Brendan Fraser has scored a lucrative deal to return for a third "The Mummy" film, but Rachel Weisz is not coming back.

Whilst amounts haven't been disclosed, Fraser is said to have scored a very hefty paycheck for the project which is set in China and introduces Jet Li as a villain.

Weisz, who had been in talks, dropped out due to scheduling conflicts. At present she's set for various projects including "The Brothers Bloom" and "Dirt Music".

Scribes Miles Millar and Alfred Gough are readying a new draft that will incorporate Weisz's absence, once approved the Rob Cohen directed project will be greenlit.

A late Summer start of shooting date is still expected, and Universal is planning a Summer 2008 release.