The Mummy 4 Only Has 1 Choice to Bring the Franchise Back From the Dead

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Despite being a remake of a classic monster movie, the 1999 version is often considered the best adaptation of the story. It’s famous for successfully blending action and horror, making it a hugely popular film that remains unmatched in its genre. Now, a new attempt might finally recapture that success, but it needs to focus on what made the original version so effective.

Another sequel to the 1999 film The Mummy is reportedly being made, and some of the original stars are returning. The project is being led by horror experts, which could be a good thing. The Mummy movies have become very action-focused, and a return to the horror elements that made the original so popular could help the new film stand out.

The Sequels to the Best Mummy Movie Weren’t Horror Films

The 1999 remake of The Mummy, directed by Stephen Sommers, only took inspiration from the original Boris Karloff film. While it borrowed some characters and ideas, the story was largely new. The remake focused heavily on action, becoming as much of a thrilling adventure as a horror movie. The horror elements came from the Mummy himself, but instead of a slow, shambling monster, he was reimagined as a fast-moving, digitally created corpse enacting a curse. This blend of action and horror wasn’t maintained in the sequels. The Mummy Returns was almost entirely an action film, feeling more like a modern adventure story than a horror movie. The same held true for The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Empire, which introduced a new Mummy and a different style. Though less popular than the first two films, Tomb of the Dragon Empire is still considered better than .

The 2017 Mummy film didn’t succeed because it tried to kickstart a larger shared universe, and that focus ultimately hurt it. It prioritized action over the horror elements that made the original concept work, with any attempts at body horror feeling like weak copies of the 1999 film. This was likely a move to attract a broader audience, as the studio hoped to replicate the success of the Marvel Cinematic Universe with their own “Dark Universe.” However, the movie wasn’t even a good action film, failing to satisfy fans of that genre. What people really wanted was a continuation of the story from the 1999 movie, with Brendan Fraser’s Rick O’Connell getting a satisfying conclusion – and that might finally happen soon.

The Mummy 1999 Still Lacks a True Finale

Stephen Sommers’ The Mummy is a remarkably effective blockbuster, succeeding at everything it sets out to do. Though the film concluded with a classic ‘heroes ride into the sunset’ ending, audiences wanted to see more, which made sense considering the franchise wasn’t based on a pre-existing book. This allowed for natural continuation of the story, unlike adaptations of novels like Dracula where continuing beyond the source material can feel contrived. Consequently, The Mummy Returns brought back Brendan Fraser and the original cast to battle the resurrected Imhotep, introducing the Scorpion King (played by Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson) as an additional villain. While not as critically acclaimed as the first film – and featuring some questionable special effects – The Mummy Returns was still a box office success and remains the only sequel or spin-off considered worthy of the original Sommers movie.

The third ‘Mummy’ film, ‘Tomb of the Dragon Emperor,’ didn’t live up to expectations, and the long wait for it only made things worse. It was tough to introduce a completely new mummy and storyline after the beloved Imhotep, and the movie has largely been forgotten. The decision to replace Rachel Weisz as Evelyn, Rick’s wife, with Maria Bello also upset many fans. What could have been a strong third installment ended up being a disappointment, especially since it didn’t feature the original actress in a key role. The lack of any further sequels meant the film’s issues were never addressed, and Rick and Evelyn didn’t get a proper send-off. While the later ‘Mummy’ film with Tom Cruise complicated things, there’s now an opportunity to restore Rick’s reputation as a legendary action hero.

The Next Mummy Movie Needs to Go Back to Horror

Details about the upcoming fourth The Mummy movie starring Brendan Fraser are still scarce. It’s unclear if characters like Alex and Jonathan Carnahan will return, or even what role Imhotep will play, building on the legacy of the character originally portrayed by Karloff and later by Arnold Vosloo. While fans are eager for a sequel, a key question is how much horror it will include. Though action is expected, especially with Rick O’Connell as an action hero, leaning more into horror – and body horror in particular – could be a smart move. The original 1999 film struck a better balance between spectacle and terror, and recapturing that feeling would appeal to fans. Given the nostalgic appeal of the project, revisiting what audiences loved about the first movie seems logical, and could even address the actors’ ages. Rachel Weisz’s recent work suggests she’s open to returning.

The new Mummy movie has a good chance of being genuinely scary thanks to the team behind it. Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, known as Radio Silence, are directing. They have a strong background in horror, including work on several horror anthologies and the recent hit Scream VI. They often blend dark humor and thrilling action, as seen in their 2019 film Ready or Not, which is getting a sequel in 2026. It would be worrying if this movie was in the hands of inexperienced or unsuccessful filmmakers, but Radio Silence has a proven track record. They’ve demonstrated an ability to balance nostalgia with strong storytelling and genuine scares, like they did with the last two Scream movies. Now, it just needs to be made, and hopefully, it will live up to the hype and deliver a truly terrifying new Mummy film.

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2025-11-07 04:36