The Mummy 4 Directors Clarify If The Mummy 3 Is Still Canon!

The long-awaited The Mummy 4 is officially in development, and new comments from the film’s directors have sparked major speculation about whether The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor will remain canon in the franchise.

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With Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz both returning, fans are wondering if the controversial 2008 installment will be quietly erased from continuity.

Here’s what we know.

The Legacy of The Mummy Franchise

The original The Mummy launched a beloved action-adventure franchise directed by Stephen Sommers. Starring Fraser as Rick O’Connell and Weisz as Evelyn Carnahan, the film quickly became a fan favorite.

Its success led to:

The Mummy Returns
The prequel spin-off The Scorpion King

In 2008, the franchise continued with The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Fraser reprised his role as Rick O’Connell, but Weisz did not return. Instead, Maria Bello portrayed Evelyn.

Tomb of the Dragon Emperor’s Mixed Reception

While financially successful, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor struggled critically.

It currently holds a 13% Tomatometer score on Rotten Tomatoes based on 174 reviews.
It was the lowest-grossing film in the main Mummy trilogy.
However, it still outperformed The Scorpion King at the box office.

The film introduced several bold elements, including football-playing Yetis and a recast Alex O’Connell, portrayed by Luke Ford.

The Mummy 4 Officially Announced

In 2025, Universal Pictures officially announced that The Mummy 4 is in development. Even more exciting for longtime fans, both Fraser and Weisz are set to return.

Plot details remain under wraps, but the sequel is scheduled for release on May 19, 2028.

The film will be directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.

Directors Hint Tomb of the Dragon Emperor May Not Be Canon

When asked whether Tomb of the Dragon Emperor would remain canon, Bettinelli-Olpin responded:

“Well, Rachel [Weisz] is in this one,”

Gillett added:

“That should answer the question for you.”

Those comments strongly suggest that the 2008 film may not be part of the official timeline moving forward. Since Weisz did not appear in Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, her return could signal a continuity reset.

What Happens to Alex O’Connell?

If Tomb of the Dragon Emperor is removed from canon, major continuity questions arise — especially regarding Rick and Evelyn’s son, Alex.

In Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Alex was played by Luke Ford.
In The Mummy Returns, the younger version of the character was portrayed by Freddie Boath.

If the 2008 film is excluded, Alex’s last chronological appearance would revert to The Mummy Returns, potentially allowing the character to be reintroduced in a different way in The Mummy 4.