Rick O’Connell is suiting up again. Photos of Brendan Fraser on a recent red carpet have fans convinced he is already getting back into fighting shape for The Mummy 4, the long-awaited sequel now locked for a 2027 theatrical release that will reunite him with the original franchise crew.
Fraser is getting back in shape for Rick O’Connell
The buzz started when a photo surfaced of Fraser at the premiere of the war drama Pressure, where he plays General Dwight Eisenhower. A side-by-side comparison of the actor in 2021 and now spread online, with fans noting how noticeably fitter he looks as he prepares to reprise the swashbuckling adventurer.
It has been almost two decades since the franchise’s last installment, and Fraser is now in his late fifties. He has spoken before about the physical toll the original Mummy stunts took on his body, which makes his current transformation all the more meaningful to fans who watched him win a career-defining Oscar for The Whale in 2023.
The original crew is officially back
The sequel marks a genuine reunion. Rachel Weisz is returning as Evelyn Carnahan after sitting out the third film, and Entertainment Weekly confirmed that Oded Fehr and Kevin J. O’Connor will reprise their roles as Ardeth Bay and Beni Gabor. John Hannah is also back as Evelyn’s lovable brother Jonathan Carnahan.
| Returning cast | Role |
| Brendan Fraser | Rick O’Connell |
| Rachel Weisz | Evelyn Carnahan |
| Oded Fehr | Ardeth Bay |
| Kevin J. O’Connor | Beni Gabor |
| John Hannah | Jonathan Carnahan |
New faces include Michael Johnston, who some fans suspect could play Rick and Evelyn’s now-grown son, although that has not been confirmed, and Numan Acar in an undisclosed role.
The Mummy 4: what we know so far
| Release date | October 15, 2027 |
| Status | In pre-production |
| Director’s seat | Yet to be fully locked down |
| Where the trilogy streams | HBO Max |
The nostalgia is real
The 1999 original was a surprise blockbuster that grossed more than USD 400 million worldwide and turned the franchise into a beloved blend of action, comedy and romance. For Filipino viewers, The Mummy and The Mummy Returns were cable and rental staples of the early 2000s, which is exactly why a new chapter carries so much weight.
Want to catch up before 2027? The whole trilogy is streaming on HBO Max right now, making it an easy weekend binge ahead of Rick O’Connell’s comeback.
