Brendan Fraser Returns to The Mummy Franchise for New Sequel
Actor spotted on set filming a scene involving a high-speed rocket car, 18 years after his last appearance in the series.
Brendan Fraser, 57, has been photographed on the set of an upcoming sequel to The Mummy franchise, marking his return to the series after an 18-year hiatus. The actor was seen in Suffolk, England, filming a scene where his character, treasure hunter Rick O'Connell, appears to be piloting a rocket-like high-speed car. This appearance comes as part of Fraser's career resurgence, which notably included an Oscar win for Best Actor for his performance in "The Whale."
The scene involved Fraser's stunt double taking the wheel of the experimental vehicle, which was described as long and tubular, painted blue and red with stylized lightning bolts and the words 'Great Britain Speed Shop.' The car also featured American and British flags on its tail fin. Both Fraser and his double were seen with soot-like makeup applied after the vehicle zoomed past a cheering crowd, leaving a trail of smoke. The filming took place at a former military base, repurposed to simulate the fictional Daubach Air Base.
Joining Fraser in the new film is his original Mummy co-star Rachel Weisz, who was recently confirmed to be rejoining the franchise. Weisz's character, Evelyn Carnahan, did not appear in the most recent Mummy film, "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," where Maria Bello took over the role. However, the new sequel appears to be bringing back original cast members, with John Hannah and Arnold Vosloo also reportedly returning. Kevin J. O'Connor, who played a henchman in the original film, has also been cast despite his character's demise.
The new film is set to ignore the events of "Tomb of the Dragon Emperor" and will follow decades after "The Mummy Returns," the last installment in which Weisz starred. The directing team of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known for their work on "Ready or Not" and recent "Scream" entries, are helming the project, replacing original director Stephen Sommers.
Fraser's career revival has seen him take on various roles, including a portrayal of Dwight D. Eisenhower in the World War II film "Pressure" and a leading role in the dramedy "Rental Family." His Oscar win for "The Whale" solidified his comeback, which began in 2021 with a role in Steven Soderbergh's "No Sudden Move."
The upcoming Mummy sequel is scheduled for release on October 15, 2027.