It’s no secret that The Mummy holds a special place in Universal’s monster movie hall of fame. However, Lee Cronin, behind Evil Dead Rise, is now stepping up to reimagine the franchise. And fans are excited. Recent casting announcements have genuinely set the internet abuzz with excitement.
Three new talents have joined the ensemble for Cronin’s take on The Mummy: May Calamawy, May Elghety, and Veronica Falcón. These actors join previously announced stars Jack Reynor and Laia Costa. But it was the inclusion of Calamawy and Elghety that caught the attention of fans online. And for good reason – both actresses are of Egyptian heritage. Calamawy is of Egyptian and Palestinian descent, while Elghety is Egyptian.
Many consider the 1999 Mummy film a classic. Some view it as a misrepresentation of Egyptian culture. Cronin’s film aims to fix that. While specific plot details for Cronin’s reboot remain tightly under wraps, the casting of Egyptian actors has sparked a wave of positive reactions online.
One enthusiastic user on X (Twitter) wrote, “Finally, they noticed that they could hire Egyptians to present Egyptian culture.” Another echoed this sentiment, saying, “May Calamawy is Egyptian-Palestinian and May Elghety is Egyptian, Lee Cronin I was not familiar with your game. A Mummy remake with an actually Egyptian cast??? Thank GOD.”
The casting of May Calamawy has been met with widespread approval. She made a significant impact with her role in the Disney+ series “Moon Knight” as Layla El-Faouly/Scarlet Scarab, marking a milestone as the MCU’s first Egyptian and Arab superhero. While her scenes were reportedly cut from the upcoming Gladiator II, fans have eagerly anticipated her next prominent role. The Mummy seems like a fantastic opportunity for her to shine. May Elghety has also built a strong reputation through her work in Egyptian film and television, including a role in the critically acclaimed film Clash, which was selected for the Cannes Film Festival.
With Lee Cronin‘s proven talent for delivering intense horror and the exciting addition of a cast that includes Egyptian actors, anticipation for this new take on The Mummy is steadily building. While the film is currently in production in Ireland and Spain and slated for release on April 17, 2026, the early buzz surrounding the casting suggests that Cronin’s vision might offer a more culturally sensitive and authentic portrayal of the iconic story.
