Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the directors of the upcoming fourth installment in Stephen Sommers’s iconic “The Mummy” series of movies, have revealed the one thing that will attract Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz to return to the franchise.
Fraser, 57, and Weisz, 55, are all but set to reprise their roles as Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan-O’Connell, respectively, when the fourth movie in the action adventure fantasy franchise hits theaters in 2028.
The fourth film is currently untitled (per IMDb). The only currently known information about it is that Bettinelli-Olpin, 48, and Gillett, 43, are helming it. Fraser, Weisz, Oded Fehr, and John Hannah are touted, but not confirmed, to return (Fehr and Hannah played Ardeth Bay and Jonathan Carnahan, respectively, in previous movies).
In a recent chat with Entertainment Weekly, Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett explained what will ensure Fraser and Weisz sign on for it.
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Will Need to ‘Love’ the Script
GettyMatt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett told Entertainment Weekly that Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz would need to be impressed by the script for “The Mummy 4” if they were to return for it.
Bettinelli-Olpin said, “I don’t think Brendan and Rachel are getting involved unless they love that script, and what they read, I think they really liked.”
He continued with a line that should signal good news for fans of “The Mummy” franchise. He said, “And it’s a good script. It’s gonna be fun to make.”
The fact that Fraser and Weisz want a good script, combined with Bettinelli-Olpin’s affirmation that the script for the fourth movie in “The Mummy” franchise is good all bodes well for the star pair’s return. It’s also great news that the actors like what they’ve read so far.
On getting to work on the movie, Gillett said, “It’s truly a dream project.” You have to imagine, therefore, that he’ll want to do it right — that’ll surely mean bringing back the original stars.
Fraser and Weisz Appeared in Two “The Mummy” Movies Together
GettyAcademy Award-winners Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz appeared in two of the previous three “The Mummy” movies together. They were 1999’s “The Mummy” and 2001’s “The Mummy Returns.”
Per IMDB, only Fraser returned for 2008’s “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.” Maria Bello took over Weisz’s role as Evelyn Carnahan-O’Connell for the film.
The third movie was by far the most poorly received. The first installment holds a Rotten Tomatoes approval rating of 63%, the second movie’s rating is 46%, while the third’s is a lowly 13%. Suffice it to say that fans undoubtedly prefer it when Weisz is on board.
In fact, it’s questionable as to whether that third movie is even canon. Most fans tend to ignore it. More to the point, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett seem to be of a similar opinion.
When Entertainment Weekly asked the duo if they consider it canon to their new movie, Bettinelli-Olpin replied, “Well, Rachel is in this one.”
Moreover, Gillett added, “That should answer the question for you.”
It certainly does, Tyler.
This year, Brendan Fraser is set to appear as Dwight D. Eisenhower, the 34th president of the United States, in Anthony Maras’ war movie “Pressure” (per IMDb). We’ll certainly be looking forward to that.
