Brendan Fraser confirms 'Mummy 4': 'I've been waiting 20 years...'
Hollywood actor Brendan Fraser has confirmed that he will be returning to the Mummy franchise with a fourth installment. Speaking to Associated Press, Fraser revealed that this is the sequel he has been "waiting 20 years" to make. He also shared his thoughts on the third installment, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008), which was strategically linked to NBC's broadcast of that year's Summer Olympics in Beijing.
'Tomb of the Dragon Emperor' was made for this reason
Fraser explained that The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was an attempt to capitalize on NBC's broadcast of the Olympics. "So they put two together and we went to China. Working in Shanghai, an incredible experience." He added, "I'm proud of the third one because I think it's a good standalone movie... But the one I wanted to make is forthcoming. And I've been waiting 20 years for this call."
'Mummy 4' to be directed by Radio Silence duo
Earlier this month, Deadline reported that the fourth installment of the Mummy franchise is in development at Universal Pictures. The film will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett from Radio Silence. David Coggeshall has been roped in as the writer for the script, while Sean Daniel, William Sherak, James Vanderbilt, and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment will serve as producers.
Fraser and Rachel Weisz's return to 'Mummy 4'
Fraser is set to reprise his role as adventurer Rick O'Connell in Mummy 4. He will be joined by Rachel Weisz, who will return as Evelyn O'Connell. The duo starred together in the first two installments of the franchise, The Mummy (1999) and The Mummy Returns (2001). Maria Bello had replaced Weisz in Tomb of the Dragon Emperor as Evelyn. Reportedly, the upcoming film will forgo everything that happened in the third movie.