Universal Eyes Major Star for The Mummy 4 and Ambitious New Franchise

Alright, dust off your ancient relics and practice your best power-stance, because there might be another trip to the desert coming up. Universal Pictures is reportedly working to bring back the Brendan Fraser 'Mummy' franchise, and if the internet grapevine has any juice, a certain Scorpion King could be crawling back into the action.

Is The Rock Ready to Flex Ancient Muscles Again?

Here’s the deal, according to very-online rumor wrangler Daniel Richtman: Universal is actively trying to lure Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson back—both for a brand new Scorpion King project and, at the very least, a cameo in the next 'Mummy' movie. Richtman's word is that the studio wants to sign Johnson on for multiple movies (so, expect plenty of digital sand and high-gloss pecs, if it happens).

Of course, nothing is set in stone just yet. Richtman didn’t specify if Johnson would be chewing scenery as the main baddie again, if Mathayus would finally get his own redemption arc, or if this is just a glorified drive-by appearance. But the intent seems pretty clear: Universal wants The Rock attached to this ancient adventure, however they can get him.

How Interested Is Dwayne Johnson?

Actually, The Rock seems pretty open to putting on the ancient armor again. Back in December 2023 (not a typo—don’t panic, you didn’t miss a year), he told Entertainment Tonight:

'I don’t know. I’m always open. To be clear, that is Brendan Fraser’s franchise. I love that man. He’s one of my great supporters. We support each other, and if they want to call the Scorpion King, I know a guy who knows a guy…I would certainly consider it. Yeah, because also, that franchise changed my life.'

Translation: Nobody’s called him officially quite yet, but he isn’t slamming the sarcophagus lid shut either.

Quick Refresher: How Did We Get Here?

• Dwayne Johnson first showed up as the Scorpion King (real name: Mathayus) in 2001’s 'The Mummy Returns', chewing digital scenery as the villain du jour.
• The character proved popular enough—or at least profitable enough—to get his own spin-off movie, 'The Scorpion King', in 2002, which kicked off a weird, direct-to-video-filled franchise.
• Cut to 2024: the idea of bringing that back is floating out there, with both a new solo adventure and a cross-over with the forthcoming 'Mummy 4' in Universal's crosshairs.

So What's Confirmed?

Honestly? Absolutely nothing. Universal has yet to put out an official press release, a teaser, or even a cryptic tweet about Fraser, Johnson, or anyone else dusting off their desert duds for a new movie. No script details, no director, nothing about who’s back on set, and no hint of a release date. Basically, this is all ambition and nostalgia for now—though not without some heat behind the rumors.

Bottom line: The idea of Dwayne Johnson revisiting his sarcophagus is on the table, but until Universal coughs up more than 'we're interested,' don't break out your ancient curses or movie marathons just yet. But hey, it's Hollywood—a mummy is never dead for long.