Johnson Thanks Fraser for Mummy Returns Casting Endorsement

Dwayne Johnson and Brendan Fraser reunited in a recent Variety Actors on Actors interview, where Johnson publicly thanked Fraser for endorsing his casting in the 2001 film The Mummy Returns, crediting the decision with launching his transition from professional wrestling to Hollywood stardom.

The conversation, which aired this week, highlighted the pivotal role Fraser played in Johnson's early career. Johnson, then a rising WWE star with no acting experience, was offered the part of the Scorpion King, a villainous character in the blockbuster sequel to The Mummy. Universal Pictures informed him that Fraser, the franchise's lead actor, would have final say on the casting. "There was a moment where you could have said, 'Hey, listen, this guy Dwayne Johnson, he's never acted before. I know he's in pro wrestling, I'm not too sure,'" Johnson recalled. Instead, studio executives relayed Fraser's enthusiastic approval: "Brendan loves the idea. He welcomes you with open arms."

Johnson described the endorsement as transformative. "You took a shot and a risk with me, who had never acted back then, but also that kicked off my career," he said. "Thank you for, in a big way, really changing...