Key Highlights
- Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz have reunited in London to begin filming the upcoming sequel, The Mummy 4.
- Fraser previously experienced an industry absence after alleging he was sexually assaulted by former HFPA president Philip Berk in 2003, which he stated led to him being blacklisted.
- Following his Academy Award-winning performance in The Whale, Fraser leads the franchise return alongside co-stars Kevin J. O’Connor and Oded Fehr, directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.
During the late 1990s and early 2000s, Brendan Fraser stood as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable leading men before his career experienced an abrupt and prolonged absence from major studio projects. The 57-year-old actor has since returned to the center of the film industry, a career resurgence highlighted by his 2023 Academy Award win for Best Actor in a Leading Role for The Whale, followed by appearances in Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon and the comedy Brothers. Now, Fraser is revisiting the franchise that solidified his global stardom, reuniting with original co-star Rachel Weisz for The Mummy 4.
The Allegations Behind Brendan Fraser’s Industry Hiatus
Fraser’s departure from Hollywood’s mainstream spotlight followed an incident that he addressed publicly in 2018. Speaking to GQ, Fraser revealed that he believed his career had withered on a vine after he was allegedly groped by Philip Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), at a luncheon in 2003. Fraser disclosed that the encounter left him feeling miserable, depressed, and reclusive, believing he was subsequently blacklisted by key industry players.
Recounting the alleged sexual abuse to GQ, Fraser stated: His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. And he starts moving it around. I felt ill,
the Rental Family actor alleged. Fraser further detailed the emotional toll of that encounter: I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry… In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me.
Berk previously characterized the incident as a joke in his 2014 memoir. In an updated statement provided to GQ addressing the allegations, Berk maintained: His career declined through no fault of ours.
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Reunite for The Mummy 4
On Wednesday, 14 October, Fraser and Weisz were seen together on set in London filming the new installment. The reunion marks their first time sharing scenes as Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan since the release of The Mummy Returns in 2001. Fraser starred across all three original theatrical releases, starting with Stephen Sommers’ 1999 hit The Mummy and concluding with 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, in which Maria Bello stepped in to play Evelyn after Weisz opted not to return.
While plot specifics for The Mummy 4 remain undisclosed, the production features an established creative team behind the camera. The film is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, working from a screenplay written by David Coggeshall. Franchise veterans Kevin J. O’Connor and Oded Fehr are set to reprise their roles, appearing alongside a cast that also includes Michael Johnson and Numan Acar.
Why This Matters
The commencement of filming on The Mummy 4 represents both a major franchise revitalization for Universal Studios and a personal triumph for Brendan Fraser. Following years of physical injuries, personal setbacks, and his candid disclosure of institutional mistreatment by an HFPA official, Fraser’s journey back to high-profile studio tentpoles underscores a significant shift in how Hollywood addresses past abuses. With directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett at the helm, the studio is moving forward with an expected theatrical release window targeted for October 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will The Mummy 4 be released in theaters?
The film is currently scheduled to be released in October 2027.
Who is directing and writing The Mummy 4?
The sequel is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, with a script penned by screenwriter David Coggeshall.
Which original cast members are returning alongside Brendan Fraser?
Rachel Weisz reprises her role as Evelyn Carnahan, marking her first appearance in the franchise since 2001. Co-stars Kevin J. O’Connor and Oded Fehr also appear in the upcoming film.
