5 Minutes
The Mummy franchise rises again — with familiar faces
Universal Pictures is digging back into its dusty archive: Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are in negotiations to return to The Mummy universe for a new direct sequel. The project is being shaped by Radio Silence, the filmmaking duo of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, best known for reviving the Scream franchise and for the cult hit Ready or Not.
What we know so far
Sources close to the production say this new film is not a full reboot but a continuation — a legacy sequel that accepts the 1999 original while choosing to bypass the third installment. That approach follows a growing Hollywood trend: studios prefer “legacy sequels” that bring back original stars and tap into nostalgia rather than erase past entries entirely.
The screenplay has been reported to be written by David Coggeshall, and producers include Sean Daniel (producer of the original trilogy), alongside William Sherak, James Vanderbilt and Paul Neinstein from Project X Entertainment. Project X already collaborated with Radio Silence on Scream 5/6 and the horror Abigail, so this partnership feels like a natural fit for Universal’s plan to honor the original tone while updating the franchise for modern audiences.
Why Brendan Fraser’s return matters
Fraser’s Rick O’Connell became a defining action-hero of the late 1990s and early 2000s after The Mummy’s blockbuster success. The original film — a high-spirited fusion of adventure, romance and supernatural horror reminiscent of Indiana Jones — grossed more than $422 million worldwide and spawned sequels, a Scorpion King spin-off starring Dwayne Johnson, a cartoon series and even a theme-park attraction.
After a long period away from leading roles, Fraser reemerged with critical acclaim in The Whale (2022), for which he won the Academy Award for Best Actor. Industry chatter says Universal quietly started early talks with Fraser as his profile surged again, making this a timely return.
Rachel Weisz and legacy casting
Rachel Weisz, who appeared in the first two Mummy films, is also reportedly in talks. Her involvement would bring emotional continuity to a sequel that aims to reconnect with the chemistry and tone that made the franchise beloved. (Fun trivia: in The Mummy Returns, Maria Bello replaced Weisz and Luke Ford played the son of the original leads.)
Radio Silence’s horror pedigree and expectations
Radio Silence transformed Ready or Not into a darkly comic cult favorite and then breathed new life into Scream. Their style — blending self-aware humor, precise genre craft, and character-driven stakes — suggests the new Mummy could balance scares and adventure rather than lean purely into blockbuster spectacle.
Film historian Anna Kovacs offers a quick take: "Bringing back Fraser and Weisz under Radio Silence is a smart balance of reverence and reinvention. It could restore the franchise's adventurous heart while updating its scares for today's audiences."
Context: legacy sequels and franchise strategy
This is part of a broader industry pattern where studios mine recognizable IP with legacy returns (examples: Top Gun: Maverick, Halloween Kills, and Ghostbusters: Afterlife). Those films aim to draw older fans while courting a new generation. Universal’s decision to bypass the events of the third film signals they want to keep what worked and discard elements that muddied the series’ core identity.
Radio Silence is currently at work on Ready or Not 2: Here I Come (set for April 2026), and Universal has previously trusted them with Abigail — demonstrating a strong working relationship. Universal has not yet issued an official statement about casting or production timeline.
What to watch for next
Keep an eye on formal announcements from Universal, confirmation of the full cast and whether the creative team will revisit the 1920s adventuring roots or modernize the setting. Brendan Fraser’s upcoming Searchlight release Rental Family and Rachel Weisz’s recent turn in Dead Ringers and Marvel’s Black Widow mean both stars are active — a good sign for scheduling.
This revival could be a major moment for nostalgic blockbuster filmmaking if it honors the original’s adventurous spirit while offering fresh scares and character depth. Time will tell whether The Mummy can once again awaken—and this time, stay alive in the public imagination.
Comments
atomwave
Wow, Brendan back?? If Fraser and Weisz sign on, i'll be there opening night. Radio Silence could be fun, but pls no bloated CGI, give us adventure and heart. also why skip part 3? weird choice
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