Ardeth Bay Is Back: Oded Fehr Officially Returns for The Mummy 4
The Medjai are riding again.
Oded Fehr is officially returning as Ardeth Bay in Universal’s upcoming fourth Mummy adventure, reuniting with Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and John Hannah more than two decades after their last onscreen battle against the undead.
Entertainment Weekly confirmed that Fehr has closed his deal to reprise the fan-favorite warrior he played in 1999’s The Mummy and 2001’s The Mummy Returns. Kevin J. O’Connor is also returning as Rick O’Connell’s treacherous former companion, Beni Gabor, while Numan Acar has joined the film in an undisclosed new role.
The growing cast makes the new movie look less like a conventional reboot and increasingly like a genuine continuation of the beloved Brendan Fraser era.
Universal has not announced the final title or revealed the plot. The studio currently lists the project simply as The Mummy Franchise, with a theatrical release scheduled for October 15, 2027.
What is already clear, however, is that the filmmakers are rebuilding the ensemble that made Stephen Sommers’ original movies work.
Rick and Evelyn are back.
Jonathan is back.
Ardeth Bay is back.
Against all apparent logic, Beni is back too.
For longtime fans, this is beginning to feel like the reunion they had almost stopped expecting.
Oded Fehr’s Return Is Official
Early discussions about the new movie focused primarily on Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz.
Fraser is reprising his role as adventurer Rick O’Connell, while Weisz will return as Egyptologist Evelyn O’Connell for the first time since The Mummy Returns. John Hannah subsequently joined them as Evelyn’s brother, Jonathan Carnahan.
The addition of Oded Fehr completes another essential part of the original team.
Entertainment Weekly reported on August 4, 2026, that Fehr and Kevin J. O’Connor would return in the upcoming fourth installment. Deadline first reported that both actors had completed deals, alongside the casting of Numan Acar.
Fehr’s involvement is therefore no longer merely a fan request or an actor expressing interest.
He is officially part of the returning cast.
Who Is Ardeth Bay?
Ardeth Bay is the leader of the Medjai, a sacred brotherhood charged with preventing the resurrection of Imhotep and protecting the world from the curse associated with Hamunaptra.
He first appeared in The Mummy as a mysterious warrior warning Rick, Evelyn, Jonathan and their fellow explorers to leave the City of the Dead before they awakened something they could not control.
They ignored him.
Evelyn read from the Book of the Dead, Imhotep returned, and Ardeth’s warnings became terrifyingly justified.
Although he initially seemed positioned as an obstacle to the protagonists, Ardeth soon became one of their most reliable allies. He fought beside Rick, shared his knowledge of the ancient curse and remained committed to protecting humanity even when the odds appeared hopeless.
Fehr returned in The Mummy Returns, where Ardeth helped the O’Connell family confront Imhotep’s resurrection and the approaching Army of Anubis.
His presence gave the movies something more than action.
Ardeth represented the weight of history.
Rick was brave and resourceful, but he often entered ancient conflicts without fully understanding them. Evelyn understood the language, archaeology and mythology. Ardeth understood the responsibility that came with that knowledge.
He knew some tombs should remain closed.
Imrul
Why Ardeth Bay Became a Fan Favorite
Ardeth Bay could easily have been written as a one-dimensional warrior who appeared only to explain the curse and assist during fight scenes.
Oded Fehr made him far more memorable.
The character combined:
- Authority
- Loyalty
- Physical confidence
- Dry humor
- Spiritual responsibility
- Tactical intelligence
- Respect for history
- Genuine friendship with Rick
Fehr played Ardeth with complete seriousness without making him humorless.
He never appeared embarrassed by the film’s supernatural mythology. Whether facing mummified priests, sandstorms shaped like human faces or an army of jackal-headed warriors, he treated the danger as real.
That sincerity helped the entire movie work.
