Not everything that’s dead stays buried — especially when it comes to The Mummy. After several attempts to revive the iconic franchise, a new chapter is officially moving forward with director Lee Cronin at the helm and actor Jack Reynor stepping into the lead role as reported in Deadline.
Unlike previous versions that leaned heavily on either pulpy adventure or blockbuster spectacle, Cronin — best known for Evil Dead Rise — is expected to bring a darker, horror-forward sensibility to the material. His 2023 revival of the Evil Dead series earned both critical praise and commercial success, making him a natural choice for Blumhouse and Atomic Monster, who are producing the new film in partnership with New Line Cinema. Cronin will both write and direct the feature, and early signals suggest he’s aiming for a tone closer to supernatural dread than popcorn thrills.
Reynor, best known for roles in Midsommar, Sing Street, and Transformers: Age of Extinction, will play a husband and father who finds himself in the grip of otherworldly forces. While no official plot details have been revealed, the casting choice echoes the strategy behind 1999’s The Mummy, where Brendan Fraser — then far from a household name — became an unexpected action hero. Reynor’s previous work in horror suggests he’s more than capable of handling the psychological and physical demands that come with facing off against ancient curses.
This new iteration arrives nearly a decade after Universal’s ill-fated Dark Universe attempt, which began and ended with Tom Cruise’s 2017 version of The Mummy. That film failed to connect with audiences, effectively mothballing the studio’s grand plans for an interconnected monster franchise.
Legacy hangs heavy over The Mummy name. From Boris Karloff’s original portrayal in 1932 to Fraser’s swashbuckling reboot in the late ’90s, each version has carried its own identity while tapping into the same rich mythology. Cronin’s challenge will be balancing nostalgia with a new perspective — and based on his previous work, he’s unlikely to hold back when it comes to scares.
With cameras set to roll next week in Ireland and more casting news expected soon, anticipation is growing for how Cronin and Reynor will breathe new life into the tomb. For now, fans can only hope that this return to the crypt finally delivers the version of The Mummy that sticks.
The Mummy opens in cinemas on 17 April 2026.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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