Four years after escaping his Hollywood hiatus, Brendan Fraser is getting ready to dust off his guns. Rumors suggest Universal Pictures is actively developing a new sequel to The Mummy franchise. And get this, there is a key stipulation that Fraser reprises his iconic lead role, MSN reports.
The potential return of the actor, who anchored the original successful trilogy, has generated immediate excitement. Fans have long hoped for a continuation of the beloved action-adventure series.
According to a new report from insider Daniel Richtman, Universal has put a sequel, The Mummy 4, into development. While the news confirms that the studio is working on bringing the franchise back to life with its original star, details beyond Fraser’s involvement are scarce.
It is currently unknown whether other key cast members from the 1999 original and its sequels, such as Rachel Weisz or John Hannah, would also be approached for a comeback. However, we hope to see them reunite.
The franchise originated with the 1999 blockbuster The Mummy, directed by Stephen Sommers. The film served as a loose remake of the 1932 Universal Classic Monster film. It cemented Brendan Fraser as the swashbuckling hero, Rick O’Connell.
That film’s success launched an entire cinematic world, including two direct sequels, The Mummy Returns (2001) and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), the latter of which was the last time Fraser starred in the main series. The franchise also saw Dwayne Johnson play The Scorpion King.
In 2017, Universal attempted a major reboot starring Tom Cruise. The movie was intended to launch an interconnected “Dark Universe” of monsters. However, the reboot was a critical and commercial disappointment, reportedly losing between $60 million and $95 million and effectively killing the studio’s ambitious plans.
The reported effort to secure Fraser for a fourth installment suggests that Universal may be abandoning the serious monster-movie tone of the reboot. Instead, it will return to the successful, lighthearted, and action-packed formula that made the original 1999 film a cultural phenomenon. And we are totally here for it. As soon as more details surface, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, you can watch The Mummy and The Mummy Returns on Prime Video and Apple TV+.