The original Mummy succeeded because its characters did not behave as though they knew they were inside a campy adventure. The humor came naturally from personality and circumstance, while the curse remained genuinely threatening.
Ardeth was central to maintaining that balance.
The Friendship Between Ardeth and Rick
One of the most enjoyable relationships in the franchise developed between Ardeth Bay and Rick O’Connell.
They began on opposing sides.
Ardeth tried to drive outsiders away from Hamunaptra. Rick returned despite the warning, partly for treasure and partly because Evelyn wanted to find the lost city.
Once Imhotep awakened, their conflict gave way to mutual respect.
Both men were capable fighters, but their personalities differed considerably.
Rick relied on instinct, improvisation and an astonishing ability to survive disasters.
Ardeth relied on discipline, tradition and knowledge passed down through generations of Medjai guardians.
They did not need lengthy speeches explaining their friendship. It emerged through action.
They saved one another.
They trusted each other during battle.
They exchanged humor without weakening the seriousness of the situation.
By The Mummy Returns, Ardeth was no longer simply an ally encountered during an expedition. He was clearly part of the O’Connells’ extended circle.
Seeing Fehr and Fraser together again offers the new film an opportunity to explore how that friendship has changed after decades.
What Has Ardeth Been Doing All These Years?
Universal has not revealed the plot, so Ardeth’s current status remains unknown.
The passage of time creates several intriguing possibilities.
Ardeth may still lead the Medjai
The Medjai could remain active, guarding supernatural sites and preventing ancient powers from returning.
An aging Ardeth might now command a larger organization, train a younger generation or struggle to maintain traditions in a changing world.
The Medjai may be in danger
The new threat could begin by targeting the guardians who once prevented ancient forces from entering the modern world.
Ardeth might seek Rick and Evelyn because the Medjai can no longer contain the danger alone.
Ardeth may have been protecting a secret from the O’Connells
Perhaps the heroes never learned the complete truth about Imhotep, Hamunaptra or another forbidden site.
Ardeth could return carrying information that changes how Rick and Evelyn understand their earlier adventures.
He may be the person who brings the team together
A warning from Ardeth would provide a natural reason for Rick, Evelyn and Jonathan to leave retirement and return to Egypt—or travel to another region connected with the same ancient mythology.
The story may introduce a new Medjai generation
The film could explore Ardeth’s legacy through children, students or younger guardians.
This would allow the movie to introduce new characters without pushing the original cast aside.
The Original Ensemble Is Reassembling
Oded Fehr’s return matters because the appeal of The Mummy was never created by Brendan Fraser alone.
Fraser’s performance as Rick O’Connell was essential, but the film became enduringly popular because of the chemistry surrounding him.
Brendan Fraser as Rick O’Connell
Rick supplied the physical courage, action and swagger.
He could shoot his way out of a collapsing tomb, fight supernatural creatures and deliver a joke without disrupting the adventure.
Fraser has already begun preparing physically for his return and has described the project as a chance to get the original “band” back together.
Rachel Weisz as Evelyn O’Connell
Evelyn brought intelligence, curiosity and emotional warmth.
She was never merely someone Rick needed to rescue. Her scholarship awakened Imhotep, but it also provided the knowledge required to defeat him.
The upcoming movie will mark Weisz’s first appearance as Evelyn since 2001. Variety confirmed that Fraser and Weisz are reprising Rick and Evelyn in the still-untitled fourth installment.
John Hannah as Jonathan Carnahan
Jonathan contributed comedy, greed, charm and surprising bravery.
Variety confirmed Hannah’s return in March 2026, reporting that he would reunite with Fraser and Weisz under the direction of Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett.
Oded Fehr as Ardeth Bay
Ardeth contributes mythology, duty and the authority of the Medjai.
His return makes the ensemble feel structurally complete rather than merely nostalgic.
Kevin J. O’Connor as Beni Gabor
Beni contributes a different kind of nostalgia.
