Dwayne Johnson Reflects on Brendan Fraser’s Support on THE MUMMY RETURNS - “I Love That Man”
It’s been 24 years since The Mummy Returns brought Dwayne Johnson to the big screen for the first time, but the actor still hasn’t forgotten the person who helped him find his footing… Brendan Fraser.
During a recent appearance on the New Heights podcast, Johnson opened up about how much Fraser’s kindness meant to him when he was just starting out in Hollywood.
“Brendan Fraser, by the way, I always want to make mention of this. He was one of the biggest stars in the world. That was his franchise.
“I am coming in, I have never acted before, I'm excited. He could have easily said, 'I don't know if I want this wrestler.' Instead, [he] embraced me. I love that man for that, and he helped kick off my career.”
When The Mummy Returns hit theaters in 2001, Johnson was best known as “The Rock” from WWE. His role as the Scorpion King, a fearsome warrior resurrected to challenge Fraser’s heroic Rick O’Connell, was small but impactful.
The film’s success led to his first starring role in The Scorpion King the following year, officially launching his career in Hollywood.
From there, Johnson went on to become one of the biggest movie stars on the planet, headlining massive franchises like Fast & Furious, Jumanji, and more. Yet, even with all that success, he’s never forgotten where it began, with Fraser welcoming him onto his movie set two decades ago.
These days, Johnson is exploring new territory with more dramatic roles. He stars in The Smashing Machine, a gritty drama directed by Benny Safdie, where he portrays real-life MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
He’s also gearing up to work with Martin Scorsese on the director’s next untitled film, playing a Hawaiian crime boss.
For fans who grew up watching The Mummy Returns, it’s so cool to see this full-circle moment between two stars who helped define that early 2000s era of adventure films. Johnson may be a global icon now, but it’s clear he still carries deep respect for the man who helped him get there.