Takeaways
- Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are officially returning to The Mummy franchise.
- Universal has set a theatrical release date for May 19, 2028.
- The film will be directed by Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett).
- Sean Daniel returns as producer; the franchise has grossed $1.8 billion worldwide.
- Story details remain under wraps, but production is moving forward at Universal.
Universal Pictures is officially reviving The Mummy franchise — and fans are getting the reunion they’ve been waiting for.
Oscar winners Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are set to return for the next installment of The Mummy, scheduled to hit theaters on May 19, 2028.
The studio had previously reserved the date for a major event film, signaling strong confidence in the franchise’s box office power.
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Reunite for The Mummy
Fraser and Weisz helped turn The Mummy into one of the most successful adventure franchises of the late ’90s and early 2000s.
Their franchise history includes:
- The Mummy (1999)
- The Mummy Returns (2001)
- The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) (Fraser only)
The original trilogy earned a combined $1.8 billion worldwide, cementing its legacy as a global blockbuster franchise.
Weisz appeared in the first two films, while Fraser headlined all three original installments.
Now, nearly two decades later, the duo is officially back.
Radio Silence to Direct Universal’s New Mummy Movie
The 2028 Mummy film will be directed by Radio Silence, the filmmaking team behind:
- Abigail (2024)
- Ready or Not
- Scream (2022) and Scream VI
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are helming the project from a screenplay by David Coggeshall, known for The Family Plan and Orphan: First Kill.
Plot details are currently being kept secret.
However, pairing Radio Silence’s modern horror sensibilities with the franchise’s adventure roots suggests a fresh yet nostalgic tone.
A Major Production Team Returns
Veteran producer Sean Daniel is returning to produce. Daniel played a key role in the original trilogy and also produced the 2017 Tom Cruise reboot.
Additional producers include:
- William Sherak
- James Vanderbilt
- Paul Neinstein (Project X Entertainment)
Executive producers:
- Brendan Fraser
- Jason F. Brown (Hivemind)
- Denis Stewart
Universal executives Jay Polidoro and Jacqueline Garell are overseeing development for the studio.
Why Universal Is Betting Big on The Mummy Again
Franchise IP continues to dominate global box offices. In 2024 and 2025, legacy sequels and nostalgia-driven reboots performed strongly, proving that established brands still draw audiences when paired with the right creative vision.
Universal’s decision to secure a prime early summer 2028 release date — with no major wide competition currently scheduled — shows strategic positioning.
The return of the original stars also taps into renewed fan enthusiasm. Fraser’s recent career resurgence, highlighted by his Oscar win, has amplified interest in revisiting one of his most iconic roles.
What This Means for Hollywood and Casting Trends
Legacy franchises are creating new opportunities across the industry:
- Big-budget adventure films remain in demand
- Streaming and theatrical hybrids are expanding IP universes
- Nostalgia marketing continues driving audience turnout
With Radio Silence balancing horror and mainstream appeal, the new Mummy could attract both longtime fans and younger audiences discovering the franchise for the first time.
What’s Next for Radio Silence?
Before The Mummy begins production, Radio Silence will premiere Ready or Not 2: Here I Come at SXSW, with a theatrical release set for March 20.
Their continued partnership with Universal signals a long-term collaboration between the studio and the directing duo.
The Bottom Line
Universal is officially bringing Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz back to The Mummy — and setting the stage for one of 2028’s biggest summer blockbusters.
After years of speculation, the franchise that defined adventure cinema for a generation is returning to theaters.
The sands of time are shifting once again.