He is not a heroic member of the team. He is selfish, cowardly, opportunistic and consistently willing to betray anyone if he believes it will help him survive.
His inexplicable return may offer the first major clue about the new film’s supernatural direction.
Beni Gabor Is Somehow Coming Back
Kevin J. O’Connor’s casting is arguably even more surprising than Fehr’s.
Beni appeared to meet a very final fate in the original movie.
After betraying Rick, serving Imhotep and helping strip Hamunaptra of its treasures, Beni became trapped inside the collapsing city. His torch went out, scarabs surrounded him and his screams echoed through the darkness.
The scene did not leave much room for an ordinary escape.
Yet O’Connor is officially returning as Beni Gabor. Entertainment Weekly confirmed that he will appear alongside Fraser, Weisz, Hannah and Fehr.
That raises several possibilities.
Beni survived
The simplest explanation is that Beni somehow escaped.
This would be consistent with his remarkable instinct for self-preservation, although surviving a sealed chamber filled with flesh-eating scarabs would require a convincing explanation.
Beni is resurrected
The franchise revolves around ancient rituals capable of returning the dead to life.
Someone could deliberately resurrect Beni, or he could return as an unintended consequence of reviving another character.
Beni has become undead
He may no longer be entirely human.
A cursed or partially mummified Beni could retain the character’s humor while giving him a new supernatural role.
O’Connor could appear in flashbacks
The story might return to an unseen event from Rick and Beni’s past, perhaps during their service in the French Foreign Legion.
The new film may alter continuity
The filmmakers might selectively follow the first two movies while changing details or introducing a supernatural explanation that rewrites previous events.
Time travel or visions could be involved
Nothing currently confirms a time-travel plot, but the return of apparently dead characters makes unconventional storytelling possible.
Whatever the explanation, Beni’s return suggests that the film will not be a restrained archaeological drama.
The supernatural rules of the franchise are clearly still in play.
Numan Acar Joins in a New Role
Numan Acar has joined the cast in an undisclosed role.
Deadline reported his casting alongside the deals completed by Fehr and O’Connor, while Entertainment Weekly subsequently listed him as part of the ensemble.
Acar is known for playing intense, physically imposing and morally complicated characters.
His role could involve:
- A new warrior
- A rival guardian
- An archaeologist
- A military commander
- A member of the Medjai
- A human antagonist
- An ancient supernatural figure
- An ally whose motivations remain unclear
No reliable report has identified his character.
Any specific role descriptions circulating online should therefore be treated as speculation until Universal releases official details.
Michael Johnston has also joined the cast, although his character remains undisclosed.
The presence of younger actors may indicate that the filmmakers intend to introduce a new generation without replacing the original heroes.
Who Is Directing The Mummy 4?
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett are directing.
The duo, commonly associated with the Radio Silence filmmaking collective, previously directed Ready or Not, 2022’s Scream and Scream VI.
Variety confirmed their involvement when the Fraser-Weisz reunion was first reported, while John Hannah’s casting announcement identified David Coggeshall as the screenwriter.
Their background makes them an intriguing fit.
The Fraser-era Mummy movies require a delicate tonal balance:
- The monsters must be frightening.
- The action must feel adventurous.
- The romance must be sincere.
- The humor must come from character.
- The mythology must feel grand.
- The film cannot become so grim that it stops being fun.
Bettinelli-Olpin and Gillett have experience mixing horror with comedy and energetic ensemble dynamics.
Gillett described Coggeshall’s screenplay as beautiful, frightening and sweeping, while Bettinelli-Olpin suggested that Fraser and Weisz would not have joined unless they responded strongly to the script.
The Movie Needs More Than Nostalgia
Reuniting the cast creates excitement, but nostalgia alone cannot sustain a feature-length adventure.
The new film must give these characters a reason to return beyond recreating familiar images.
Rick cannot merely wear his old clothes and shoot mummies again.
Evelyn needs a mystery worthy of her knowledge.
