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Universal's Mummy Unravels: Weisz Out

Rachel WeiszBREAKING NEWS: Mum(my)'s no longer the word... TMZ has learned that Rachel Weisz is dropping out of the rapidly-rising three-quel of "The Mummy" franchise at Universal Pictures.

The actress won the 2006 Best Supporting Actress Oscar for her work in "The Constant Gardener," but more recently gave birth to another statuesque little guy: Henry Chance, who's now nine-months-old, and has apparently been living the sweet life -- vacationing last month with mom in Brazil.

Meanwhile, our spies tell us Weisz is up to her neck in other offers, with some four different projects coming together imminently, all of which will be juggled around newfound parenthood with "The Fountain" director (and baby-daddy) Darren Aronofsky.

As for Universal, despite her exit, the project hasn't yet entered into Queen Nefertiti's dreaded Tomb of Development Hell: Brendan Fraser and Jet Li are still very much attached, a studio rep confirms, as is "XXX" and "Fast and the Furious" director Rob Cohen, whose involvement was first reported here last January.


Reader Comments

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1. I loved both Mummy films. It would be nice to see her in the 3rd installment.

Posted at 8:32AM on Apr 12th 2007 by Dottie

2. The mummy movies were so good! I can't believe that she would pull out! Those movies are in popular demand and the Pirates of the Carribean has only helped audiances crave this type of fantasy movie. I would go see any of the mummy movies if they did 6 more. She really needs to do this third one to make it great! otherwise there is going to be some pathetic part at the begining of this next movie explaining that she suddenly dies or something which Is so unrealistic because if her character survived all that why would we believe that she died in some accident or something?! SOOO dumb. Rachel please do the mummy 3!!! it needs you!!

Posted at 12:51AM on Apr 15th 2007 by suzanne

3. Here here!!! I would love it if she was in it.

Posted at 12:54AM on Apr 15th 2007 by Sam

4. MAYBE IT IS TIME TO TRY SOMEONE ELSE.
WEISZ IS LOVELY, BUT SOMEONE LIKE MARISA TOMEI WOULD BE FUN TO SEE.

NO MATTER WHOM THEY END UP CHOOSING, IT SHOULD BE SOMEONE WHO IS KNOWN FOR GREAT ACTING.

READERS, ANY SUGGESTIONS ON WHO WOULD BE THE BEST WOMAN FOR THE ROLE WEISZ HAS PLAYED IN THE MUMMY MOVIES??

BRENDAN FRASER---I LOVE YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
IHNMOTEP WASN'T BAD EITHER!! (ART VOSLOO).

Posted at 7:24PM on Apr 16th 2007 by I WANT MY MUMMY!!!

5. She has a huge fan base from the Mummy movies(myself included), it would be a bad move I think not to do the movie. Why is it that once they win an oscar actors seem to think they are too good for the roles that got their name out there and/or made them famous? Recast her wit Kiera Knightly.

Posted at 10:46AM on Apr 16th 2007 by Melissa

6. i am so upset and shocked that Rachel is not coming back for the Mummy 3. My husband and I have watched the Mummy movies more times than we can count. In fact, they are the first movies we bought in HD. I think everyone has a facination with ancient cultures and mummies...and a lot of people (myself included) have been anticipating the return of the original cast. The Mummy moves are the type of movies that people watch over and over and are broadcasted over and over. Rachel....what are you thinking! I know there are a lot of intrguing scripts out there...but you are letting your fans down!

Posted at 2:47PM on May 3rd 2007 by DB