Brendan Fraser & Rachel Weisz in Talks to Return for New ‘mummy’ Movie from Universal; Radio Silence to Direct

Reuniting the Franchise: A Return to Nostalgia

Universal Pictures is gearing up for a significant return to one of its most beloved action-adventure franchises, with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in discussions to reprise their roles as Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan. The duo last starred together in 1999’s The Mummy and the subsequent sequel, 2001’s The Mummy Returns, both directed by Stephen Sommers. These films not only introduced Fraser to a wide audience but also significantly contributed to his rise as one of the biggest stars of the late ’90s and early 2000s.

Given the immense success and fan base generated by these Mummy films, Universal is clearly banking on the nostalgia factor. The original movies grossed over $400 million worldwide, and their real wave of millennial nostalgia for both Fraser and his Mummy persona has made this project a prime opportunity to tap into that built-in fandom.

A New Chapter: Casting and Creative Team

According to multiple sources, the new film will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett. This marks another collaboration between Radio Silence Productions and Project X Entertainment, following their recent work on rebooting the Scream franchise up until but not including Scream 7. The project also features a familiar face in producer Sean Daniel, who was integral to the original Mummy films.

David Coggeshall, known for his work on various projects such as “The Family Plan” and “The Deliverance,” will pen the script. Additionally, William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment are set to produce alongside Daniel.

The Future of the Mummy Franchise

While details regarding plot specifics remain under wraps, this announcement signifies a strategic move by Universal Pictures. The studio has struggled with its recent attempts at modern movie monster flicks, including The Mummy (2017) starring Tom Cruise, which, despite its commercial success, received critical panning and led to the scrapping of broader Dark Universe plans.

Revisiting the Mummy franchise makes perfect sense for Universal in light of the real wave of millennial nostalgia. This project could potentially revitalize the brand and attract audiences who have fond memories of the original films or are curious about what a new take on the character might bring to the table.

Brendan Fraser is currently making waves with his Academy Award win for The Whale and his return to the awards circuit this season with Searchlight’s Rental Family. Meanwhile, Rachel Weisz has been busy with projects such as Prime Video’s Dead Ringers and Marvel’s Black Widow.

This collaboration promises to be an exciting addition to Universal’s lineup and could potentially bring back the magic of the Mummy franchise for a new generation of fans.