How Did Dwayne Johnson Thank Brendan Fraser for His Career?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Dwayne Johnson credits Brendan Fraser for his early career support.
- The role in The Mummy Returns was Johnson's first acting opportunity.
- Fraser's kindness in embracing Johnson is a notable highlight.
- The Smashing Machine showcases Johnson's versatility as an actor.
- Mentorship plays a key role in Hollywood success.
Los Angeles, Oct 21 (NationPress) Hollywood star Dwayne Johnson has credited Brendan Fraser with launching his film career by "embracing" him when he secured a minor role in the 2001 blockbuster film “The Mummy Returns”.
“The Mummy Returns,” is a fantasy action-adventure film directed by Stephen Sommers. It is the sequel to the 1999 film The Mummy. The narrative follows the mummified body of Imhotep as it is shipped to a museum in London, where he awakens once more to unleash a campaign of rage and terror.
During an appearance on the New Heights podcast, Johnson shared: "The very first movie I ever did was a film called The Mummy Returns. At that time, Brendan Fraser was one of the biggest stars globally, and I was thrilled to be cast in a small role named the Scorpion King. I always want to acknowledge Brendan for this.
"He was at the pinnacle of his career. That was his franchise. I entered the scene without any acting experience, exhilarated about the opportunity. He could have easily dismissed me, saying, 'I don't want this wrestler...' but instead, he embraced me. I truly appreciate him for that, as he played a significant role in launching my career."
Johnson remarked that although the role was minor, he was thrilled to be part of a high-budget film that also featured Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, and Patricia Velasquez, as reported by femalefirst.co.uk.
He stated: "(It was) just five minutes in total throughout the movie... only at the beginning and the end... I was just so excited about the opportunity."
Speaking of his recent projects, Johnson recently starred in The Smashing Machine, a biographical sports drama directed by Benny Safdie. In this film, Johnson portrays former amateur wrestler and MMA fighter Mark Kerr, alongside Emily Blunt as Kerr's girlfriend Dawn Staples. The cast also includes Ryan Bader, Bas Rutten, and Oleksandr Usyk.