The Mummy 4: It's not just Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz who are returning

"The Mummy 4" continues to take shape. Alongside Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, John Hannah will also be returning, it has now been announced. In the new "Mummy" film, Hannah will once again be seen as Jonathan Carnahan, reports The Hollywood Reporter.

In the original 1999 film, Rick O'Connell, played by Brendan Fraser, takes center stage. In the 1920s, the adventurer travels to Egypt with librarian Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) and her thieving brother Jonathan Carnahan (John Hannah). There they inadvertently awaken the cursed high priest Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo). What the fourth "Mummy" film will be about has not yet been revealed. However, Fraser, Weisz and Hannah will once again play their former roles in the sequel. While Fraser and Hannah were seen in all three parts of the "Mummy" series, Weisz did not appear in the third film. Maria Bello played the role of Evelyn instead.

New directors for the fourth Mummy film

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are directing the new installment of the film series. The two are known for the 2019 horror film "Ready or Not", which they are continuing this year with a second part. They also have experience in reviving an existing franchise. In 2022 and 2023, the duo directed the fifth and sixth installments of the "Scream" film series. The screenplay for "The Mummy 4" was written by David Coggeshall, who also wrote the script for the 2022 horror film "Orphan: First Kill". The release date has already been set, but we'll have to wait a while to see the sequel starring Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and John Hannah: The theatrical release of the new "Mummy" film is scheduled for May 19, 2028.

Almost 18 years have passed since the third installment of the series was released. It remains to be seen whether "The Mummy 4" can build on the box office results of the past. In 1999, the first part by director and screenwriter Stephen Sommers proved to be a considerable hit. The film grossed 417 million US dollars at the global box office. In view of its success, the sequel "The Mummy Returns" followed in 2001, again written and directed by Sommers. This time the box office takings amounted to 433 million. Just one year later, the spin-off "The Scorpion King" was released with Dwayne Johnson aka "The Rock" in the leading role. Sommers was again involved in the screenplay, but Chuck Russell directed. At 178 million, the takings were significantly lower than those of the previous films.

The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor seems to be ignored

2008 saw the release of "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor", the final installment in the film series to date. This time, the action took place in China. It was directed by Rob Cohen and the screenplay was written by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar. The sequel raked in 403 million at the box office. However, "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor", in which Rachel Weisz was replaced by Maria Bello, seems to play a subordinate role for the new directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. They only recently indicated that they do not consider the film to be part of the "Mummy" canon.

Mummy star Brendan Fraser: "I've been waiting 20 years for this call"

Lead actor Brendan Fraser, for his part, spoke to the Associated Press about "The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" and the planned sequel last November. The actor emphasized:

"I'm proud of the third one because I think it's a good standalone movie. We picked up and did what we do with a different crew on deck and gave it our best shot. But the one I wanted to make is forthcoming. And I've been waiting 20 years for this call."

According to Fraser, it is now "time to give the fans what they want." We can only hope that the fans are happy with the result when Rick O'Connell returns to the big screen after so many years.