Michael Johnston, who broke through in this year's Focus Features horror film Obsession, is in early talks to join the cast of Universal's Mummy 4, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The project is a legacyquel to the original 1999 franchise film, with Brendan Fraser returning as Rick O'Connell and Rachel Weisz set to reprise her role alongside him.
Johnston played Bear in Obsession, a Curry Barker horror film that became one of Focus Features' stronger performers this year and put Johnston on Hollywood's radar. Before that, he spent years in television, including a recurring role on MTV's Teen Wolf. His specific role in Mummy 4 has not been disclosed, and Universal declined to comment.
Directing the sequel are Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence, whose previous credits include Ready or Not and the Scream franchise revivals. David Coggeshall wrote the screenplay. Clayton Townsend produces, with Fraser and Jason F. Brown of Hivemind serving as executive producers.
The film is dated for a wide theatrical release on October 15, 2027. Whether Johnston's talks will close into a deal remains unconfirmed.
