The Mummy 4: Arnold Vosloo announces Imhotep's return in Book of the Dead

There's another comeback in store for the fourth installment of "The Mummy": Arnold Vosloo has now announced that he will return in the role of Imhotep. He joins several other stars from the earlier films who are also back on board. Among others, we'll also see Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, and John Hannah again in "The Mummy: Book of the Dead, " as has been known for some time.

On the Danger Close podcast, Vosloo reveals in a conversation with author Jack Carr that his return as Imhotep in "The Mummy 4" is a done deal. Vosloo recently appeared in the second season of the thriller series "The Terminal List," which is based on Carr's novel series of the same name. During the conversation, he explains about the new "Mummy" movie:

"I can report now. I just signed my deal. We are doing another 'Mummy'. Brendan and them are shooting now in London. And the character Imhotep is back, that I play. I'll be going there in November. [...] It's the first time I've admitted, that I'm back in the next 'Mummy'."

Vosloo emphasizes how popular the film series still is and that he has already read the "very good" script. As for Imhotep, he reveals only that the character will be brought back to life. The Book of the Dead is likely to play a role in this – as was recently announced, the original title of the new film is "The Mummy: Book of the Dead." Vosloo also reveals:

"They're gonna make me look like I did when I was 38 years old, when I made the first one."

We'll learn more by the time the new film is released, at the latest. But we'll have to be patient: "The Mummy 4" hits theaters on October 15, 2027.

New directors for Part 4

It's been 27 years since the first installment of the "Mummy" series. In the original film by director and screenwriter Stephen Sommers, Brendan Fraser plays the adventurer Rick O'Connell. In the 1920s, Rick travels to Egypt with librarian Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) and her brother Jonathan Carnahan (John Hannah). There, they accidentally bring the cursed high priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) back to life. Alongside Vosloo, the stars Fraser, Weisz, and Hannah will also reprise their original roles in the fourth installment. Oded Fehr and Kevin J. O'Connor are also returning from the original cast.

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are directing the fourth "Mummy" film. The duo is best known for the 2019 horror film "Ready or Not," which they followed up with a sequel this year. They also directed the fifth and sixth installments of the "Scream" film series. The screenplay for "The Mummy 4" was written by David Coggeshall, who also penned the script for the horror film "Orphan: First Kill," among others.

Minor role

Following the 2001 sequel "The Mummy Returns," which was once again written and directed by Stephen Sommers, "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" was released in 2008 as the latest installment in the film series to date. This time, the story was set in China. Rob Cohen took over directing duties from Sommers. The screenplay was written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. There was also a major change in the cast: Rachel Weisz did not return for the third film. Instead, Maria Bello played the role of Evelyn.

However, "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" appears to play a minor role for the new directors, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. Months ago, they hinted that they do not consider the film to be part of the "Mummy" canon.