The Directors of ‘The Mummy 4’ Clarify That ‘Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’ Isn’t Canon: A Return for Rachel Weisz
After nearly two decades, the third installment of The Mummy franchise is set to make a reappearance.
Radio Silence directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who have signed on to direct The Mummy 4, recently commented on whether 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor will be considered canon for the upcoming film, scheduled for release on May 19, 2028.
“Well, Rachel [Weisz] is in this one,” Bettinelli-Olpin told Entertainment Weekly, with Gillett adding, “That should answer the question for you.”
Weisz, who portrayed Egyptologist Evelyn Carnahan in the first two films, did not return for the third installment, where Maria Bello assumed the role alongside Brendan Fraser, who reprised his role as adventurer Rick O’Connell.
Last month, both Fraser and Weisz confirmed their return for The Mummy 4, which will be directed by Radio Silence and feature a script by David Coggeshal.
Michelle Yeoh in ‘The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’ (2008) (Universal/Courtesy Everett Collection)
Fraser has previously shared insights regarding the third film, noting it was largely an effort for NBC to leverage the Summer Olympics in Beijing that year. “The one I wanted to make was never made,” he stated in a November interview with the AP.
“NBC had the rights to broadcast the Olympics that year,” he elaborated. “So they put two together and we went to China. Working in Shanghai, an incredible experience. I’m proud of the third one because I think it’s a good standalone movie. We picked up and did what we do with a different crew on deck and gave it our best shot.”
Fraser expressed optimism for the future, stating, “But the one I wanted to make is forthcoming. And I’ve been waiting 20 years for this call. Sometimes it was loud, sometimes it was a faint telegraph. Now? It’s time to give the fans what they want.”
