The Mummy 4 Finally Gets Green Light with Original Cast Reunion
After decades of speculation and false starts, the fourth instalment in the beloved adventure franchise, The Mummy, has been officially confirmed with a release date set for 19 May 2028. In a move that will delight long-time fans, the film will see the triumphant return of its original stars, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, who have not shared the screen in this series for over a quarter of a century.
A Long-Awaited Sequel Decades in the Making
The journey to this announcement has been fraught with uncertainty. The Mummy, released in 1999, catapulted Fraser to fame as the rugged explorer Rick O'Connell, with Weisz portraying the intelligent librarian Evelyn Carnahan. Their chemistry fuelled the success of the 2001 sequel, The Mummy Returns. However, by the time the third film, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, arrived in 2008, only Fraser returned, with Maria Bello stepping into Weisz's role.
Rumours of a fourth film have circulated for nearly twenty years, with Bello even indicating she had signed on to reprise Evelyn. Those plans were ultimately scrapped by Universal Pictures in 2012. The franchise saw a brief revival in 2017 with a Tom Cruise-led reboot intended to launch a new cinematic universe, but it failed critically and commercially, leading to its abandonment.
Fraser and Weisz Reunite for a New Adventure
The confirmation on Tuesday, 10 February, marks a significant milestone. Not only has The Mummy 4 received an official release date, but both Fraser and Weisz are confirmed to return, with Weisz reclaiming the role of Evelyn for the first time since 2001. This reunion is particularly poignant given Fraser's recent comments about his dissatisfaction with the third film.
In a November interview with The Associated Press, Fraser hinted at unfinished business, stating, "The one I wanted to make was never made. The one I wanted to make is forthcoming. And I've been waiting 20 years for this call." He later tempered expectations in a Radio Times interview, expressing hope but noting, "It's not up to me to pull that trigger!" Clearly, the studio has now given the green light.
Creative Team and Production Details
The film, which remains untitled, will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the duo behind the recent Scream sequels. The script is penned by David Coggeshall, known for his work on Orphan: First Kill and the Family Plan series. This new creative direction aims to recapture the magic of the original films, which were box office successes and loosely based on earlier Mummy films from the 1930s to 1950s.
With production set to begin soon, fans can anticipate a blend of nostalgia and fresh storytelling when The Mummy 4 hits cinemas in 2028, promising to deliver the adventure that has been eagerly awaited for two decades.
