Dwayne Johnson’s return to The Mummy franchise would be even more meaningful after a recent update. In 1999, Universal released The Mummy, an action-adventure film starring Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz. The film was a hit, and led to the 2001 sequel, The Mummy Returns.
In the sequel, Johnson made his feature film debut as the Scorpion King. While his role in the film is often associated with an infamous CGI moment, it was still the start of an incredibly successful acting career. He reprised the role in 2002’s The Scorpion King, but didn’t return for The Mummy‘s third entry, Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
In 2025, The Mummy 4 was announced, with Fraser and Weisz set to return. While there are no announced plans to bring back Johnson, the film’s recent update sets up an opportunity for a perfect full-circle moment.
The Mummy 4 Releases About 2 Months After Fast Forever
Only a few months after its announcement, The Mummy 4 already has a release date. According to Universal, the upcoming fourth installment will release on May 19, 2028. The film is being directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, who previously directed 2019’s Ready or Not, 2022’s Scream, 2023’s Scream 6, and 2024’s Abigail.
The film’s release date is interesting, as it’s close to another Universal franchise. It was recently announced that Fast Forever, the final installment in the main Fast saga, will release on March 17, 2028. With The Mummy 4‘s new release date, there is now only a two-month gap between these two films.
Fast Forever is premiering five years after Fast X, which ended on a major cliffhanger. While Johnson wasn’t in the last two main installments, he’s expected to return in the upcoming 11th film after appearing in a post-credit scene in Fast X. If he also appeared in The Mummy 4, it could create a special moment for the actor.
Dwayne Johnson’s Mummy Return Would Pair Perfectly With His Fast And Furious Return
Johnson returning to Fast and the Furious and The Mummy within two months would be a full-circle moment for the actor, as both franchises had significant impacts on his acting career. While The Mummy gave him his feature film debut, the Fast franchise made him a superstar.
After building up his popularity as The Rock with the WWE, Johnson began acting in a few TV shows, like That ’70s Show and Star Trek: Voyager. While his theatrical debut in The Mummy Returns wasn’t a leading role, it did lead to his starring role in The Scorpion King.
He then had many other significant roles early in his career, including The Rundown, Gridiron Gang, and The Game Plan. However, 2011’s Fast Five made Johnson a massive star. It was the most successful film in the franchise at that point, and solidified Johnson as a major leading actor in action films.
Johnson’s Scorpion King was defeated at the end of The Mummy Returns, but there’s certainly some mystical way the fourth film could bring him back. Hopefully, the filmmakers can find a way to bring him back, and, in a short timeframe, Johnson can return to two franchises that are important parts of his career.
- Created by
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Stephen Sommers, Nina Wilcox Putnam, Richard Schayer
- First Film
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The Mummy (1932)
- First Episode Air Date
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September 29, 2001