After years of speculation, fervent fan campaigns, and a few false starts, Universal Pictures has finally confirmed what adventure movie enthusiasts have long hoped for: Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are officially returning for The Mummy 4, with the film set to hit theaters on May 19, 2028. The announcement, made on February 10, 2026, sent waves of excitement through the entertainment world, reigniting interest in a franchise that first captured imaginations more than a quarter-century ago.
Fraser and Weisz, who first appeared together as Rick and Evelyn O’Connell in the 1999 blockbuster The Mummy and its 2001 sequel The Mummy Returns, are reuniting on screen nearly two decades after their last shared adventure. While Fraser continued with 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Weisz’s absence from the third film was deeply felt by fans. Now, with both stars confirmed to return, Universal is treating the reunion with the grandeur it deserves. As reported by CNA and CBR, the studio made the casting official alongside the long-awaited release date.
The new installment will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the creative duo known collectively as Radio Silence. Their previous work on horror hits like Ready or Not and the Scream franchise has established them as rising stars in genre filmmaking. According to Daily Times, Universal’s trust in Radio Silence was further cemented after the pair helmed the 2024 vampire film Abigail for the studio. The screenplay for The Mummy 4 comes from David Coggeshall, whose script has been described by Gillett as “very beautiful and sweeping and scary and fun”—a combination that promises to blend the action-adventure spirit of the originals with a fresh, modern twist.
Behind the scenes, the film boasts a formidable production team. Series veteran Sean Daniel returns as producer, joined by William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein under the Project X Entertainment banner. Fraser himself, along with Hivemind’s Jason F. Brown and Denis Stewart, will serve as executive producers. This marks another collaboration between Radio Silence and Universal, a partnership that’s already borne fruit with Abigail.
While plot details remain tightly under wraps, speculation is already swirling. According to Daily Times, there’s talk that The Mummy 4 may choose to erase or retcon the events of the third film, which had recast Weisz’s character and departed from the personal stakes and sweeping adventure that made the first two entries beloved. No specific storyline has been confirmed, but fans can expect the O’Connells to once again face supernatural threats, likely with a fresh undead menace at the center of the action.
The return of both Fraser and Weisz is particularly significant for longtime followers of the franchise. The chemistry between the two actors was a key ingredient in the success of the original films, which blended swashbuckling adventure, romance, and horror in a way that resonated with global audiences. The 1999 film grossed $422.5 million worldwide, according to CBR, and its sequel performed even better. While the third installment, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, also crossed the $400 million mark, it was met with less enthusiasm—reviews were notably less favorable, and the absence of Weisz was keenly felt.
Brendan Fraser has spoken candidly about his long-standing desire to revisit the franchise. In an interview with The Associated Press cited by Men’s Journal, Fraser revealed, “The one I wanted to make was never made.” He explained that the third film’s shift to China was influenced by the 2008 Beijing Olympics and corporate synergy, but added, “Working in Shanghai, an incredible experience. I’m proud of the third one because I think it’s a good standalone movie. We picked up and did what we do with a different crew on deck and gave it our best shot. But the one I wanted to make is forthcoming. And I’ve been waiting 20 years for this call. Sometimes it was loud, sometimes it was a faint telegraph. Now? It’s time to give the fans what they want.”
Fraser’s enthusiasm is matched by the enduring passion of The Mummy’s fanbase. Reflecting on his experiences at fan conventions, Fraser told Deadline, “We were there to sign autographs, meet fans, but we did have a [question-and-answer session] on stage in front of 3,000 attendees and I thought we were rockstars too, so much so like I walked off stage thinking, ‘Man I am gonna get a personality hangover out of those.’ That was a lot of love.” His comments underscore the lasting impact the franchise has had on audiences around the world.
Of course, Fraser’s history with the series hasn’t been without its perils. He has recounted a harrowing near-death experience during the filming of the original movie, when a stunt involving a noose went dangerously wrong. “Nearly. Well, I was choked out accidentally,” Fraser told The Kelly Clarkson Show. He described how he was standing on his toes with a rope around his neck, and after a request from director Stephen Sommers to “sell it” more convincingly, the stunt became all too real. “And so he was pulling up and I was going down. And then the next thing I knew, my elbow was in my ear, the world was sideways, there was gravel in my teeth and everyone was really quiet.” It’s a vivid reminder of the risks actors sometimes take to deliver the thrills audiences crave.
The Mummy franchise’s legacy is a storied one. The original 1999 film, a modern reboot of Universal’s classic horror property, reinvented the tale with a blend of action, humor, and supernatural chills. Its success led to a lucrative series, with the first two films each grossing over $400 million globally, according to BoxOffice Mojo. The 2001 sequel, The Mummy Returns, solidified the series’ place in pop culture, while the third film, despite its commercial success, left some fans yearning for a return to form.
Universal’s attempt to reboot the franchise with Tom Cruise in 2017 failed to launch a new shared universe, as the film underperformed both critically and commercially. That false start only heightened anticipation for a true continuation of the original saga. Now, with Fraser and Weisz back on board, and a creative team eager to honor the spirit of the originals while charting new territory, The Mummy 4 looks poised to recapture the magic that made the series a phenomenon.
With the release date now set and the key players in place, anticipation is building for what could be one of the most eagerly awaited cinematic reunions in recent memory. For fans and newcomers alike, May 2028 can’t come soon enough.