The Mummy 4

We've had to wait more than 25 years: Rick and Evelyn O'Connell are returning to the big screen together! Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are back in front of the camera together to continue the iconic adventure series "The Mummy". Many of us grew up with the classics from 1999 and 2001. But this long-awaited sequel isn't just about nostalgia: The filmmakers have also made an extremely bold decision that will have major consequences for the franchise.

In this article, we'll bring you up to speed on "The Mummy 4": Who's returning, who's missing, what plot details are already known, and when will it hit theaters? We'll also give you our honest take on whether or not we're looking forward to the new Mummy adventure. Enjoy our new KinoCheck movie preview!

The Mummy: Book of the Dead

First things first: The official title of the movie has finally been announced! It's "The Mummy: Book of the Dead". This title immediately draws a connection to the original films – after all, the Book of the Dead was a key element of the story in Parts 1 and 2. It was used to bring Imhotep and his beloved back to life from the dead. If the new film is named after it, there's obviously a strong connection. So we probably won't be taking a trip to a completely new setting, as was the case in the third film. The only question is: Who will be resurrected with the help of the book this time? Familiar characters – or someone completely new?

Of course, this is all just speculation at this point. But one thing is certain: The new title is likely to reassure many who, above all, want to immerse themselves once again in the same world of adventure from back then.

Fraser and Weisz: The Dream Team Is Back

Hollywood has tried time and again in recent years to revive the franchise. A modern blockbuster version starring Tom Cruise turned out to be a spectacular flop. Lee Cronin's horror film also received mixed reviews. One thing is clear: the old heroes must return!

This is especially true for audience favorite Brendan Fraser. After his major successes, the actor had almost completely disappeared from the scene due to various setbacks, but made his big comeback – at the latest – with his Oscar win for "The Whale" in 2022. He had gained a significant amount of weight for that role – but for "The Mummy", the 57-year-old has now gotten himself back into top shape. The actor revealed in interviews that he had been waiting forever for the call about this movie.

But Brendan Fraser isn't the only secret to the franchise's success. We say: The heart of the entire series lies in his chemistry with co-star Rachel Weisz. Much of the warmth – but also the humor – comes from the interplay between these two iconic characters. The filmmakers behind the new movie understood this as well, which is why they made a difficult decision.

A Radical Cut: Why Part 3 No Longer Exists

One of the most exciting revelations surrounding "The Mummy 4" concerns the continuity of the series. That's because the third installment, "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" from 2008, is simply being ignored for the sequel. In that film, the role of Evelyn was played by Maria Bello, since Rachel Weisz had no interest in the film's story at the time. Perhaps she had the right instinct: The reviews were quite negative, even though the film was as successful at the box office as its predecessors.

For the makers of Part 4, one thing is clear: pick up right where Stephen Sommers' Parts 1 and 2 left off. A true legacy sequel, in other words. Brendan Fraser, however, spoke conciliatorily about the last film. He explained that he was proud of the team from back then. But the new film will be exactly what fans have been waiting for all these years.

Aside from the third installment being removed from the canon, there's no information yet on the plot of "The Mummy 4". Filming, however, is taking place partly on the streets of London.

The Cast: A Reunion with Old Friends

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are by no means the only returning cast members from the original films. John Hannah, another essential part of the series, is back on board. He's reprising his role as the chaotic and charming Jonathan Carnahan, who provided plenty of laughs in the first films. But that's not all: Oded Fehr is also returning as Ardeth Bay. His character always lent the series a mystical depth and delivered outstanding action scenes.

However, it's a completely different casting decision that's causing a huge stir among fans: Kevin J. O'Connor is also set to return as Beni Gabor. Anyone who remembers the first film from 1999 knows that Beni was ambushed by flesh-eating scarabs back then and met a tragic end. How his character will be brought back is currently still under wraps. The obvious assumption, of course, is that he has magically become one of the living dead. Fans know, of course: Death is only the beginning.

In addition to the returning cast members, there are, of course, some new faces. Among them is "Obsession" star Michael Johnston in a role that has yet to be revealed. A little speculation on our part: His age today would roughly match that of Rick and Evelyn's son – at any rate, much better than it did in "The Tomb of the Dragon Emperor": Back then, the role was played by 27-year-old Luke Ford. As a reminder: Seven years earlier, their son was just 8 years old.

We're curious to see how the balance between old and new cast members will ultimately play out: Based on the currently known cast, however, the film will primarily revolve around the characters from Parts 1 and 2. Incidentally, Arnold Vosloo's return has not yet been confirmed, even though there's a lot of speculation about it. John Hannah had hinted in interviews that there were talks with the actor who plays Imhotep. However, the actor has in the past expressed a rather negative view of a possible involvement.

A Directorial Duo: Meet the Filmmakers

Two people are taking the director's chair: the proven duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, also known as Radio Silence. Their previous films include "Ready or Not", "Abigail", and the successful sequels "Scream 5" and "Scream 6". The latter two films, in particular, demonstrate their ability to blend nostalgia with a modern sensibility. These examples also show that the duo can blend horror, humor, and action – exactly what "The Mummy" needs.

At the same time, the two emphasize that David Coggeshall's screenplay is full of heart and strong characters – which brings us back to the two lead actors. We're certain: Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz wouldn't have signed on if the story hadn't convinced them across the board. Rachel Weisz, in particular, has already proven that she's happy to pass on a mega-franchise in this case.

Release Date Moved Up: Theatrical Release of The Mummy 4

Filming is already in full swing, and there's fantastic news regarding the theatrical release as well. Universal Pictures has significantly moved up the original schedule. The film was originally slated for release in May 2028. But the studio swapped release dates with the action project "Miami Vice '85".

For you, this means: "The Mummy 4" is hitting theaters about seven months earlier than expected! The official theatrical release is now scheduled for October 15, 2027. This decision clearly demonstrates the studio's confidence in the production. Work is progressing rapidly, and fall 2027 is set to be all about big-budget adventure films.

Our Take

Our take: We're really looking forward to the movie! The story doesn't need to offer anything groundbreakingly new – we just want a good, old-fashioned adventure with likable heroes, creepy villains, and plenty of atmosphere. The return of the tried-and-true cast is already half the battle. And their confidence in the screenplay also gives us reason to be optimistic. The directing duo has already delivered a few entertaining films with a similar vibe – so there shouldn't be any unpleasant surprises here either. Radio Silence has also shown with "Scream" that they can respect a franchise's legacy without simply copying it.

At the same time, we can't ignore the challenges. If there are new elements, will they be convincing? Will the older actors still pull off the action? And will the visual effects deliver? We shudder to think back on that lousy Scorpion King from Part 2! Good effects take time – hopefully, the early release won't turn out to be a mistake in the end! We think the potential is there. But there's no guarantee of a great movie experience.