The Mummy: Book Of The Dead Release Date Confirmed

Universal Pictures has officially titled the next film The Mummy: Book Of The Dead and set its theatrical release for October 15, 2027. The studio confirmed the title on October 15, 2026, exactly one year before the film's scheduled arrival in theaters. This marks the fourth installment in the action-adventure franchise starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, which was previously known under the working title The Mummy 4.

Directing duties for The Mummy: Book Of The Dead fall to Tyler Gillett and Matt Bettinelli-Olpin, the filmmaking duo known collectively as Radio Silence. The screenplay is being written by David Coggeshall. Longtime franchise producer Sean Daniel is back to produce the new chapter.

Returning Cast and Crew

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are set to return as Rick and Evie O'Connell. They will be joined by a host of returning cast members from the original films. John Hannah will reprise his role as Jonathan, Evie's brother. Oded Fehr returns as Ardeth Bay, and Kevin J. O'Connor is also back. The ensemble is rounded out by Michael Johnston and Numan Acar.

Filming is currently underway and is expected to continue until the end of the year. Social media has offered glimpses of the production, including an August Instagram post from Oded Fehr in character and photos of Rachel Weisz in costume on set.

Franchise Context and Development

The Mummy: Book Of The Dead arrives nearly two decades after the last live-action installment in the core series. The franchise began with the 1999 film 'The Mummy,' directed by Stephen Sommers, which became a huge hit and spawned sequels and spin-offs. The subsequent films, The Mummy Returns, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, and various Scorpion King movies, were met with a more mixed reception.

Universal's attempt to launch a shared 'Dark Universe' with Tom Cruise's 2017 'The Mummy' was scrapped after that film underperformed critically. A separate project from director Lee Cronin, also titled 'The Mummy,' was developed as a new mythology inspired by ancient Egypt but was not an official franchise revival. The confirmation of The Mummy: Book Of The Dead represents a return to the original series' continuity.

Production Timeline and Details

The film's title refers to the ancient Egyptian tome, a recurring artifact in the franchise known for containing spells to resurrect the dead and summon the Warriors of the Book. It last appeared in The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption. While specific plot details remain under wraps, the film is rumored to involve the summoning of the original villain, Imhotep, back to life using the Book of the Dead.

Oded Fehr, whose character Ardeth Bay was absent from the third film, previously joked about the sequel's reception. He stated he was not in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor because Imhotep was not the main villain, and at an event he humorfully insisted, "The Mummy, The Mummy Returns, there wasn’t a third one." Brendan Fraser has expressed his enthusiasm for the new project. Brendan Fraser said: "The Mummy 4 is now The Mummy: Book Of The Dead, release date confirmed."

The film is scheduled to hit theaters on October 15, 2027.