Jonathan needs comic material that feels consistent with an older version of the character rather than forcing him to repeat jokes from 1999.
Ardeth needs an active role connected to the mythology.
Beni’s return needs an explanation that is surprising without feeling arbitrary.
The strongest legacy sequels use time as part of the story.
These characters have aged, built families, suffered losses and presumably lived through many events the audience has not seen. Their relationships should reflect that history.
A new supernatural crisis can bring them together, but the emotional reason for staying together will matter just as much.
Is It Really The Mummy 4?
The movie is widely called The Mummy 4, and Entertainment Weekly described it as the fourth installment starring the returning cast.
Universal has not yet announced that title officially.
The studio’s current webpage calls it The Mummy Franchise and confirms only the October 15, 2027 theatrical date.
The final title could use a subtitle rather than a number.
Possible approaches include:
- A direct The Mummy 4 title
- A title referencing Hamunaptra
- A title involving the Medjai
- A title centered on a new curse
- Another variation of The Mummy Returns
Until Universal reveals its marketing campaign, The Mummy 4 remains the clearest shorthand rather than a confirmed official title.
What Happens to Tomb of the Dragon Emperor?
The upcoming film’s relationship with 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor remains unclear.
Fraser and Hannah appeared in the third installment, but Rachel Weisz did not. Maria Bello played Evelyn, and the story moved away from Egyptian mythology toward China and the Dragon Emperor.
The new film could treat the third movie in several ways:
- Preserve it as canon
- Ignore it without formally removing it
- Continue only from the first two movies
- Retcon parts of its story
- Place the new adventure in a continuity where Weisz always remained Evelyn
- Avoid discussing it entirely
Universal and the directors have not released a definitive continuity explanation.
The returning cast nevertheless suggests that the emotional and mythological foundation will come primarily from the first two films.
Ardeth Bay and Beni are both characters specifically associated with the 1999 Egyptian adventure, while Ardeth also appeared in the 2001 sequel.
Their return pulls the franchise back toward its original identity.
Does Ardeth’s Return Mean Imhotep Is Coming Back?
Not necessarily—but it makes the possibility more compelling.
Ardeth’s central responsibility was preventing Imhotep’s resurrection. If the ancient priest returns, Ardeth would have an obvious reason to rejoin Rick and Evelyn.
Arnold Vosloo has not been included in the latest confirmed cast announcement from Entertainment Weekly or Deadline. The officially reported returning actors are Fraser, Weisz, Hannah, Fehr and O’Connor.
Imhotep could still appear later.
Casting announcements are often released gradually, particularly when a studio wants to preserve a major reveal.
The movie could also introduce a completely different mummy or supernatural enemy.
Ardeth and the Medjai may protect the world from many ancient dangers, not only Imhotep.
For now, Vosloo’s involvement should be treated as unconfirmed.
Could Ardeth Be the Main Character Who Connects Everything?
Among the returning figures, Ardeth may be the easiest character to use as the bridge between past and present.
Rick and Evelyn may have retired from dangerous expeditions.
Jonathan may have pursued business schemes, treasure or a comfortable life.
Beni was apparently dead.
Ardeth, however, belongs to an organization whose mission could continue across generations.
He may be the first person to recognize that something is wrong.
He could uncover evidence of a returning curse, discover that a Medjai site has been attacked or realize that an ancient enemy has been deliberately awakened.
That would give him an active narrative function rather than treating his appearance as a cameo.
A powerful opening could even follow Ardeth and the Medjai encountering the threat before he travels to find the O’Connells.
The October 2027 Release Date Is Perfect for the Franchise
The movie will arrive in theaters on October 15, 2027.
Universal initially scheduled the project for May 2028 before moving it forward to the October date. Variety reported that the still-untitled film would take the earlier slot, while Universal’s official calendar now lists October 15, 2027.
October is an excellent position for The Mummy.
The franchise sits between summer adventure and Halloween horror.
