(L to R) Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in ‘The Mummy.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
Preview:
- A new entry in ‘The Mummy’ franchise is in development.
- Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are in talks to return to their roles.
- Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will direct for Universal.
Back in 1999, Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz delivered a great on-screen partnership as dashing, roguish hero Rick O’Connell and practical English Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan for ‘The Mummy.’
Fraser returned for two sequels and Weisz for one (more on that below), but since then, fans have wanted to know if they might both be back, given their winning chemistry.
“The sands will rise. The heavens will part. The power will be unleashed.”
Release Date: May 7, 1999
Run Time: 2 hr 4 min
Budget: $80,000,000
Good news! Per The Hollywood Reporter, Fraser and Weisz are now in talks to return for a third joint outing, this time under the directorial control of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the filmmaking duo part of the Radio Silence collective, who made ‘Ready or Not’ and two of the recent ‘Scream’ movies.
Related Article: ‘Evil Dead Rise’ Director Lee Cronin to Make New ‘Mummy’ Movie
What’s the story of ‘The Mummy’?
Brendan Fraser in ‘The Mummy.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
The original movie, directed by Stephen Sommers, became a big hit, spawning a sequel, 2001’s ‘The Mummy Returns,’ which also represented a big acting break for Dwayne Johnson.
While Fraser returned for 2008’s less-embraced ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,’Maria Bello replaced Weisz and Rob Cohen took over directing.
Things went dormant after that (aside from an ill-fated attempt to launch a Classic Monsters Cinematic Universe with the Tom Cruisereboot in 2017, and more recent reports of ‘Evil Dead Rise’s Lee Cronin developing a new take), but the signs and portents are pointing to a return for the original duo.
As for the new movie, it’ll have a script from David Coggeshall (‘The Family Plan’) and while details are mostly being kept in a sarcophagus, the Reporter’s sources are suggesting that it’ll be a sequel that wipes away the events of ‘Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.’ Okay by us!
Where else can we see Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz?
(L to R) Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in ‘The Mummy.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
Fraser won an Oscar for 2022’s ‘The Whale’ and will next be seen in heartwarming drama ‘Rental Family,’ which lands in theaters on November 21.
Weisz has recently been seen in the likes of TV’s ‘Dead Ringers’ and Marvel’s ‘Black Widow.’ Coming up, she has TV drama Vladimir (about a woman who becomes obsessed with a coworker) and is aboard new movie ‘Séance on a Wet Afternoon.’
When will the new ‘Mummy’ movie arrive in theaters?
Universal has yet to indicate when this one might make it to screens. But we can’t imagine it before 2027.
(L to R) Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in ‘The Mummy.’ Photo: Universal Pictures.
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