Dwayne Johnson expresses gratitude to Brendan Fraser for “changing his life” on The Mummy Returns: ‘You took a risk…’
He added, “When I was told that you were a possibility for it, forgive me, but I didn’t know you from the wrestling world. And when I was shown, I said, “That is inspired casting. We’d be lucky to get the guy.” You need a stadium persona to play a villain you love to hate. It’s going to take a lot of confidence and belief. In the wrestling world, you were painting with a 10-inch brush — you need to have big energy.” Further, he praised Johnson’s acting in his recent film The Smashing Machine.
The Mummy Returns marked Johnson’s transition from wrestling to mainstream acting. Directed by Stephen Sommers, it was the second film in The Mummy film series. Rachel Weisz, John Hannah, Arnold Vosloo, Oded Fehr, and Patricia Velásquez reprised their roles from the previous film. A third film The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor was released in 2008.
After The Mummy Returns, Dwayne Johnson played his first leading role in the action fantasy film The Scorpion King. He has since starred in several films, making his name as a leading actor in the industry.
After The Smashing Machine, where he essayed the role of UFC fighter Mark Kerr, he will star as Maui in the upcoming live-action Moana film. He has previously voiced the character in the Disney animated film and its sequel Moana 2. He also has Jumanji 3, which is currently in production.
Meanwhile, a fourth Mummy film, starring Fraser and Weisz is currently in the works, announced the makers recently.
