Former WWE star recalls how Fraser ‘took a risk’ by supporting him in ‘The Mummy Returns,’ even though he had no acting experience
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has paid a moving tribute to Brendan Fraser, crediting his co-star with completely transforming his career trajectory. The moment happened during an interview in the magazine’s “Actors on Actors” section. Varietyin which pairs of actors are chosen to question each other. In part, Johnson remembers how he got his first big movie role in The Mummy returns (2001).
At the time of the film, Fraser he was already the face of the franchise The Mummywhich premiered in 1999 and became one of Hollywood’s biggest hits. About that, Johnson He was only known as a professional wrestler and was looking for a path into film, with no acting experience. Anyway, Fraser supported his casting to play the Scorpio Kingthe ambitious antagonist of the film.
#DwayneJohnson THANKS #BrendanFraser for rallying behind his casting as Scorpion King in #TheMummyReturns:
“You took a risk with me, and years later, you and I are sitting here. I want to thank you for truly changing my life.”
Watch the full #ActorsOnActors video now on the… pic.twitter.com/qSFDn10FvR
—Variété (@Variété) December 8, 2025
“You and I connected for the first time since The Mummy returnsand it was one of the biggest franchises in the world in our industry at the time,” he said. Johnson during the interview. “It was loved around the world and you were the face of that franchise.”
The star of Black Adam (2022) and Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017) went on to explain how the support of Fraser It was decisive for his career. “I was ready to make my transition to Hollywood and I was excited. I got the opportunity to star in his film as the Scorpion King,” he recalls. Johnson. “I was asking if (my hearing) was okay, and they said they would talk to (you).”
It was then that the director Stephen Sommers and other Universal executives said they had to “talk to Brendan” about his casting and get the lead actor’s approval before casting him. Waiting for approval from the lead actor created insecurities for The Rock: “So there was a moment where you could have said, ‘Hey, look, I love this idea of the character called the Scorpion King, but this guy, Dwayne Johnson, has never acted before. I know he was in pro wrestling and I’m not really sure.'”
The actor is visibly happy as he remembers the response he received. “The feedback I received was: ‘Brendan loves the idea and welcomes you with open arms.’ It really meant something to me, because not only was it your franchise and you took a risk with me – who had never acted at that point – but it launched my career,” the actor said.
The role in The Mummy returns opened the doors of Hollywood to Johnsonwho quickly starred in the spin-off The Scorpion King (2002), centered on his character, then went on to achieve successes that transformed him into one of the biggest stars of world cinema.
“Now, years later, you and I sit here. I want to thank you for truly changing my life. The trajectory that you allowed to happen led me to be here,” he added. Johnson.
Fraser he replied visibly moved: “You are too kind, Dwayne. You were always the right person for the job. When they told me you were a possibility for the role, forgive me, I didn’t know you in the world of struggle. And when they showed it to me, I said, “This is inspired programming.” We would be lucky to have this guy. »
Over the past two decades, both actors have established themselves as big names in Hollywood. Fraser won the Oscar of Best Actor in 2023 for his work in The Whale (2022), while Johnson has diversified his career and recently eschewed standard comedic roles to play MMA fighter Mark Kerr in the drama Heart of the Fighter: The Smashing Machine (2025).
+++ READ MORE: Why didn’t Brendan Fraser speak to The Rock on the set of The Mummy Returns?
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+++ READ MORE: Brendan Fraser says he is ‘more demanding’ after winning Oscar for The Whale
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