Lee Cronin Puts His Stamp on 'The Mummy' with Gory, R-Rated Reboot

The Irish director teams up with horror heavyweights Jason Blum and James Wan to deliver a unique take on the classic franchise.

Apr. 17, 2026 at 4:41pm

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An extreme close-up of shattered glass and glittering shards in high-contrast studio lighting, conceptually representing the visceral terror of Cronin's R-rated 'Mummy' reboot.The gritty, high-stakes horror of Lee Cronin's bold new vision for 'The Mummy' franchise.Albuquerque Today

Director Lee Cronin has put his own distinct spin on 'The Mummy' franchise with a gory, R-rated reboot titled 'Lee Cronin's The Mummy.' The film, which stars Jack Reynor, Laia Costa and May Calamawy, follows an American family in Egypt whose young daughter Katie is abducted and later found sealed inside a mysterious tomb, alive but severely deformed. Cronin's vision for the classic horror story is a far cry from the action-adventure Brendan Fraser films, leaning into gruesome body horror and supernatural scares.

Why it matters

Cronin's 'The Mummy' marks a bold, new direction for the long-running franchise, separating itself from previous iterations by embracing an R-rating and Cronin's own unique cinematic voice. The involvement of horror powerhouses like Jason Blum and James Wan also signals a shift in the franchise's approach, aiming to attract a new generation of fans with a more terrifying take on the material.

The details

Cronin's 'The Mummy' follows an American family living in Egypt whose young daughter Katie is abducted. Eight years later, Katie is found sealed inside a tomb, alive but severely deformed and barely able to move or speak. What follows is a gruesome, bloody descent into madness as the family tries to uncover the truth behind Katie's condition and the supernatural forces at play. The film features several shocking, over-the-top sequences, including a toenail-cutting scene and a violent wake that erupts in laughter-inducing carnage.

  • Cronin completed the film at around 7:30 a.m. on the Monday after the Oscars, just as the last attendees were leaving the post-ceremony parties.
  • Universal's long-awaited fourth installment of the Brendan Fraser 'Mummy' series was announced during production of Cronin's film, though it had not yet been formally greenlit.

The players

Lee Cronin

The Irish director of the horror films 'The Hole in the Ground' and 'Evil Dead Rise,' who has put his own unique stamp on the 'Mummy' franchise with this R-rated reboot.

Jason Blum

The horror mogul who produces through his Blumhouse Productions company and suggested the idea of titling the film 'Lee Cronin's The Mummy.'

James Wan

The acclaimed horror director who first approached Cronin about making a terrifying 'Mummy' movie and partnered with Blumhouse to produce the film.

Jack Reynor

The Irish actor who stars in the lead role of the film as part of the American family at the center of the story.

Laia Costa

The Spanish actress who co-stars alongside Reynor as a member of the family.

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What they’re saying

“I remember staring up at the water tower, where they'd already put up a big 'Congratulations' sign, and just standing there, shaking and exhausted, and thinking: this is a wild, wild moment.”

— Lee Cronin, Director

“It was a movie where I definitely wanted to swing for the fences.”

— Lee Cronin, Director

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.