LOS ANGELES, April 10, 2025 — Universal Pictures is hitting the brakes on its attempt to resurrect “The Mummy” franchise, opting for a complete rebrand after disastrous test screenings. The film, now titled “Resurrected,” was initially envisioned as a reboot, but audience reaction has prompted a significant shift in strategy.
A New Title, A New Direction
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The upcoming horror film underwent a major overhaul following negative feedback from early viewers.
The project, helmed by Lee Cronin (“Suppression of Evil: Rebirth of a Legend”), aimed for a fresh start after the 2017 Tom Cruise-led “The Mummy” failed to ignite the box office and derailed previous plans for a connected universe. However, initial test screenings revealed a result “worse than anyone would expect,” according to reports from Feature First. Rumors circulated online—though unconfirmed—that director James Wan (“Aquaman,” “The Conjuring”) reportedly left a screening before it concluded.
Violence and a Departure From Tradition
A key point of criticism centered on the film’s graphic violence. Cronin, praised for his work on “The Suppression of Evil: A Legend Reborn,” apparently dialed up the intensity considerably this time around. One particularly disturbing scene, described by a test viewer as “really disgusting,” involves a scorpion crawling into a character’s mouth and severing their vocal cords, requiring another character to manually manipulate the cords to enable speech.
What makes “Resurrected” different? Unlike previous installments, the film focuses on a family drama, centering on a journalist whose young daughter vanishes in the desert, only to reappear eight years later, bringing a terrifying ordeal with her.
Feedback indicated that “Resurrected” is a stark departure from the adventure-horror tone of the classic “Mummy” films. This disconnect is believed to be the primary reason Universal decided to distance itself from the established brand and market the film as a standalone horror project.
The Story Behind the Scare
Cronin himself foreshadowed this shift in 2024, stating, “It’s not going to be like any ‘Mummy’ movie you’ve seen before. I’m digging deep underground to find something very ancient and very scary.” The film stars Jack Raynor, Laja Kosta, Meijs Kalamavi, Natalia Grace, and Veronika Falcona.
“Resurrected” is currently scheduled for release on April 17, 2025.
- The film formerly known as “The Mummy” has been retitled “Resurrected” after poor test screenings.
- Excessive violence, particularly a gruesome scorpion scene, drew criticism from viewers.
- The plot centers on a family drama involving a missing and reappearing daughter, diverging from the traditional “Mummy” formula.
- Director Lee Cronin warned in 2024 that the film would be unlike previous entries in the franchise.
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