It contains undead monsters, curses, tombs and supernatural imagery, but its tone is more playful and romantic than conventional horror.
An October release allows Universal to market both sides:
- A large-scale theatrical adventure
- A nostalgic character reunion
- A supernatural Halloween event
- A horror-comedy experience
- A family-accessible blockbuster for older children and adults
The date also suggests the studio sees the project as a major theatrical release rather than a smaller streaming revival.
Why This Reunion Matters
Many legacy sequels bring back one recognizable star while surrounding that actor with a mostly new cast.
The new Mummy film is taking a different approach.
It is restoring the relationships audiences remember.
Rick without Evelyn would feel incomplete.
Rick and Evelyn without Jonathan would lose much of the comedy.
The O’Connells without Ardeth would lose an important connection to the ancient mythology.
The return of Beni adds unpredictability and a direct link to the first movie’s villainous side.
The reunion also matters because these actors helped create a rare blockbuster tone that modern films often struggle to reproduce.
The original was frightening without becoming miserable.
It was funny without treating every emotional moment as a joke.
It was romantic without stopping the adventure.
It used visual effects while still relying heavily on character chemistry, sets, locations, physical action and memorable supporting performances.
Reuniting the cast does not guarantee the same result, but it gives the filmmakers the right foundation.
Who Else Could Return?
Several performers remain at the top of fan wish lists.
Arnold Vosloo as Imhotep
Vosloo’s Imhotep remains the franchise’s defining antagonist.
His return would complete the central conflict from the first two films, although no current trade confirmation lists him among the finalized cast.
Patricia Velásquez as Anck-su-namun
Anck-su-namun’s relationship with Imhotep drove much of the original mythology.
Her final betrayal in The Mummy Returns appeared to end their tragic romance, but the franchise’s resurrection magic leaves many possibilities open.
Freddie Boath or another actor as Alex O’Connell
Rick and Evelyn’s son played a major role in The Mummy Returns.
The character was later portrayed as an adult by Luke Ford in Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. The new film will eventually need to explain where Alex is and how he fits into the O’Connell family’s current life.
Erick Avari as Dr. Bey
Dr. Bey was secretly associated with the Medjai and helped explain Imhotep’s curse in the first film.
His return could strengthen the archaeological and historical side of the story.
Dwayne Johnson as the Scorpion King
Johnson originated the Scorpion King role in The Mummy Returns, although no reliable announcement suggests that he is joining the new movie.
A return would attract enormous attention but could overwhelm a story already managing a large ensemble.
The Most Accurate Summary of the News
Oded Fehr is officially returning as Ardeth Bay in the upcoming fourth Mummy movie.
Kevin J. O’Connor has also closed a deal to reprise Beni Gabor, while Numan Acar has joined the cast in a new, undisclosed role. They join Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and John Hannah, with Michael Johnston also part of the ensemble.
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett will direct from a screenplay by David Coggeshall.
The movie does not yet have a publicly announced final title or synopsis.
Universal will release it theatrically on October 15, 2027.
The Verdict
Ardeth Bay’s return is a major victory for fans because it confirms that the new movie is interested in more than placing Brendan Fraser back inside an ancient tomb.
It is rebuilding the original world.
Oded Fehr gave the first two films a warrior who could stand beside Rick without becoming his rival, explain the mythology without becoming an exposition machine and carry the seriousness of the supernatural threat without losing the franchise’s adventurous spirit.
Bringing him back creates countless possibilities.
He could lead the Medjai.
He could arrive with a warning.
He could seek the O’Connells’ help.
He could introduce a new generation of guardians.
He could once again find himself fighting beside Rick as the dead rise and Jonathan looks for the nearest exit.
Whatever the story becomes, seeing Ardeth Bay alongside Rick, Evelyn and Jonathan again will carry emotional weight that no newly invented character could reproduce.
The Medjai warrior has returned.
