Beloved stars Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are reportedly in talks to reunite for a new installment in the iconic “Mummy” franchise, sending waves of excitement through fans of the action-adventure series. This potential reunion marks a significant return for the duo, who captivated audiences as Rick and Evelyn O'Connell in the original films.

The upcoming film is set to be directed by the filmmaking duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, collectively known as Radio Silence. These horror mavens have gained acclaim for their work on 2019’s “Ready or Not” and for successfully revitalizing Paramount’s “Scream” franchise with the 2022 film and its 2023 sequel, “Scream VI.” Radio Silence also directed 2023’s “Abigail,” a modern reimagining within the Universal Horror universe. David Coggeshall, known for “Orphan: First Kill,” is reportedly attached to write the script for the new “Mummy” continuation.

Reports suggest that this new “Mummy” film will act as a direct sequel to the first two installments of the series, intentionally disregarding 2008’s “The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,” where Maria Bello notably replaced Rachel Weisz as Evelyn Carnahan. This approach aligns with Brendan Fraser’s long-standing connection to his character, adventurer Rick O’Connell.

The original “The Mummy” (1999), written and directed by Stephen Sommers, launched Fraser into stardom as a bankable action hero. Co-starring Weisz, the blockbuster followed Rick O’Connell, a treasure hunter who inadvertently awakens the cursed Egyptian priest Imhotep. Its success led to “The Mummy Returns” in 2001, which saw the now-married Rick and Evelyn face off against a resurrected Imhotep and the mystical Scorpion King, famously played by Dwayne Johnson in his first movie role. The franchise also spawned a prequel, “The Scorpion King,” centered on Johnson’s character.

Universal Pictures had previously attempted to reboot “The Mummy” in 2017 with Tom Cruise at the helm, intending it as the cornerstone for their ambitious “Dark Universe” shared cinematic universe. However, that film was a commercial misfire, receiving poor reception from critics and audiences alike, and ultimately spelled doom for the studio’s interconnected monster franchise plan.

Brendan Fraser, who has experienced a significant career comeback following personal issues and health problems, notably winning an Oscar for best actor for 2022’s “The Whale,” has expressed his openness to revisiting his most popular role. During the press cycle for “The Whale,” Fraser told Variety that he’d be open to another “Mummy” sequel if the “right conceit” could be found. He also offered insights into why the Tom Cruise reboot failed to resonate with audiences, stating, “The ingredient that we had going for our ‘Mummy,’ which I didn’t see in the new one, was fun. That was what was lacking in that incarnation. It was too much of a straight-ahead horror movie. ‘The Mummy’ should be a thrill ride, but not terrifying and scary.” This sentiment underscores the core appeal of the original films that fans hope to see resurrected.