The Mummy 4 With Fraser and Weisz Now Has a Filming Start Window

Eighteen years is a long time to wait for an adventure. But for fans of the original Mummy trilogy, the news breaking in early 2026 that Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are returning for The Mummy 4 felt less like a Hollywood announcement and more like a resurrection in its own right.

Now, the project has taken another concrete step forward: a filming start window has been revealed, signaling that this long-anticipated sequel is moving from wishful thinking into actual production territory.

What follows is grounded in what has been reported so far.

The Mummy 4 Is Actually Happening — Here’s What We Know

For a long time, a fourth Mummy film felt like the kind of project that gets talked about endlessly in fan circles but never actually materializes. Universal’s disastrous attempt to reboot the franchise with Tom Cruise in 2017 did little to help matters, essentially collapsing the studio’s planned “Dark Universe” shared monster universe before it ever got off the ground.

But this is a different beast entirely. Rather than another reboot, The Mummy 4 is a direct continuation of the beloved Brendan Fraser trilogy — the one that began in 1999 and built a generation of fans who grew up loving the blend of action, horror, and humor that defined those films.

Fraser, who has experienced one of Hollywood’s most celebrated comebacks following his Academy Award win for The Whale, is set to reprise his role as adventurer Rick O’Connell. Weisz, an Oscar winner herself, returns alongside him as Evie. The duo’s chemistry was always central to the original films’ appeal, and their return together — rather than a recasting — is a significant part of why fan excitement has been so high.

Behind the camera, the project is in the hands of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the directing duo best known for reviving the Scream franchise with 2022’s Scream and its 2023 sequel. Their track record of honoring legacy properties while bringing genuine craft and energy to genre filmmaking makes them a credible choice for this kind of continuation.

Key Facts About The Mummy 4 at a Glance

• This is not connected to Universal’s 2017 Tom Cruise reboot
• Fraser has been away from the Rick O’Connell role since 2008
• Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett previously revived the Scream franchise
• Both Fraser and Weisz are Academy Award winners

Why This Reunion Means More Than Just Nostalgia

It would be easy to dismiss The Mummy 4 as pure nostalgia bait — a studio cashing in on audience goodwill for a beloved property. But the circumstances surrounding this project suggest something with more genuine creative intent behind it.

Fraser’s return to Hollywood prominence has been one of the more emotionally resonant stories in recent film history. After years away from leading roles, his performance in The Whale reminded audiences and the industry alike of his considerable talent. The decision to bring him back specifically for this franchise — rather than recasting Rick O’Connell with a younger actor — reflects a real commitment to honoring what made those original films work.

Weisz’s involvement is equally meaningful. Her Evie was never just a sidekick; she was a fully realized character whose intelligence and warmth were as central to the films as any action sequence. Having both leads return means the sequel has the foundation to tell a story that actually matters to the people who care about these characters.

The choice of directors also signals that this isn’t being treated as a throwaway cash grab. Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett are filmmakers with a genuine passion for genre storytelling, and their success with Scream — a franchise many had written off — shows they understand how to make legacy sequels that work for both longtime fans and newcomers.

What the Filming Window Means for the Release Timeline

The revelation of a filming start window is a meaningful milestone. It means the project has moved past the development and announcement phase into active pre-production — locations are being scouted, schedules are being locked, and the machinery of an actual film shoot is being set in motion.

Specific release date information has not yet been confirmed based on current reporting. However, once principal photography begins, major studio productions of this scale typically move toward a theatrical release within 12 to 18 months, depending on post-production needs and the studio’s scheduling strategy.

Fans who have been waiting since 2008 — when The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor closed out the original trilogy — are now looking at a realistic path to seeing these characters on screen again within the next couple of years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is The Mummy 4 a reboot or a direct sequel?
It is a direct sequel to the original Brendan Fraser trilogy, not a reboot. It is separate from Universal’s 2017 Tom Cruise film.

Who is returning for The Mummy 4?
Brendan Fraser is returning as Rick O’Connell, and Rachel Weisz is returning as Evie, 18 years after their last appearance in the franchise.

Who is directing The Mummy 4?
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the directing duo behind the 2022 and 2023 Scream films, are directing the sequel.

When does filming start for The Mummy 4?
A filming start window has been revealed as of March 2026, though a specific date has not been publicly confirmed in current reporting.

When will The Mummy 4 be released in theaters?
A release date has not yet been confirmed. This has not yet been announced based on available reporting.

How long has it been since the last Mummy film with Fraser and Weisz?
It has been 18 years since Fraser last played Rick O’Connell, with the previous installment, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, released in 2008.