Brendan Fraser's return to The Mummy moves to October 2027, months ahead of original schedule

At a glance:

• The fourth Mummy film, starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz, shifts from May 19, 2028 to October 15, 2027.
• Miami Vice remake starring Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler now occupies the May 2028 slot.
• Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (Radio Silence) are behind the camera for the first time in the franchise.

What changed and why

The fourth installment in Universal's Mummy franchise — still untitled and widely referred to as The Mummy 4 — is arriving several months ahead of its previously announced window. The new release date is October 15, 2027, replacing the original May 19, 2028 slot that had been publicly set. That May date will now be filled by the Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler Miami Vice remake, according to Variety's reporting.

The move is notable for a couple of reasons. First, the Mummy brand has historically leaned into adventure-fantasy rather than horror, yet October is deeply associated with Halloween and monster-friendly cinema. Second, it suggests Universal is hedging its bets on how well the franchise can still draw audiences after a lengthy gap. The franchise's last film, 2017's The Mummy (starring Tom Cruise), underperformed at the box office relative to its $125 million budget, which may explain the cautious scheduling.

Who's directing and what to expect

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, collectively known as Radio Silence, are steering the project for the first time in the Mummy series. Their filmography tilts toward splattery, self-aware horror: they directed Scream (2022) and Scream VI (2023), the original Ready or Not (2019), Abigail (2024), and Ready or Not 2: Here I Come, their most recent release. They also contributed a segment to the first V/H/S anthology. While they bring a sharp visual sensibility, their style is more visceral than the swashbuckling tone that defined the earlier Mummy films.

That said, the Mummy universe has never shied away from graphic set-pieces — the earlier films already featured scarabs devouring live humans and mummified horrors crawling out of ancient tombs. Fans can reasonably expect the new film to maintain that mix of practical creature work and globe-trotting adventure, even if the pacing and tone lean a bit darker under Radio Silence's direction.

The returning cast

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are reprising their roles as Rick and Evelyn O'Connell, the central couple whose chemistry anchored the 1999 original and its sequels. John Hannah, who played Jonathan Carnahan in the first Mummy film and returned for The Mummy Returns, is also set to come back. The reunion of all three has been a long-discussed fan wish, and the October 2027 date means we could see first-look material or a trailer within the next year or so.

Beyond the central trio, plot details remain scarce. The story will almost certainly involve the O'Connells exploring new burial chambers and whatever evolution their relationship has undergone since the last film. Whether the film attempts to reboot the timeline or continues the existing continuity is an open question — but with the release moved up, expect Universal to start teasing specifics sooner rather than later.

What this means for Universal's slate

The swap of release dates also reshuffles Universal's broader theatrical calendar. The Michael B. Jordan and Austin Butler Miami Vice remake — a 1980s-set reimagining — now occupies the May 19, 2028 window, positioning it as a summer tentpole. For the Mummy franchise, landing in mid-October is a strategic choice: it slots the film into the Halloween movie season, where horror-adjacent and monster titles historically see a boost in ticket sales.

Universal still has a packed pipeline of franchise entries and legacy reboots in development, so the early move for The Mummy 4 could free up production resources or marketing bandwidth for other projects. It also raises the stakes for the film to deliver on its nostalgia pitch — if it doesn't land, the franchise's future becomes even more uncertain.

What to watch next

With an October 2027 date now locked in, expect a wave of announcements over the coming months — casting additions, early concept art, and possibly a teaser trailer. The involvement of Radio Silence should generate curiosity among horror fans who may not have followed the Mummy franchise closely, and the Halloween window gives the film a natural promotional hook. Whether the series can recapture the magic of the 1999 original, or whether the move up simply reflects Universal's cautious confidence, remains to be seen.