The horror landscape is about to get a double dose of mummies. While anticipation builds for Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz to reprise their roles in a new installment of the adventure franchise, another capture on the ancient Egyptian monster is creeping into theaters this April. Lee Cronin, the director behind the visceral horror film Evil Dead Rise, is delivering a distinctly different vision of The Mummy, one that trades swashbuckling adventure for chilling suspense. The first full trailer for Lee Cronin’s The Mummy has arrived, making it abundantly clear that this is not your parents’ mummy movie.
The film centers on a family grappling with a terrifying discovery: their daughter, missing for eight years, has been found. However, her return is far from a joyful reunion. She’s been unearthed from a 3,000-year-old sarcophagus and she is irrevocably changed. The trailer, released earlier this month, offers a glimpse into the escalating horror as the parents, played by Jack Reynor and Laia Costa, confront the unsettling reality of their daughter, Katie, portrayed by Natalie Grace. The film promises a deeply unsettling and intense experience, a stark contrast to the more action-oriented tone of the earlier Mummy films.
Cronin’s approach is a deliberate departure from the franchise’s past, aiming for a more grounded and terrifying experience. As noted by multiple sources, this is a vision far removed from the theme park-ready adventures of the earlier films. The question at the heart of the trailer – “What happened to Katie?” – drives a narrative focused on psychological horror and the unraveling of a family’s sanity. The film’s intensity is a clear signal that this is a horror experience meant to be consumed in a darkened theater, not recreated at a Universal Studios attraction.
A Tale of Two Mummies
The existence of two separate Mummy projects initially sparked confusion among fans. News broke in February 2026 that Fraser and Weisz would be returning for a sequel to the 1999 adventure film, a prospect that excited many who fondly remember their on-screen chemistry. However, Cronin had already been developing his own take on the classic monster, following the failed attempt to launch a “Dark Universe” with Tom Cruise’s 2017 reboot. The release of the trailer for Lee Cronin’s The Mummy effectively clarifies the distinction between the two projects.
While details surrounding the Fraser and Weisz-led Mummy remain somewhat scarce, it’s understood to be a continuation of the original franchise’s swashbuckling spirit. That film is currently slated for a May 19, 2028, release, nearly 20 years after Brendan Fraser’s last appearance as Rick O’Connell in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Cronin’s film, however, is positioned as a standalone horror experience, offering a drastically different interpretation of the mythos. The potential for two concurrent Mummy franchises raises questions about Universal’s long-term strategy for the property, and whether a new “Dark Universe” could ultimately emerge.
Lee Cronin’s Horror Pedigree
Lee Cronin is no stranger to the horror genre. He gained critical acclaim for his work on Evil Dead Rise, a gruesome and critically well-received reboot of the classic horror franchise. His ability to blend practical effects with psychological tension has earned him a reputation as a rising star in the horror world. Cronin’s involvement signals a commitment to delivering a genuinely frightening experience with The Mummy, moving away from the action-adventure elements that defined the earlier films.
The script for Lee Cronin’s The Mummy was penned by David Coggeshall, the writer behind Orphan: First Kill. This further reinforces the film’s horror-focused direction. The creative team’s combined experience suggests a deliberate effort to tap into the darker, more unsettling aspects of the mummy mythos, exploring themes of possession, trauma, and the corruption of innocence.
What to Expect When The Mummy Returns
Lee Cronin’s The Mummy is scheduled to arrive in theaters on April 17. The film promises a chilling exploration of the consequences of disturbing an ancient evil. The trailer hints at a slow-burn horror experience, focusing on the psychological toll of Katie’s return and the unraveling of her family’s lives. Audiences can expect a visually disturbing and emotionally unsettling film that prioritizes atmosphere and suspense over action and spectacle.
The success of Lee Cronin’s The Mummy could pave the way for a new era of monster movies, potentially revitalizing Universal’s classic horror properties. Whether it will coexist peacefully with the upcoming Fraser and Weisz sequel remains to be seen. For now, horror fans have a terrifying new chapter in the Mummy saga to anticipate.
The next key date for fans of the franchise is May 19, 2028, when Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are set to return in the continuation of the original series.
What are your thoughts on the new direction for The Mummy? Share your reactions in the comments below.
