Brendan Fraser back as hunky hunter Rick in first pictures of The Mummy 4

Brendan Fraser is back as Rick O’Connell in the fourth The Mummy film (Picture: Shutterstock/ClickNewsandMedia) Brendan Fraser is officially back in his adventurer gear as Rick O’Connell – and apparently years away from The Mummy has done very little to diminish his ability to pull off a leather jacket. The 57-year-old actor has been pictured filming the hotly anticipated fourth instalment in the franchise for the first time, giving fans an early glimpse at the return many have been waiting decades for. Fraser was spotted shooting scenes in Suffolk on Monday, once again sporting the rugged wardrobe of treasure hunter Rick, complete with brown leather jacket, gloves, and trousers. And because this is The Mummy, he was also covered in what appeared to be soot. The Oscar winner appeared to be filming an action sequence involving an enormous rocket-like vehicle, with a former military base transformed into the fictional Daubach Air Base. According to The DailyMail been turned into a speed track, where Rick appears to be attempting to set a record in a silver, blue and red vehicle emblazoned with ‘Great Britain Speed Shop’. The iconic actor once again donned his leather jacker (Picture: ClickNewsandMedia) He looked every bit the soot-stained adventurer (Picture: ClickNewsandMedia) He was all smiles on set (Picture: ClickNewsandMedia) Fraser first played Rick in 2001 (Picture: Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock) American and British flags on its tail seemed to nod to Rick’s transatlantic credentials. Fraser was seen climbing behind the wheel, although a stunt double was also brought in for the rather more hair-raising portions of filming. The vehicle was later seen tearing along the runway past a cheering crowd while leaving an enormous plume of smoke behind it. In other words, Rick O’Connell remains constitutionally incapable of having a quiet day. The new film marks Fraser’s first appearance in the franchise since 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor – but the forthcoming sequel is reportedly choosing to pretend that particular adventure never happened. Instead, the story will pick up decades after 2001’s The Mummy Returns. That allows for another particularly exciting homecoming, as Rachel Weisz is also returning as Evelyn Carnahan. The new film comes in the midst of a career resurgance for Fraser (Picture: Castel Franck/ABACA/Shutterstock) He was also photograhed driving a rocket-like vehicle on set (Picture: ClickNewsandMedia) Weisz, 56, played the librarian-turned-adventurer in the original 1999 blockbuster and its 2001 sequel before Maria Bello took over the role for the third film. Her involvement was confirmed after she was spotted filming outside the British Museum in London just days before Fraser emerged in Suffolk. And they’re not the only familiar faces being dug back up – which, admittedly, feels very appropriate for this franchise. John Hannah is returning as Evelyn’s brother Jonathan, while Arnold Vosloo, who terrorised the O’Connells as Imhotep in the first two films, is also reportedly back. Rachel Weisz is also expected to return to the franchise for the new film (Picture: Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock) Kevin J. O’Connor will also return despite his character Beni meeting a fairly definitive end involving a swarm of flesh-eating scarabs in the original movie. Death, however, has never been an especially insurmountable obstacle in The Mummy universe. Plot details otherwise remain tightly under wraps. This time around, directing duties have gone to Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, the filmmaking duo behind Ready or Not and the fifth and sixth Scream films. For Fraser, returning to one of his most beloved roles comes amid a career resurgence. After years largely away from major leading roles, he made a celebrated comeback that culminated in a Best Actor Oscar for his performance in 2022 drama The Whale. More recently, he has appeared in Rental Family and Second World War drama Pressure, playing Dwight D. Eisenhower opposite Andrew Scott. But for anyone who grew up watching him fight resurrected Egyptian priests while somehow keeping his shirt partially unbuttoned, Rick O’Connell is something altogether different. The currently untitled Mummy sequel is due to hit cinemas on October 15, 2027. Arrow MORE: Penn Badgley’s wife fires back after being blamed for his sex scene ban Arrow MORE: Why are Brad Pitt’s children distancing themselves from him as another drops his name Arrow MORE: Saved by the Bell actor Dennis Haskins dies aged 75 Switched On Get plugged into the week’s must-watch shows, unmissable moments, and expert reviews with Metro TV Editor Sabrina Barr.