Rachel Weisz is officially back in Evelyn O'Connell mode, and her first look from the new The Mummy sequel has turned the Oscar-winning actress's return into an unexpected fashion moment. Set photographs circulating on Saturday, 26 September 2026, showed Weisz filming in London in a cropped brown jacket, mustard-yellow polka-dot skirt, wide-brimmed hat, leather gloves and scarf, with a vintage briefcase and radio completing the period look.
By Sunday, 27 September, the outfit had taken off online, particularly among fans who never forgot that Evelyn began The Mummy as a Cairo librarian before becoming one of the franchise's central adventurers. But the celebration soon produced a second viral story when convincing images apparently showing Brendan Fraser's Rick O'Connell beside Weisz began circulating, only for moderators to warn that the pictures were AI-altered.
Rachel Weisz's Evelyn O'Connell Look Wins Over Librarians
FIRST LOOK AT RACHEL WEISZ FILMING FOR THE MUMMY 4! pic.twitter.com/mB1MqvgiJk
— The Dr. Rachel Weisz daily count bot (@kiana_weisz) September 26, 2026
The response to Weisz's costume quickly moved beyond nostalgia for the 1999 blockbuster. One commenter called the star of The Favourite and The Mummy 'such an icon for the worldwide librarian community', while others revived Evelyn's famous declaration: 'I am a librarian.' Another person wrote, 'I work in a library now, and she was such an inspiration to me.'
That connection has followed Evelyn for decades because the character was introduced as more than Rick O'Connell's eventual love interest. She begins the first film as an Egypt-obsessed librarian whose knowledge repeatedly becomes essential to the adventure before growing increasingly confident as the story unfolds.
The wardrobe itself quickly became part of the conversation. Fans zeroed in on the cropped jacket, patterned skirt, gloves, hat and layers of brown and mustard, with one viewer calling it 'the coolest fit I've seen in awhile'. Another declared they were 'looking forward to Librarian Autumn', while others said they wanted the entire outfit.
Weisz last played Evelyn in 2001's The Mummy Returns. She did not return for 2008's The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, when Maria Bello took over the role, making the new film Weisz's first appearance as Evelyn in 25 years.
'Librarian Autumn' Gives Evie a Fashion Comeback
The response also reflects how strongly Evelyn's wardrobe remains tied to the character. Across the first two films, her costumes moved from bookish blouses and long skirts to increasingly adventurous looks without abandoning the academic identity that made her distinctive.
Rachel Weisz as Evie in The Mummy, The Mummy Returns and the upcoming,untitled, Mummy Movie. pic.twitter.com/wK3XVxWDii
— Dyerbolical Horror (☥𝐃𝐁) (@DyerbolicalDB) September 27, 2026
Fans were already comparing the new look with Evelyn's earlier costumes, while some said the styling alone had made them more interested in seeing the sequel. 'Librarian Autumn' quickly became shorthand for the character's brown, mustard and vintage-inspired comeback.
That fashion conversation gave the authentic photographs a second life online. But it also created an opening for edited images to blend into the genuine material once another familiar face appeared alongside her.
Fans Were Fooled by AI Brendan Fraser Photos
The online excitement took another turn after altered images appeared to show Fraser standing beside Weisz on the London set. The pictures were believable enough for viewers to celebrate what they thought was the first look at Rick and Evelyn reunited in costume.
Moderators said they were not genuine photographs of the pair, as moderators in one viral discussion warned users: 'The Brendan photos are AI! He was not photographed on set with Rachel.'
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By then, plenty of people had already fallen for them. One viewer admitted, 'I thought he looked weird. AI is gonna get all of us', while another said Fraser's face seemed suspiciously identical across multiple images. Others pointed to changing details in Weisz's hat and unusual facial features as warning signs.
Before the correction spread, users were commenting on Fraser's hair, ageing and appearance as though they were analysing authentic production photographs, showing how quickly an AI-altered celebrity image can acquire its own narrative once it circulates without context.
The Real Rick and Evie Reunion Is Still Coming
Fraser's involvement in the film itself is not in question. The Academy Award-winning The Whale star is returning as Rick O'Connell, while Weisz is reprising Evelyn, meaning audiences will still get the reunion the altered photographs appeared to reveal early.
The sequel carries particular nostalgia value because Rick and Evelyn's combination of romance, adventure and comedy became one of the defining elements of the first two films.
For now, the clearest authentic glimpse of the comeback belongs to Weisz. Her first set appearance has revived Evelyn's librarian legacy and introduced what may become one of the sequel's most discussed costumes.
The fake Fraser photographs then added a distinctly 2026 twist. Fans wanted Rick and Evie back together badly enough that many accepted the images almost instantly, but they are still waiting for a verified first look at the pair together.
