Rachel Weisz Is Back as Evelyn O’Connell, and the New ‘The Mummy’ Sequel Is Filming in London
Some franchises refuse to stay buried, and ‘The Mummy’ has always been the kind of adventure that keeps clawing its way out of the sand. Few film series have mixed swashbuckling thrills, creaky curses and a sense of humor quite as well, which makes a reunion of the original stars a big deal. Now the Rachel Weisz comeback is real, and cameras are rolling in the heart of London.
The original film from 1999 followed a treasure hunter who accidentally awakens a cursed Egyptian priest with supernatural powers. Weisz played librarian-turned-action-heroine Evelyn Carnahan, opposite Brendan Fraser’s Rick O’Connell, and the pair returned together for ‘The Mummy Returns’ in 2001. That was the last time the two shared the screen in this series, a gap that has now stretched to roughly 25 years.
The newest sign that the reunion is moving full steam ahead: Weisz has been spotted filming scenes for the sequel in Notting Hill. It is a long way from the sands of Hamunaptra, but the sighting confirms that the production is still hard at work on its London shoot, with the franchise’s heroine back in front of the camera.
Rachel Weisz was spotted filming scenes for “The Mummy 4” in Notting Hill. ⚰️ 📸: https://t.co/9WfTiveblV https://t.co/Xq1Wtgud5C
— Page Six (@PageSix) November 4, 2026
This is not the first time Weisz has been caught on location. Set photos spread across social media and outlets including The Daily Mail in late September, showing the 56-year-old actress in a yellow polka-dot skirt, a brown cropped jacket and a matching wide-brimmed hat. Those scenes were filmed outside the British Museum, where her character was seen clutching a vintage leather briefcase while holding an old-fashioned transistor radio up to her face.
FIRST LOOK AT BRENDAN FRASER AND RACHEL WEISZ ON SET FOR THE MUMMY 4!! https://t.co/oN6ve6bTCK
— The Dr. Rachel Weisz daily count bot (@kiana_weisz) October 14, 2026
Those scenes are reportedly expected to appear early in the movie. The vintage props and wardrobe have naturally fueled speculation about when the story takes place, though the plot itself is being kept under tighter wraps than a freshly unearthed mummy.
Fraser, meanwhile, has been making headlines of his own. The actor appeared at the Venice Film Festival in September looking visibly in shape, which only added to the buzz around his return as the dashing adventurer.
Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser reunite on set of the new Mummy movie (part2) https://t.co/FZKmnkK1L8
— Rachel Weisz News (@RachelWeiszNews) October 14, 2026
The film is being directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the filmmakers collectively known as Radio Silence. The duo is best known for horror, which makes the choice of directors an intriguing one for a franchise built on adventure.
Fraser and Weisz are joined by familiar faces from the earlier films. John Hannah returns as Jonathan, the treasure-hungry and less-than-trustworthy older brother of Evelyn. Oded Fehr and Kevin J. O’Connor are also on board, alongside newcomers Michael Johnston and Numan Acar, according to Variety’s reporting.
Weisz’s return also carries a bit of franchise history. She sat out the third film in 2008, with Maria Bello taking over the role of Evelyn, so the new film marks her first return to the series in a quarter of a century. Coverage of the project consistently calls the Fraser and Weisz pairing its major draw.
Universal first slated the sequel for May 19, 2028, then pulled it forward by more than 7 months, setting it for October 15, 2027. The studio swapped the film’s original slot with ‘Miami Vice ’85’, which stars Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler and now occupies the May 2028 date. Universal’s announcement also confirmed that Fraser and Weisz are returning as Rick and Evie O’Connell. Some coverage has pointed out that an October release lets the film dodge the crowded summer blockbuster season and lean into spooky-season moviegoing.
The film also has an official name now. Universal announced it as ‘The Mummy: Book of the Dead’ in a post on the movie’s official X account on October 15, 2026, exactly 1 year before its theatrical debut, according to TBreak.
For longtime fans, seeing Weisz back in character on real London streets is the kind of behind-the-scenes treat that keeps anticipation climbing. With production well underway and a release date that is now less than a year away, the O’Connells’ return looks closer than ever.
What are you most excited to see in the new The Mummy sequel?
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