John hannah returns as jonathan carnahan in the mummy 4

John Hannah is set to resurrect his roguish character, Jonathan Carnahan, for the fourth installment in the Mummy franchise. The actor, a familiar face from the first three films, will reprise his role as the unscrupulous brother of Rachel Weisz’s Evelyn O’Connell. The news arrives with a surprising timeline: May 19, 2028 is the slated theatrical release date.

A familiar antagonist returns

Hannah’s Jonathan is a key element of the original trilogy’s charm – a wisecracking thief always scheming for a quick score alongside his sister and Evy’s husband, Rick O’Connell. While Maria Bello stepped into Weisz’s role in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (the film’s canonical status is now questionable), Jonathan remained a consistent and memorable presence.

Since the last Mummy film, Hannah has built a diverse career, including notable roles in Spartacus: Blood and Sand and Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, as well as appearances in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Black Mirror. His recent work in The Last of Us further demonstrates his versatility.

The Mummy 4 is being directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence, known for their work on Ready or Not and Scream 6. The screenplay is penned by David Coggeshall, who previously worked on The Family Plan. Filming is expected to commence this fall in London and Morocco.

The franchise reboot under Universal has been a long and winding road, but the return of Hannah’s character suggests a desire to recapture some of the original films' playful spirit. Whether this resurrection will resonate with audiences remains to be seen, but the announcement itself provides a welcome jolt of nostalgia.