Brendan Fraser Said 'Yes' to The Mummy 3

Fri, 13 April 2007 12:00:00 ET

Brendan Fraser is to star in 'The Mummy 3'. The actor has signed up for the action sequel but his co-star from the previous two instalments Rachel Weisz will not be reprising her role as Evelyn Carnahan O'Connell.

Martial arts expert Jet Li is to star as a villain in the movie which will be set in China, while Rob Cohen - whose previous films include 'Stealth' and Fast and the - is taking the helm as director. Oscar-winner Weisz has pulled out the project due to other filming commitments. She has agreed to star in 'The Brothers Bloom' and Phillip Noyce's Australian drama 'Dirt Music' which is due to start shooting in August.

'The Mummy 3' is scheduled for a 2008 release and filming will start in the late summer. Universal are hopeful the third movie will match the success of its two predecessors which took over $830 million worldwide combined.