For fans savoring the newly released trailer for "Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb," excitement about the movie may mix with a dose of sadness as the successful franchise's latest installment was one of actor Robin Williams' final films.

"Williams reprises his role as President Theodore Roosevelt in the third movie in the 'Night at the Museum' series, which finds the magical tablet that animates him and fellow historical figures Octavius and cowboy Jedediah running out of its magic," Entertainment Weekly reported.

On Aug. 14, the actor committed suicide at his home in Paradise Cay, California. His death was widely covered as fans and colleagues bemoaned the tragic fate of Williams, famed for his roles in classics such as "Good Morning, Vietnam" (1987), "Dead Poets Society" (1989) and "Mrs. Doubtfire" (1993). For the 1997 drama "Good Will Hunting," Williams won an Academy Award for best supporting actor.

"Secret of the Tomb" is one of the four completed projects Williams left behind when he died in August, The Wrap noted. The others are "Merry Friggin' Christmas," a holiday comedy released Nov. 7; "Boulevard," a drama that debuted earlier this year at the Tribeca Film Festival; and "Absolutely Anything," for which Williams provided the voice of Dennis the dog.

The "Night at the Museum" sequel, which also stars Owen Wilson, Ben Kingsley and Dan Stevens, will open Dec. 19, CNN said.

The first movie in the series, which was based on a 1993 children's book of the same name, came out in 2006. It was the highest grossing film in its opening weekend, making $30.8 million in 3,685 theaters. Over the four-day Christmas following its Dec. 22 release, "Night at the Museum" took in $42.2 million.

Distributor 20th Century Fox was already able to double down on that success with the first sequel, "Battle of the Smithsonian," which hit theaters on May 22, 2009. On its opening day alone, the film's estimated gross was $15.6 million.

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