The Mummy returns… again!

The Dark Universe may be dead, but The Mummy is eternal; as such, the film series is set to return, not as a reboot, but as a sequel to Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz’s first two films.

Radio Silence’s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, responsible for films such as Ready or Not, Scream (2022), and Scream 6, will direct the movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. THR’s sources indicate that the new project is a sequel, not a reboot, and will disregard the third film (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor) which starred Fraser, Maria Bello (stepping in for Weisz), Jet Li, and Luke Ford as Rick and Evelyn’s son. Sean Daniel, who produced the original movies with his late partner James Jacks, is back as producer.

Directed and co-written by Stephen Sommers, 1999’s The Mummy gave the classic Universal Monsters line an Indiana Jones twist, blending action, adventure, comedy, romance, and horror. Set in the 1920s, it followed Fraser as treasure hunter Rick O’Connell, who teams up with Weisz’s librarian Evelyn O’Connell in Egypt, where they accidentally awaken a cursed high priest.

Earning over $422 million worldwide, the film launched a major Universal franchise and made Fraser a leading man. It spawned two sequels, a prequel (The Scorpion King starring a young Dwayne Johnson), an animated series, and a popular Universal Studios ride.

Although the pair are just in talks, the film wouldn’t be possible if Fraser’s Oscar-winning role in Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale (2022) didn’t reignite his career. Meanwhile, Weisz has since appeared in the MCU as Melina Vostokoff in Black Widow.

The Mummy (2017), starring Tom Cruise, was widely panned by critics upon release. Our review called out its “cliched one-liners, messy narrative, and lack of uniqueness,” ultimately labeling it “absolutely forgettable.” The film earned just over $400 million worldwide, far below Universal’s expectations, according to THR. With this new installment, hopefully Universal aims for a grounded return to form, relying on the franchise’s long-standing fan base rather than inflated box office projections.