Universal Pictures is reviving The Mummy franchise with a direct sequel to the beloved Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz films, marking the first true continuation of the 1999 and 2001 entries rather than another reboot. The new project, currently in development, will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the filmmaking duo behind Ready or Not, Scream (2022), and Scream VI.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the upcoming installment will ignore The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor(2008) and instead follow the narrative path established by Stephen Sommers’ original two films. Producer Sean Daniel, who helped shape the franchise’s first outings alongside the late James Jacks, will return to oversee the new production.
The 1999 The Mummy reimagined Universal’s classic monster property through an adventurous, pulp-inspired lens. Mixing elements of action, romance, and horror, it starred Fraser as daring explorer Rick O’Connell and Weisz as archaeologist Evelyn Carnahan, who together accidentally awaken the cursed priest Imhotep in 1920s Egypt. The film became a box-office success, grossing over $422 million worldwide and spawning sequels, spinoffs like The Scorpion King, an animated series, and a long-running Universal Studios theme park attraction.
While neither Fraser nor Weisz has been officially confirmed, reports suggest that both are in discussions to reprise their roles. Fraser’s recent Oscar win for The Whale (2022) reignited industry interest in his career, making his return particularly timely. Weisz, who last appeared in Marvel’s Black Widow (2021), has continued to maintain a strong presence in both film and television.
The decision to continue the original storyline rather than pursue another reboot may signal a shift in Universal’s approach to its monster catalog. The studio’s attempt to launch a shared “Dark Universe” with 2017’s The Mummy, starring Tom Cruise, fell short both critically and commercially, with reviews citing an unfocused tone and lack of identity.
By returning to the adventurous spirit and character-driven storytelling that defined the first two films, Universal appears intent on recapturing what made The Mummy a late-’90s phenomenon. If successful, the sequel could reestablish the franchise as a modern adventure series built on nostalgia, humor, and practical spectacle—qualities that remain in short supply in contemporary blockbuster filmmaking.
