Mummy still dear to Bello

Rachel Weisz's replacement in the latest installment for The Mummy adventure franchise has reportedly told MTV that there will "absolutely" be a fourth film to follow the upcoming The Mummy: Tomb Of The Dragon Emperor.

Movie mag Empire says Maria Bello - who takes on Weisz's role as plucky Egyptologist Evelyn O'Connell in the new movie - told the music station that at least one more tale of derring do against the ancient undead will be on the way.

The magazine says Bello is signed up for four new Mummy pictures, should studio big-wigs at Universal decided to continue with the franchise.

And although Brendan Fraser (Crash, Bedazzled) will return for the third film as swashbuckling American adventure Rick O'Connell, Empire says his latest adventure could take "quite a different direction" from previous outings.

Fraser reportedly set on set that the ending of Tomb of the Dragon Emperor could set up another sequel set outside Egypt.

The franchise started in 1999 with The Mummy. It was followed by The Mummy Returns, which spawned the spin-off The Scorpion King in 2002, starring Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.

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