Oscar-winning actor Brendan Fraser has sent fans into a frenzy by hinting that a long-awaited sequel to his beloved action franchise, The Mummy, could finally be on the horizon. The 57-year-old star suggested he may soon strap on the holster once more to play adventurer Rick O'Connell.
Fraser 'Hopeful' for Sequel News
In a recent interview with the Radio Times, Fraser was cautiously optimistic about returning to the world of ancient curses and high-stakes adventure. While remaining tight-lipped on specific details, the star of The Whale and George of the Jungle stated he was "hopeful" that he would "have good news soon", citing the series' enduring global popularity.
He added a cryptic note for fans, saying, "Let's all keep our fingers crossed and light a candle." Reflecting on the iconic role that launched him to fame over 25 years ago, Fraser confirmed he would "absolutely" be keen to step back into that world. He admitted he always liked the idea of a return and "always will", though he conceded that the final decision rests with the studios, saying, "it's not up to me to pull that trigger."
Talks of a Reunion with Rachel Weisz
Fraser's comments follow unconfirmed reports from late last year, initially published by Deadline, which suggested that both he and his original co-star Rachel Weisz were in talks to return for a fourth instalment. According to the outlet, the directing duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence are lined up to helm the project.
The script is reportedly being penned by David Coggeshall, with franchise veteran Sean Daniel producing alongside William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment. This team previously collaborated on the recent Scream franchise revival.
A Franchise Legacy and a Failed Reboot
The original The Mummy film, released in 1999 and co-starring Weisz and John Hannah, was the highest-grossing film of that year. It spawned two direct sequels: The Mummy Returns in 2001 and The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in 2008. A fourth film would mark the first on-screen reunion for Fraser and Weisz since the 2001 sequel.
The franchise's success also led to a spin-off, The Scorpion King, starring Dwayne Johnson, and popular theme park attractions. A 2017 attempt to reboot the series with Tom Cruise was met with poor critical reception, despite reasonable box office returns, and ultimately shelved Universal's planned 'Dark Universe'.
Fraser made these tantalising comments while promoting his new film, Rental Family, in which he plays an actor hired by a Japanese family. The concept explores a real-life practice that has existed in Japan since the 1980s.
