In news that raised the hearts and spirits of millennials everywhere, The Mummy is getting a new instalment. And its stars are set to return.
Oscar winners Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz will once again reprise their roles of Rick O’Connell and Evelyn ‘Evie’ O’Connell. They are adventurers and archaeologists who become embroiled in a tantalising plot involving resurrecting mummies, dastardly villains, and a fair amount of bloodshed in Egypt.
Here’s everything we know about The Mummy 4.
What is The Mummy film franchise about?
The Mummy (1999)
The first film in the franchise was The Mummy in 1999. It followed adventurer and treasure hunter Rick O’Connell (played by Brendan Fraser), who is enlisted by librarian Evie Carnahan (Rachel Weisz) and her brother Jonathon (played by John Hannah) to take them to Hamunaptra, a mythical City of the Dead where the treasures of ancient Egypt are said to be buried.
Trouble comes when they accidentally raise a mummy, Imhotep (portrayed by Arnold Vosloo), who is determined to raise his fallen love, Anuck-su-namun (Patricia Velasquez) and will kill everyone in his wake to do so. The O’Connells fight to stop his return, and are also aided by a Medjai chieftain, Ardeth Bay (played by Oded Fehr).
It is a loose remake of the 1932 film of the same name.
The Mummy Returns (2001)
The Mummy was followed up by The Mummy Returns in 2001, with the main cast returning (Rick and Evie now SPOILER ALERT married and with a son). This film saw the film acting debut of Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
The plot follows a secret organisation who resurrect Imhotep in order for him to fight and defeat the Scorpion King (Dwayne Johnson) and take over his army and thus the world. The O’Connells are embroiled in the plot when their son is kidnapped as he wears the Bracelet of Anubis, which Rick and Evie found in a tomb in Egypt. It leads the way to the secret Oasis of Ahm Shere, where the Scorpion King’s pyramid is waiting.
The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008)
The last film in the current franchise is The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor in 2008. The cast swaps Egypt for China and recasts Rachel Weisz. Jet Li and Michelle Yeoh join the cast, which sees the O’Connells taking on the immortal Dragon Emperor. However, this instalment was the lowest-grossing and least popular of the franchise. It’s unclear if this film will remain canon with The Mummy 4 coming out in 2028.
What other spin-offs and remakes of The Mummy are there?
Following The Mummy Returns, there was a prequel, The Scorpion King, which explored the origins of the character with Dwayne Johnson returning for the role.
In 2017, Tom Cruise led a reboot of the franchise as US Army Sergeant Nick Morton. In The Mummy (2017), Nick accidentally unearths an ancient tomb of Egyptian princess Ahmanet (Sofia Boutella), and she is set free and wreaks havoc in the UK. There’s also a cameo of Russell Crowe as Dr Henry Jekyll/Mr Hyde. It was intended as a launchpad for Universal’s Dark Universe film series. However, it was not a success and the shared universe was scrapped.
Who is returning for The Mummy 4?
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are both set to reprise their roles of Rick and Evie in The Mummy 4. They are the only two cast members confirmed by Universal. However, we suspect that John Hannah and Oded Fehr will also return.
What is the plot of The Mummy 4?
Universal haven’t released an official plot yet, but fans online are speculating that the film could be set in South America. However, many are hoping for a return of Arnold Vosloo’s Imhotep and the setting to once again be Egypt.
When is The Mummy 4 coming out?
Universal has confirmed that The Mummy 4 is set for a 19 May 2028 release date.
We will share more details as they come out. Stay tuned!
