The Mummy Returns
Sequel to The Mummy, featuring the Scorpion King and Anubis's army.
The Mummy Returns, a 2001 American fantasy action-adventure film, was both written and directed by Stephen Sommers. Serving as the follow-up to the 1999 film The Mummy, it is the second installment in the franchise. Actors Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, and Patricia Velásquez all returned to their roles from the first movie. Dwayne Johnson, then credited as "The Rock," made his feature film acting debut in this picture. Universal Pictures released it in the United States on May 4, 2001. Like its predecessor, the film performed well commercially, earning $436 million worldwide. This made it the seventh highest-grossing film of 2001 and the most financially successful entry in the series. Critical reception was mixed. A prequel, The Scorpion King, followed in 2002, and an indirect sequel, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, arrived in 2008. A direct sequel is scheduled for release on October 15, 2027.
- release_date
- May 4, 2001
- director
- Stephen Sommers
- box_office
- $436 million worldwide
- series_rank
- Seventh-highest-grossing film of 2001; highest-grossing of the series
- cast
- Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, Patricia Velásquez, Dwayne Johnson
- sequel_status
- Followed by 2002 prequel The Scorpion King and 2008 indirect sequel The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor; direct sequel set for October 15, 2027
Lore & Background
At the oasis, Imhotep restores his love Anck-su-namun's soul into Meela Nais's body, while Evelyn unlocks memories of her past life as Princess Nefertiri. The group battles pygmy mummies, and Rick retrieves Alex. Inside the pyramid, Imhotep loses his powers and faces the Scorpion King, now a giant scorpion monster. Jonathan's golden scepter is revealed as the Spear of Osiris, which Rick uses to kill the King, sending him and Anubis's army back to the Underworld. Imhotep, abandoned by Anck-su-namun, falls into the underworld; she is eaten by scorpions. The O'Connells escape via Izzy's dirigible as the oasis collapses.
Reader's Guide
The Mummy Returns is significant as a commercially successful sequel that expanded The Mummy franchise, introducing Dwayne Johnson in his film acting debut as the Scorpion King. The film received mixed reviews from critics but solidified the series' popularity, leading to a 2002 prequel, The Scorpion King, and a 2008 indirect sequel, The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Its legacy includes advancing CGI effects for creatures like Imhotep and the Scorpion King, and it remains the highest-grossing film of the series. A direct sequel is scheduled for release on October 15, 2027.
Did You Know?
- Dwayne Johnson made his film acting debut in this film, credited under his ring name 'The Rock'.
- Freddie Boath accepted the role of Alex O'Connell after choosing to audition for it instead of Harry Potter.
- The film was shot in Morocco, Jordan (including Petra), and at Shepperton Studios in England.
- Rachel Weisz and Patricia Velásquez trained in ancient Japanese martial arts for their roles.
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