Brendan Fraser has been pictured filming the fourth instalment of The Mummy franchise, marking his return as Rick O'Connell after nearly two decades. The 57-year-old actor was spotted shooting scenes in Suffolk on Monday, wearing the character's signature brown leather jacket, gloves, and trousers, and covered in what appeared to be soot.
Action sequence at a former military base
The Oscar winner appeared to be filming an action sequence involving an enormous rocket-like vehicle, with a former military base transformed into the fictional Daubach Air Base. According to The Daily Mail, the base has been turned into a speed track, where Rick appears to be attempting to set a record in a silver, blue and red vehicle emblazoned with 'Great Britain Speed Shop'. American and British flags on its tail seemed to nod to Rick's transatlantic credentials.
Fraser was seen climbing behind the wheel, although a stunt double was also brought in for the rather more hair-raising portions of filming. The vehicle was later seen tearing along the runway past a cheering crowd while leaving an enormous plume of smoke behind it.
Returning cast and new direction
The new film marks Fraser's first appearance in the franchise since 2008's The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, but the forthcoming sequel is reportedly choosing to pretend that particular adventure never happened. Instead, the story will pick up decades after 2001's The Mummy Returns.
Rachel Weisz, 56, is also returning as Evelyn Carnahan, having played the librarian-turned-adventurer in the original 1999 blockbuster and its 2001 sequel before Maria Bello took over the role for the third film. Her involvement was confirmed after she was spotted filming outside the British Museum in London just days before Fraser emerged in Suffolk.
John Hannah is returning as Evelyn's brother Jonathan, while Arnold Vosloo, who played Imhotep in the first two films, is also reportedly back. Kevin J. O'Connor will also return despite his character Beni meeting a definitive end involving a swarm of flesh-eating scarabs in the original movie.
Release date and Fraser's career resurgence
Plot details otherwise remain tightly under wraps. This time around, directing duties have gone to Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the filmmaking duo behind Ready or Not and the fifth and sixth Scream films.
For Fraser, returning to one of his most beloved roles comes amid a career resurgence. After years largely away from major leading roles, he made a celebrated comeback that culminated in a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in 2022 drama The Whale. More recently, he has appeared in Rental Family and Second World War drama Pressure, playing Dwight D. Eisenhower opposite Andrew Scott.
The currently untitled Mummy sequel is due to hit cinemas on October 15, 2027.
