Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Set to Return to Their Iconic Roles in The Mummy Sequel — 26 Years After the Original
The sands of ancient Egypt may soon swirl once again, and for fans of the beloved 1999 blockbuster The Mummy, the news feels like both a resurrection and a homecoming. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, the duo who turned a supernatural adventure into a worldwide phenomenon, are reportedly in talks to reunite for a brand-new sequel — marking 26 years since audiences first fell in love with Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan.
According to Deadline and The Hollywood Reporter, the actors are in early discussions with Universal Pictures to reprise their roles in a new installment that would bring the Mummy franchise back to life in the hands of a new creative team. The film, which remains untitled, would be produced under the studio’s ongoing effort to reimagine its classic monster properties while respecting the tone and legacy that made the originals timeless.
It’s a move that already has Hollywood and the internet buzzing. Fraser, who won his first Academy Award in 2023 for his emotional performance in The Whale, has experienced a remarkable career renaissance after years away from the spotlight. Weisz, an Oscar winner herself for The Constant Gardener, continues to enjoy steady acclaim in both film and television, most recently for her dual role in Prime Video’s Dead Ringers. Seeing the two share the screen again is not just a nostalgic idea — it’s a cinematic event decades in the making.
The 1999 Mummy — directed by Stephen Sommers — became an instant hit upon release, grossing more than $415 million worldwide and establishing itself as one of the most entertaining action-adventure films of its era. It mixed Indiana Jones-style thrills with supernatural mystery, romance, and humour — and at its heart was the irresistible chemistry between Fraser’s rugged adventurer and Weisz’s brilliant but clumsy Egyptologist. That chemistry continued in The Mummy Returns (2001), which earned even more money and turned the pair into one of Hollywood’s favourite on-screen couples.
Over two decades later, those movies are still loved not for their visual effects — which, by modern standards, feel charmingly old-school — but for their sense of fun and the palpable joy in their performances. Fans have spent years asking Universal to revive the franchise properly after a series of missteps, including 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, which replaced Weisz with Maria Bello, and the 2017 Tom Cruise reboot that attempted to launch a “Dark Universe” but collapsed after one film.
The new project reportedly seeks to reset the tone — not a reboot, but a true continuation of the O’Connell saga. According to early discussions cited by insiders, the story could pick up many years after the events of The Mummy Returns, exploring what became of Rick and Evelyn as older adventurers who are pulled back into danger after decades of peace. It would balance action and humour with themes of rediscovery, legacy, and time — an approach that mirrors Hollywood’s broader fascination with legacy sequels like Top Gun: Maverick and Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny.
For Brendan Fraser, the opportunity to return to the role that helped define his career carries emotional weight. In a 2022 interview, he expressed openness to returning, saying, “I’d absolutely consider it — I know how much people love those films, and that means a lot to me.” At the time, Fraser also credited director Stephen Sommers for creating a tone that balanced fear with fun. “It wasn’t supposed to be horror,” he said. “It was an adventure — and people forget how much heart those movies had.”
Rachel Weisz, too, has often spoken fondly of her time on set, though she stepped away from the third installment to focus on raising her family and pursuing more grounded dramatic work. Her potential return after such a long absence would be monumental for longtime fans, many of whom still cite her performance as one of the best examples of a strong female lead in late-’90s action cinema — intelligent, brave, and refreshingly human.
Behind the scenes, Universal Pictures has reportedly tapped directing duo Matt Bettinelli-Oplin and Tyler Gillett — known for their work on Scream VI and Ready or Not — to helm the new film. The pair are considered among the most promising filmmakers in modern genre storytelling, with a knack for blending suspense, humour, and emotion. Sources close to the production suggest that their involvement is part of a larger effort to recapture the energy that made the original films stand out while modernising the tone for contemporary audiences.
The decision to reunite the original stars is also part of a broader industry trend where nostalgia drives box-office success. From Ghostbusters: Afterlife to Jurassic World Dominion, legacy sequels are proving that audiences crave the familiar faces that shaped their cinematic memories — especially when those faces return with renewed purpose. For The Mummy, it’s not just about revisiting a brand but about celebrating the enduring appeal of its central characters.
Social media reaction to the reports has been explosive. Within hours of the news breaking, hashtags like #TheMummy and #BrendanAndRachel were trending worldwide. Fans shared favourite clips from the original films, praised Fraser’s comeback, and expressed excitement at Weisz’s long-awaited return. “This is the only reboot I’ll accept,” one fan tweeted, while another wrote, “Rick and Evie raised me — it’s about time they came back.”
Industry analysts agree that the timing is ideal. Adventure franchises are resurging, yet few carry the mix of warmth, wit, and wonder that The Mummy embodies. Universal has long sought to revitalise its monster catalogue, but earlier attempts focused too heavily on horror and spectacle. With Fraser and Weisz, the studio has a chance to remind audiences of what made its 1999 film a classic — that adventurous spirit that balanced romance, danger, and mythology.
While details remain scarce, insiders claim that early script drafts draw inspiration from untold Egyptian myths and archaeological mysteries that could reintroduce audiences to a world of ancient curses and daring expeditions. The film will likely lean into practical sets, real desert landscapes, and a return to the sense of scale that made the originals feel epic.
The original Mummy trilogy holds a unique place in pop culture. It inspired video games, theme-park rides, and even a dedicated fandom that continues to thrive through conventions and online communities. Its influence on modern adventure filmmaking can still be seen in everything from Uncharted to Tomb Raider. What set it apart, however, was its heart — the human relationships beneath the action. As Fraser once said, “Rick and Evie were more than just heroes — they were partners. That’s why people still care about them.”
If the project moves forward as planned, production could begin as early as late 2025, with Universal eyeing a 2027 release. Both Fraser and Weisz are reportedly reviewing schedules and creative outlines before officially signing on. Sources familiar with the negotiations describe the tone of the discussions as “enthusiastic and optimistic,” suggesting that all parties are keen to make the reunion happen under the right circumstances.
For longtime fans, this moment feels like a culmination of hope. Fraser’s triumphant return to Hollywood — from his critical exile to his Oscar-winning redemption — mirrors Rick O’Connell’s own journey: beaten, bruised, but never broken. Weisz’s return, meanwhile, represents elegance and strength — the balance of intellect and courage that made Evelyn a beloved icon of her era.
In an age of sequels and reboots, few announcements manage to unite fans in collective excitement, but The Mummy seems to have done just that. If the studio succeeds in reuniting its stars and rediscovering that sense of adventure that made 1999 magical, audiences may once again find themselves swept away in the dunes of history — where love, danger, and destiny collide beneath the golden sun.
And if Rick and Evelyn truly do ride again, it won’t just be another sequel. It will be a return — not only to the world of The Mummy, but to the joy of old-school movie magic.
