wraps, the involvement of Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett hints at a mix of adventure, horror, and dark humor — a blend that could breathe fresh life into the series while honoring its roots.
For Universal, reviving The Mummy franchise makes strategic sense. The original movies spawned theme park attractions in Hollywood, Orlando, and Singapore, proving the brand’s enduring appeal. With audiences craving nostalgic yet modernized blockbusters, a return to the world of Rick and Evelyn O’Connell could be the perfect formula for box office success.
While details remain under wraps, the reported return of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz promises to recapture the excitement and charm that made The Mummy franchise a global hit. If executed right, this could mark one of Hollywood’s most anticipated and beloved comebacks.
