Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz Reunite as "The Mummy 4" Begins Filming After 25 Years

Rick and Evelyn O'Connell are heading back into the sand. Brendan Fraser confirmed that "The Mummy 4" officially began filming Monday, September 7, reuniting him with Rachel Weisz for the first time since 2001's "The Mummy Returns" - 25 years after they last shared the screen together.

Fraser broke the news himself while accepting the Talent Award at the Deauville American Film Festival in France, where the 1999 original was screened as part of his tribute. "We start Monday morning," he told Canal+. "So I need to leave Deauville fast. I have to be at work Monday morning."

The new film is being directed by Radio Silence (Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett), the team behind "Ready or Not" and the recent "Scream" films, from a script by David Coggeshall. Production is set to shoot in both London and Morocco. John Hannah is confirmed to return as Evelyn's brother Jonathan, alongside Kevin J. O'Connor as Beni. Reports indicate the story will pick up as a direct continuation of the original two films, largely setting aside 2008's "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor."

Now 57, Fraser said he trained physically to return to the role, joking he'll leave the heavier stunts to the professionals this time around.

It's a full-circle moment for an actor whose own comeback - from years out of the spotlight to his 2023 Best Actor Oscar for "The Whale" - has become one of Hollywood's most talked-about stories of perseverance and gratitude, on screen and off.