Dwayne Johnson Thanks Brendan Fraser for Career-Changing Support
During a recent reunion, Dwayne Johnson expressed heartfelt gratitude to Brendan Fraser for welcoming him into Hollywood when he was just a WWE wrestler with no acting experience.
Back in 2001, Dwayne Johnson landed his first Hollywood role in The Mummy Returns, marking his transition from WWE wrestling to the big screen. The film featured Brendan Fraser as the lead character Rick O'Connell, with Rachel Weisz co-starring in what became a landmark movie for Johnson's career.
During a recent Variety Actors on Actors conversation, Johnson and Fraser came together again, giving The Rock a chance to express his deep appreciation for Fraser's early support in his Hollywood journey.
A Wrestling Star's Gratitude
Johnson opened up about how Fraser could have easily dismissed him as an inexperienced newcomer. "You and I first connected on 'The Mummy Returns.' That was one of the biggest franchises in the world at that time. I was ready to make my transition into Hollywood. And there was a moment where you could have said, 'This guy, Dwayne Johnson, he's never acted before; he's in pro wrestling,'" Johnson shared.
The future action star continued with heartfelt words: "The word I got back was, 'Brendan loves the idea. He welcomed you with open arms.' It meant something to me, because you took a risk on me, and years later, you and I are sitting here. I want to thank you for really changing my life."
Fraser's History of Supporting Rising Stars
Fraser's support of Johnson wasn't an isolated incident. Throughout his career, the actor has consistently helped other performers gain recognition in Hollywood. In 1992, he starred in School Ties alongside then-unknown actors Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, and Chris O'Donnell. Fraser's established fame helped bring attention to the film and showcased these future stars' talents.
Two years later, Fraser appeared in Airheads with rising comedians Adam Sandler and Steve Buscemi. Once again, his involvement helped elevate the project and provided a platform for his co-stars to demonstrate their abilities to wider audiences.
Potential Reunion in The Mummy 4
Recent announcements confirmed that Fraser and Weisz will return for The Mummy 4, a legacy sequel that will largely ignore the third installment and Tom Cruise's reboot attempt. The timing of Johnson and Fraser's reunion has sparked speculation about whether The Rock might reprise his role as the Scorpion King.
While the Scorpion King's story seemed complete in The Mummy Returns, a well-crafted script could easily bring the character back. Though nothing has been officially confirmed, fans are hoping to see both actors share the screen once more in the upcoming fourth installment.