The Dark Universe may be deadbut the Mummy is eternal; Thus, the series should return not as a reboot, but as a continuation of the first two films by Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence, responsible for films such as Ready or Not, Scream (2022) and Scream 6will direct the film, according to Hollywood Reporter. THR's sources indicate that the new project is a sequel, not a reboot, and will not include a third film (The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor), which starred Fraser, Maria Bello (replacing Weiss), Jet Li and Luke Ford as Rick and Evelyn's son. Sean Daniel, who produced the original films with his late partner James Jacks, returns as producer.
Directed and co-written by Stephen Sommers, 1999 Mummy gave the classic Universal Monsters line an Indiana Jones twist, mixing action, adventure, comedy, romance and horror. Set in the 1920s, Fraser plays treasure hunter Rick O'Connell who teams up with Weiss's librarian Evelyn O'Connell in Egypt, where they accidentally awaken a cursed high priest.
Earning more than $422 million worldwide, the film launched a major Universal franchise and established Fraser as a leading figure. It spawned two sequels and a prequel (Scorpio King starring a young Dwayne Johnson), animated series and popular attraction at Universal Studios.
Although the pair are only in talks, the film would not have been possible without Fraser's Oscar-winning performance in Darren Aronofsky's film. Whale (2022) did not revive his career. Meanwhile, Weiss has since appeared in the MCU as Melina Vostokoff in Black Widow.
Mummy (2017), starring Tom Cruise, was panned by critics upon release. Our review called it “clichéd one-liners, jumbled storytelling and a lack of uniqueness”, ultimately calling it “utterly unforgettable”. The film earned just over $400 million worldwide, well below Universal's expectations, according to THR. We hope that with this new installment, Universal is aiming for a grounded return to form, relying on the franchise's longtime fan base rather than lofty box office projections.
