LOS ANGELES, CA – The “Brennaissance” is officially reaching its peak. Universal Pictures has greenlit The Mummy 4, with original stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz officially set to reunite for the first time in 25 years.
According to production reports released today, March 25, 2026, principal photography is scheduled to begin this August in the United Kingdom and Morocco. The film has been handed a high-stakes theatrical release date of May 19, 2028.
## The Return of the O’Connells
The most significant news for fans is the return of Rachel Weisz as Evelyn Carnahan-O’Connell. Weisz famously opted out of the 2008 third installment, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, where she was replaced by Maria Bello.
Insiders suggest that the new script—penned by David Coggeshall (Orphan: First Kill)—will take a “legacy sequel” approach, reportedly ignoring the events of the third film entirely to serve as a direct follow-up to The Mummy Returns (2001).
- The Directors: Taking the helm is the filmmaking duo known as Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett), the team behind the successful Scream (2022) reboot and Ready or Not.
- The Vibe: The directors have teased a return to the “sweeping, scary, and fun” tone of the 1999 original, with a heavy emphasis on practical effects over CGI.
### A “Very Dark” 2026 for Mummies
While fans wait for the Fraser-led sequel, the “Mummy” brand is actually seeing a double-resurrection. A separate, standalone horror reimagining titled The Mummy, directed by Lee Cronin (Evil Dead Rise), is set to hit theaters next month on April 17, 2026.
Unlike the swashbuckling adventure of the Fraser films, Cronin’s version is expected to be a “hard-R” horror film. Universal is reportedly comfortable with both projects co-existing—one serving the nostalgia of the O’Connell family and the other catering to modern horror audiences.
> “We want to put the cast in as real a situation as we can… we’re steering into ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’ territory. It’s a sweeping action-adventure love story at its heart.”
— Tyler Gillett, Director
With Fraser coming off his recent Oscar win and the 1999 original currently trending on streaming platforms, the timing for the O’Connells’ return couldn’t be better. Though no official plot details have been revealed, rumors suggest the story may move the setting to the South American Andes, exploring a different culture’s ancient myths.
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