Sad reason Brendan Fraser was ‘blacklisted’ from Hollywood as he reunites with Rachel Weisz for The Mummy 4

Back in the late 90s and early 00s, Brendan Fraser was one of Hollywood’s most recognisable faces.

But then, whether you may remember or not, he pretty much disappeared from spotlight. The now 57-year-old previously opened up about this, explaining he was essentially ‘blacklisted’ from the industry and has since returned to our screens.

In 2023, he picked up the Best Actor in a Leading Role award at the Oscars for his performance in The Whale. And he’s also since appeared in the likes of Killers of the Flower Moon and Brothers.

And luckily for fans of the classics, Fraser is truly returning the actor they know as he is making a comeback for The Mummy 4 with his original co-star from the franchise, Rachel Weisz.

Fraser has been open about his experiences. (Matt Wilson/Comedy Central via Getty Images)

Why Brendan Fraser says he was ‘blacklisted’

In 2018, Fraser claimed that he was the victim of sexual abuse, alleging that former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) Philip Berk sexually abused him.

The actor claimed in an interview with GQ in 2018 that his career ‘withered on a vine’ after Berk allegedly groped him as a HFPA luncheon event in 2003. He recalled feeling ‘miserable, ‘depressed’ and ‘reclusive’ as a result.

"His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. And he starts moving it around. I felt ill,” the Rental Family actor alleged.

"I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry... In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me."

Berk tried to describe the incident as a joke in his 2014 memoir, and in a recent statement given to GQ, he added: "His career declined through no fault of ours."

The pair are returning. (Universal Studios)

The Mummy 4

Fraser and Weisz were spotted in London on Wednesday (14 October), filming on set for the new film together for the first time.

The pair appeared in the original together, as Rick O’Connell and Evelyn Carnahan, back in 1999 as well as its 2001 sequel, The Mummy Returns.

Fraser of course appeared in three of the films but Weisz didn’t return and Maria Bello played Evelyn in The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

There’s no new information about what’s going on in this new The Mummy film but it is directed by Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillet and is written by David Coggeshall.

Kevin J. O’Connor, Oded Fehr, Michael Johnson and Numan Acar also appear in the film and is expected to release in October 2027.