Internet Explodes After Brendan Fraser & Rachel Weisz Announce Mummy Reunion

There are a few films that have the charm of The Mummy. The movie premiered in 1999 and became an instant classic. While we’ve just passed peak rewatch season for the action-adventure flick that follows a group of adventurers who accidentally resurrect Imhotep, there is some big news for the franchise. Reports suggest Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are in talks to reprise their roles. To say the news is being celebrated would be an understatement.

‘The Mummy’ reboot is in the works at Universal

It has been almost 25 years since Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz appeared together as Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan. Fans were first introduced to the characters in 1999’s The Mummy. They reprised their roles in 2001. While there have been additional sequels and reboots, none have captured the original magic. Fans had almost come to terms with never seeing the characters from The Mummy on screen together again. Then, in July, the cast, minus Weisz, had a reunion at Fan Expo Denver. The reunion set the stage for what was to come next.

On November 4, Deadline reported that Weisz and Fraser, along with other cast members, were in talks to reprise their roles in a brand new The Mummy film. The news basically broke the internet. The project, which is unnamed at this point, is being developed at Universal. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are set to direct, while David Coggeshall will provide the script. Insiders claim the team is looking to focus on the tone of the original franchise, tossing out the 2017 reboot that fans panned as unimaginative and tiresome. The 2017 reboot was too horror-focused, claimed fans.

While the movie doesn’t have an official filming date, the production company is finalizing the concept, with Deadline reporting that they are eyeing a 2026 start date. When it might hit theaters, however, is anyone’s guess, but the excitement fans have shown over the idea should fast-track it.

Why does ‘The Mummy’ have such a dedicated following?

The excited response to the potential return of Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in a The Mummy flick speaks volumes to the film’s enduring popularity. The movie has certainly earned cult classic status, though it deviates from other cult classic movies in one key way. While many cult classics were initially flops, The Mummy was not. The Mummy was a hit from the jump. The film grossed $400 million at the Box Office in 1999 when it was first released.

But why is it so popular? Simply put, it’s a unique storyline with interesting subplots. The movie serves as a genre-bending experience that people are still eager for. Fans praised the movie for mixing a classic action-adventure vibe with supernatural elements. They also fell in love with the chemistry between Fraser and his co-star, Weisz. The popularity has endured with fans returning to the movie over and over again every Fall, with viewership data spiking around Halloween.