The Mummy 4 Finally Gets Green Light After Two Decades
Hollywood star Brendan Fraser has officially confirmed that The Mummy 4 is moving forward, marking his triumphant return to the action franchise that made him a household name. The 56-year-old Oscar winner revealed he has been waiting twenty years for this moment, describing it as the project he always wanted to create for dedicated fans.
Fraser's Journey With The Mummy Franchise
Fraser first brought adventurer Rick O'Connell to life in 1999's The Mummy, followed by the successful sequel The Mummy Returns in 2001. Both films featured his acclaimed on-screen chemistry with Rachel Weisz. However, the third instalment, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in 2008, saw significant changes with Maria Bello replacing Weisz and Rob Cohen taking over directing duties from Stephen Sommers.
Reflecting on the third film's production, Fraser explained to Associated Press how external factors influenced the project. 'The third one was a model of how can I say this to the AP reporter? NBC had the rights to broadcast the Olympics that year,' he stated. 'So they put two together and we went to China. Working in Shanghai was an incredible experience. I'm proud of the third one because I think it's a good standalone movie.'
The Sequel Fraser Always Wanted to Make
Fraser didn't hold back about his vision for the franchise, telling reporters: 'The one I wanted to make was never made. 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.'
The production will see the return of Rachel Weisz, reuniting the original dynamic duo that fans have been demanding. Directing duties will be handled by the Radio Silence duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known for their work on recent horror-comedy hits.
Fraser also addressed Universal's failed 2017 reboot starring Tom Cruise, noting that the crucial missing ingredient was fun. 'It is hard to make that movie,' he told Variety. 'The ingredient that we had going for our Mummy, which I didn't see in that film, was fun. That was what was lacking in [Tom Cruise's] incarnation. It was too much of a straight-ahead horror movie. The Mummy should be a thrill ride, but not terrifying and scary.'
The actor's career has experienced a remarkable resurgence since his 2023 Oscar win for The Whale, cementing his Hollywood comeback. He currently stars in Hikari's comedy drama Rental Family, playing an American man who takes unusual stand-in roles for strangers through a Japanese agency.
