Brendan Fraser Is Officially Back as Rick O’Connell in First ‘Mummy’ Set Photos
Few adventure franchises have as much nostalgia baked in as ‘The Mummy’. The 1999 original turned Brendan Fraser into one of Hollywood’s most charming action heroes, and fans have been asking for a reunion for years. Now that reunion is finally underway.
The production has been ramping up for months. Universal announced earlier this year that Fraser and Rachel Weisz would return, with Radio Silence directing, and filming was expected to begin in August. This week, the first set photos gave fans their first proper look at the project in action.
The photos show Fraser as Rick O’Connell, filming on Monday, September 28. Fraser was seen in a black leather jacket and a white crash helmet, smiling as he filmed scenes on a military base in Suffolk, England. The photos arrived through Backgrid and were shared widely online, and one post pulled in about 1.4 million views.
FIRST LOOK AT BRENDAN FRASER FILMING FOR THE MUMMY 4! pic.twitter.com/utoYawlQD0
— The Dr. Rachel Weisz daily count bot (@kiana_weisz) September 28, 2026
The details are what got fans talking. In the images, Fraser appears with a vintage silver-and-red rocket car labeled EPSA for what looks like a 1957 speed trials sequence. TMZ noted that his stunt double appears to have done most of the driving.
มีภาพมาเพิ่มอีกแล้ว รอบนี้มีคุณ Brendan ด้วย
— Mori_MovieLover🎬🐾 (@NooMori) September 27, 2026
ว่าแล้วไปหาภาคแรกดูดีกว่า 🤩#TheMummy4 pic.twitter.com/Fvcy7ixcZo
ScreenRant pointed out that an extra in the scene wears a white and red jacket with “Rick O’Connell Racing” on the back. That suggests Rick may now own a racing team, which would be a big change for a character best known for treasure hunting. It also puts the story in a very different era from the earlier films, since ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’ was set in 1946.
Rachel Weisz no set das filmagens de "THE MUMMY 4"https://t.co/fNyXtvdFuB
— Task Movies (@TaskMoviesPT) September 27, 2026
Fraser isn’t the only original star in the photos. Weisz was photographed filming outside London’s British Museum as Evelyn O’Connell. Her look included a yellow polka-dot skirt, a cropped brown jacket, a matching wide-brimmed hat, gloves and a vintage leather briefcase.
1ères photos de tournage pour La Momie 4 #TheMummy pic.twitter.com/vxV6AMWy0H
— Sid (@Sid380) September 27, 2026
It is her first time in the role since ‘The Mummy Returns’ in 2001. Maria Bello took over as Evelyn in 2008’s ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’, and the new film is expected to disregard the events of that third movie. Weisz and Fraser were not pictured together in these photos, so fans still have to wait to see the couple share the screen.
The reunion goes beyond the two leads. John Hannah, Oded Fehr and Kevin J. O’Connor are also returning, which brings back Jonathan, Ardeth Bay and Beni. That is a big part of the appeal for fans who grew up with the original films.
Radio Silence duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are directing from a script by David Coggeshall. Their credits include ‘Ready or Not’, ‘Abigail’ and the ‘Scream’ films, which suggests a blend of scares, humor and heart. Plot details are being kept under wraps.
There is good news on timing too. Universal moved the film’s release date from May 19, 2028, to October 15, 2027. That places it in the Halloween season, a fitting slot for a franchise about a cursed mummy.
The move up also signals confidence in the project. The ‘Mummy’ series has already earned more than $1 billion worldwide, and a new chapter with its original stars is a strong bet. Whether that confidence turns into box office remains to be seen.
Fraser’s return also reflects how far his career has come. He won the Best Actor Oscar for ‘The Whale’, and he has said he trained hard to get back into shape to play Rick again. He showed off a new look at the European premiere of his World War II thriller ‘Pressure’ earlier this year.
He also has a personal connection to the franchise’s legacy. He was pictured riding Revenge of the Mummy: The Ride at Universal Studios Hollywood with the directors, a playful nod to the series’ place in pop culture. Those small moments help build excitement for a film that fans have wanted for years.
For now, these set photos are the clearest look yet. They show a confident Rick, a stylish Evelyn and a production that seems to embrace the tone of the originals. With just over a year to go, the excitement is building.
Are you ready to see Brendan Fraser back as Rick O’Connell in The Mummy?
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