Brendan Fraser’s return to the spotlight and his Oscar win for The Whale sparked a massive wave of nostalgia and fan demand for his iconic action adventure role as Rick O’Connell in The Mummy franchise. For years, Fraser had expressed willingness to return if the story was right, a sentiment echoed by his co-star Rachel Weisz. The fan support never wavered, and a 25th-anniversary re release of the first film in 2024, which broke into the box office top 20, highlighted just how much audiences wanted the original team back.

Now, in a thrilling development for fans, Fraser has confirmed his long awaited return for a fourth Mummy movie, which is reportedly in development with directors known for reviving the Scream franchise. Fraser told the Associated Press that he has been “waiting 20 years for this call,” revealing that the sequels he wanted to make never fully materialized but are now “forthcoming.” He promised that this new installment will finally “give the fans what they want,” a clear nod to the original films’ blend of adventure, humor, and heart, which he felt was missing from other attempts to reboot the franchise.

This news has sent fans into a frenzy, eagerly anticipating the return of the beloved O’Connell family. The announcement that Rachel Weisz is also reportedly in talks to return alongside Fraser for the first time since The Mummy Returns adds to the excitement. It represents a full-circle moment for the actor and the franchise, a testament to the power of a dedicated fanbase and the enduring appeal of the original Mummy films. This project is shaping up to be a triumphant return to form and a perfect final chapter for the beloved character.

Brendan Fraser won best actor at the 2023 Oscars on Sunday night, thanking his The Whale director Darren Aronofsky for throwing him “a creative lifeline.”

“So this is what the multiverse looks like!” Fraser said when he got to the stage to accept his award. “I’m grateful to Darren Aronofsky for throwing me a creative lifeline and hauling me aboard the good ship The Whale. … It couldn’t be done without my cast. It’s been like a diving expedition on the bottom of the ocean and the air on the line to the surface is on a launch being watched over by some people in my life.”

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Directed by Aronofsky and written by Samuel D. Hunter (based on his 2012 play of the same name), The Whale follows Charlie (Fraser), a gay man living with severe obesity who tries to rekindle his relationship with his estranged daughter, Ellie (Sadie Sink).

Previous Oscar winners Halle Berry and Jessica Chastain presented both the best actress and best actor awards. Fraser also acknowledged his fellow nominees, Austin Butler (Elvis), Colin Farrell (The Banshees of Inisherin), Bill Nighy (Living) and Paul Mescal (Aftersun), as well as his co-star Hong Chau, who was nominated in the best supporting actress category.

 

Backstage, the emotional winner said, “Going to make a film with this gravity just reinforced how important it is to perform as if it is the first and last time you ever will.”