\n\t\t\t\t\tMichael Johnston, whose breakout turn in the $750,000 indie hit Obsession became one of 2026’s biggest box office surprises, is in early talks to join Universal’s fourth Mummy film. The untitled legacy sequel already has Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz returning as Rick and Evelyn, with John Hannah back as Jonathan. Deadline notes there’s no clarity yet on which part Johnston might play, and the deal remains unfinalized.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
Michael Johnston went from a $750,000 horror indie to one of Hollywood\u2019s most talked-about names in a matter of months, and now Universal wants him in the desert with Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz<\/a>. The actor, who turned Focus Features\u2019 \u201cObsession\u201d into a $458 million sleeper hit, is in early talks to join the long-gestating fourth \u201cMummy\u201d film, according to The Hollywood Reporter, Deadline and Variety. Fraser and Weisz are already locked in to reprise Rick O\u2019Connell and Evelyn Carnahan, alongside John Hannah\u2019s returning Jonathan Carnahan, with Radio Silence\u2019s Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett directing from a script by David Coggeshall. As Deadline put it, \u201cNo word yet on the role to be played by Johnston,\u201d leaving fans to guess how the newcomer fits into a franchise now aiming for an October 15, 2027 release.<\/p>\n A breakout star circles the returning franchise<\/p>\n Universal\u2019s fourth Mummy film keeps gathering momentum. Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are confirmed to reprise Rick O\u2019Connell and Evelyn Carnahan, with John Hannah back as Evelyn\u2019s brother Jonathan. Now the untitled legacy sequel may add its first new face: Michael Johnston, this year\u2019s biggest horror discovery, is in early talks to join the cast<\/a>, though his deal has not yet closed.<\/p>\n From a $750,000 indie to a tentpole<\/p>\n Johnston\u2019s rise has been swift. He led Obsession, a Focus Features horror film produced for just $750,000 that went on to gross roughly $458 million worldwide<\/a>, a breakout few in the industry saw coming. What part would he play opposite Fraser and Weisz? Universal is keeping that under wraps for now. \u201cNo word yet on the role to be played by Johnston,\u201d Deadline reported.<\/p>\n Radio Silence takes the reins<\/p>\n Behind the camera, Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the duo known as Radio Silence, will direct. The pair previously delivered Ready or Not and the two most recent Scream installments, a track record that fits the franchise\u2019s blend of adventure and scares. David Coggeshall, whose credits include Orphan: First Kill and The Family Plan, wrote the script.<\/p>\n The producing team mixes old and new guard. Franchise veteran Sean Daniel is joined by William Sherak, James Vanderbilt and Paul Neinstein of Project X Entertainment, along with Clayton Townsend. Fraser himself serves as executive producer alongside Hivemind\u2019s Jason F. Brown.<\/p>\n A Halloween-season date and a fall shoot<\/p>\n