Brendan Fraser is back for a new ‘Mummy’ movie — should Universal update coaster?
Brendan Fraser “Mummy” fans are celebrating the actor’s 2028 return, but should Universal update the Revenge of the Mummy roller coaster to match the franchise revival?
After years of rumors and fan wish lists, “The Mummy” franchise is officially returning to theaters with the stars who made it iconic. Oscar winners Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz are confirmed to reprise their roles as Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan-O’Connell, respectively, in a new installment slated for May 19, 2028, according to The Hollywood Reporter. This new sequel is being directed by the duo Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (of “Scream” fame) and marks the first true continuation of the original franchise since 2008.
This announcement of a Brendan Fraser “Mummy” movie has sparked excitement among fans. It also reignited a long-running debate in theme park circles: Should Universal revamp its Revenge of the Mummy rides in Florida and California? Should the coasters have a direct tie-in to 2028’s “Mummy” film?
Brendan Fraser ‘Mummy’ movie is official — nostalgia meets modern blockbuster energy
Images throughout courtesy of Universal
The official “Mummy 4” announcement, with Fraser and Weisz returning, validates what fans have been hoping for: a sequel that feels connected to the movies that defined the franchise’s early success. The film’s release date, May 19, 2028, positions it as a tentpole summer experience with broad appeal for families and adults alike.
This decision taps into a wave of legacy sequels. These films honor the past while updating the material for new audiences, such as “Top Gun: Maverick” and “Jurassic World.” The potential payoff for Universal isn’t just box office revenue. This could lead to revitalized intellectual property, and that’s where the theme parks come in.
Revenge of the Mummy: Still a classic, but showing its age
Revenge of the Mummy opened in 2004 at Universal Studios Florida and Universal Studios Hollywood, and has endured as one of the parks’ most iconic attractions. The enclosed, dark coaster experience propels riders through Imhotep’s cursed tomb, featuring launches, scares, and a classic atmosphere tied to the original franchise.
Despite being beloved and regularly ranking among the top rides at Universal Studios Florida, the technology, effects, and story elements feel distinctly 2000s. A safety video was recently updated, but the core ride hasn’t been significantly reimagined in the past few years.
So the question becomes: in the age of immersive, narrative-driven park experiences, is it time for Mummy’s makeover? Or should Universal leave the classic alone?
What other movie tie-ins teach us
Universal has experimented with different approaches to movie–park synergy, with mixed results.
Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift
Universal is currently rolling out Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift, a brand-new, high-speed outdoor coaster themed to the “Fast & Furious” franchise. The Hollywood version opens in summer 2026, and a similar ride is planned for Universal Studios Florida in 2027.
This is a clear example of Universal building an entire attraction around a movie franchise, complete with immersive ride mechanics. For this attraction, it will be spinning cars and drift sensations meant to put riders in the heart of that film world.
It’s a big investment tied closely to one of Universal’s biggest movie intellectual properties. Crucially, the opening of the coaster serves as a major advertisement for the upcoming film “Fast Forever,” in theaters March 17, 2028.
Of course, we know how the Fast & Furious – Supercharged attraction went over at both parks. That movie tie-in strategy failed, leading to its 2025 closure on the west coast and future closure in 2027 on the east coast.
‘Minions’ and ‘Despicable Me’ rides
Photo by Attractions Magazine
Meanwhile, Universal’s Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction and expanded Minion Land at both Universal Orlando and Hollywood demonstrate a different style of movie tie-in.
These attractions immerse guests in the “Despicable Me” universe through themed lands, rides, dining, and character interactions. They don’t rely on a single movie’s release window, but instead build a long-running guest experience around the franchise’s ongoing popularity.
The Minions approach shows how movies can translate into ongoing theme park presences without requiring constant updates whenever a film comes out.
That being said, Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast opened just one year after “Minions: The Rise of Gru” released in theaters, so the ride’s characters were fresh on the minds of guests who follow the franchise.
Evolve, but don’t erase
With “The Mummy 4” officially on the calendar and fans buzzing about the return of Fraser and Weisz, Universal has a strategic moment to elevate its Revenge of the Mummy attractions. Here’s what I think:
Yes, update the rides, but do it smartly
Universal shouldn’t simply paint the same ride with new logos and call it a day. Instead, the parks could:
- Add a new pre-show or queue narrative that ties directly into the storyline of “The Mummy 4.” The current queue video at Universal Studios Florida has a nostalgic feel. However, many guests don’t understand what is happening in that video or why the coffee cup sequence matters. This could be easily updated for “Mummy 4.”
- Incorporate updated projection scenes, music cues, or even digital effects that reference the new film’s visuals. The old technology should be replaced with updated versions. In Florida, guests have experienced minor technological updates to Revenge of the Mummy. With the new Brendan Fraser “Mummy” movie, Universal has a chance to update more of the ride.
- Retain the core coaster experience riders love while infusing it with fresh movie lore that enhances immersion.
This approach echoes what Universal did well with other IPs: give guests a sense that they’re stepping into today’s films while preserving the ride’s classic heart.
Don’t strip away what fans love
One of the biggest dangers would be gutting the ride entirely in favor of a generic or overhauled experience that loses the original’s atmosphere. Fans of the current coaster at Universal Studios Florida might revolt if the “cup of coffee” element disappeared.
(At the end of the attraction, rider’s see a video in which Fraser yells, “I would’ve enjoyed this interview a lot more if I had just gotten my cup of coffee!” This closes the loop on a story thread from the queue in which a set intern, Reggie, is tasked with bringing Fraser his coffee. Reggie unfortunately perishes during the events of the ride, pictured above. The intricacy of this subplot goes over the heads of most riders, but Fraser’s “cup of coffee” line remains a memorable staple of the ride.)
Universal Studios Florida version vs. Universal Studios Hollywood version
While both versions of Revenge of the Mummy share a name and the same high-speed aspects, they offer distinct experiences shaped by the buildings that house them.
The Orlando version (Florida) features a meta-story: you are visiting a movie set for a fictional “Mummy” sequel. The queue is a “behind-the-scenes” tour that transitions into a cursed tomb, famously starring Brendan Fraser. In contrast, Hollywood skips the movie-set pretense entirely. Riders enter a 1944 archaeological dig site during a mystical eclipse, making for a more straightforward, immersive horror atmosphere without the “fourth wall” humor found in Florida.
Regarding changes for the Universal Studios Hollywood version, the attraction is more of a blank slate. Universal could overhaul the entire attraction with the plot of “Mummy 4” without too much backlash. However, the question becomes, is that worth it for Universal Studios Hollywood? That park is going through major changes. Would leadership want to add more refurbishments to a park with many at the moment?
A balanced future at the parks
In my view, Universal should lean into the excitement around “Mummy 4” without bulldozing the attraction that helped cement its theme park legacy. A carefully designed update can:
- boost buzz for both the movie and the parks
- offer something fresh for new guests and longtime fans alike
- position “The Mummy” as a living, evolving part of Universal’s storytelling ecosystem, like the Minions
In a world where theme parks increasingly blur the line between cinema and ride experience, this kind of thoughtful evolution is exactly what will keep both the franchise and Revenge of the Mummy attraction relevant for decades to come.
Stay connected with AttractionsMagazine.com for daily coverage of theme park news, trip reports, and exclusive interviews from Disney, Universal, Six Flags, and independent attractions around the world.
Follow us:
No matter where you want to go, our trusted partner MEI-Travel will handle the planning so you can focus on the memories. They offer free vacation-planning services and have nearly 20 years of experience creating memorable vacations. Visit MEI-Travel for a fee-free, no-obligation quote today.
