Cronin’s exploration of eternal life delves into themes that have consistently intrigued him—family dynamics, the daunting aspects of parenthood, and the chilling idea of a loved one transforming into a threat from the beyond.

In “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy,” a family ventures into the desert, resulting in the mysterious disappearance of a young girl named Katie Cannon, played by Natalie Grace. Her journalist father Charlie (Jack Reynor), mother (Laia Costa), and siblings (Shylo Molina and Billie Roy) are left heartbroken. Eight years later, Katie reappears—filthy, mute, and trapped in leather bandages, seemingly preserved in a centuries-old sarcophagus. It becomes evident she’s possessed by an unknown force. Her parents cling to the hope that love and care can restore her, but chaos unfolds as the body count rises.

For nearly a century, “The Mummy” has been a diverse cinematic journey, featuring various directors, actors, and storylines. The original six films by Universal Pictures introduced Boris Karloff as high priest Imhotep, resurrected in contemporary times. Although the 1932 classic cemented Imhotep’s legacy, subsequent films focused on a different mummy, Kharis, portrayed by Tom Tyler, Lon Chaney Jr., and Eddie Parker. Unlike the articulate Imhotep, Kharis epitomizes a more traditional, less intelligent monster.

The most recent attempt to resurrect the franchise was Universal’s ill-fated Dark Universe, which included the 2017 “Mummy” starring Tom Cruise. Despite his star power, the film failed to captivate audiences. How will Cronin’s version fare? The answer lies in theaters on April 17, 2026, when “The Mummy” premieres. For a deeper dive into the storied history of this haunting figure, watch our video for comprehensive insights into the world of mummies.

Hammer Horror created a new version of the mythos in the 1950s, with Kharis rising in the form of Christopher Lee for four pictures; the character was now driven by his love for a princess. Stephen Sommers’ legendary 90s’ “Mummy” pictures, meanwhile, reimagine the legend as a swashbuckling, action-adventure trilogy focusing on new characters Rick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser) and Evelyn Carnahan (Rachel Weisz). It also reinstates Imhotep (Arnold Vosloo) as the mummy in question. It gave birth to its own spin-off series, “The Scorpion King,” centered initially around Mathayus (Dwayne Johnson), the titular leader. 

The next-most recent iteration of the material (as of this writing) stemmed from Universal’s attempt at creating The Dark Universe. But the might of Tom Cruise couldn’t interest audiences in a new bag of bones; 2017’s “Mummy” subsequently flopped at the box office. How will Lee Cronin’s rendition fare? Find out on April 17, 2026 when “The Mummy” his theaters. Looking to learn more about the complicated world of the shambling creature? Watch our video, which will catch you up on all things mummy-related.