Now the only question is what ancient horror was dangerous enough to bring the entire group back together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oded Fehr officially returning as Ardeth Bay?
Yes. Entertainment Weekly confirmed that Oded Fehr will reprise Ardeth Bay in the upcoming fourth Mummy movie, following Deadline’s report that he had completed his deal.
Is Kevin J. O’Connor returning as Beni?
Yes. O’Connor has also closed a deal to return as Beni Gabor.
How can Beni return after dying?
The explanation has not been revealed. Resurrection, flashbacks, altered continuity, undead existence or an unexpected survival are all possible.
Is Brendan Fraser returning as Rick O’Connell?
Yes. Fraser will reprise Rick O’Connell and has publicly discussed training for the role.
Is Rachel Weisz returning as Evelyn?
Yes. Weisz will return as Evelyn O’Connell for the first time since The Mummy Returns.
Is John Hannah returning as Jonathan?
Yes. Variety confirmed that Hannah will reprise Jonathan Carnahan.
Who is Numan Acar playing?
His role has not been announced.
Is Michael Johnston in the movie?
Yes. Entertainment Weekly listed Johnston among the new film’s cast, although his character remains undisclosed.
Is Arnold Vosloo officially returning as Imhotep?
Not according to the latest confirmed cast reports. His involvement remains unannounced.
Is Patricia Velásquez returning as Anck-su-namun?
No reliable casting announcement currently confirms her return.
Who is directing The Mummy 4?
Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the directors behind Ready or Not, Scream and Scream VI, are directing.
Who wrote the screenplay?
David Coggeshall wrote the screenplay.
What is the release date?
Universal has scheduled the movie for October 15, 2027.
Was the release originally planned for 2028?
Yes. The movie was previously scheduled for May 2028 before Universal moved it forward to October 15, 2027.
Is The Mummy 4 the official title?
No final title has been announced. Universal currently lists the project as The Mummy Franchise.
Will the story take place in Egypt?
Universal has not revealed the setting. Ardeth’s return makes an Egyptian or Medjai-related storyline plausible, but it is not confirmed.
Will the movie follow Tomb of the Dragon Emperor?
Its relationship with the third Fraser movie remains unclear.
Will Alex O’Connell return?
No casting announcement has confirmed the return of Alex O’Connell.
Is Ardeth Bay the leader of the Medjai?
In the original films, he was presented as a leading Medjai warrior responsible for protecting the world from Imhotep and the curse of Hamunaptra.
Was Ardeth Bay in all three Brendan Fraser films?
No. He appeared in The Mummy and The Mummy Returns but not in Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.
Why did Ardeth warn everyone to avoid Hamunaptra?
The Medjai had guarded the site for generations to prevent anyone from resurrecting Imhotep.
Will Ardeth fight Imhotep again?
That has not been confirmed because Arnold Vosloo’s involvement and the plot remain unannounced.
Is the movie a reboot?
It appears to be a legacy continuation featuring actors reprising their established characters rather than a complete reboot with a new cast.
When will a trailer be released?
Universal has not announced a trailer date.
Has filming started?
The project is actively moving forward, but a comprehensive public announcement detailing principal photography has not yet been released.
Why is Oded Fehr’s return important?
Ardeth Bay connects the heroes to the Medjai, Egyptian mythology and the supernatural responsibilities established in the first two films. His return makes the movie feel like a continuation of the original ensemble rather than a Rick O’Connell solo revival.
Who else do fans most want to return?
Arnold Vosloo as Imhotep, Patricia Velásquez as Anck-su-namun and a version of Alex O’Connell remain among the most discussed possibilities.
What is currently confirmed about the cast?
The publicly reported cast includes Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Oded Fehr, Kevin J. O’Connor, Michael Johnston and Numan Acar.
What is the biggest unanswered question?
The largest mystery is how Beni returns—and whether his impossible survival signals that Imhotep or another ancient supernatural power will rise with him.
