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Brendan Fraser and Dwayne Johnson Reunite, Trade Credit for Career Turns

Their Actors on Actors conversation spotlighted gratitude that linked a 2001 casting bet to recent awards momentum.

Overview

  • On Variety’s 2025 Actors on Actors, Dwayne Johnson thanked Brendan Fraser for endorsing his casting in The Mummy Returns, saying the early support “changed my life.”
  • Fraser said he didn’t know Johnson from wrestling in 2001 yet viewed him as “inspired casting” for the Scorpion King and the right fit for a larger‑than‑life villain.
  • Fraser credited Johnson’s public boost of his Venice standing ovation for The Whale as helping the film’s success, calling Johnson a “godfather of sorts” to that outcome.
  • Johnson said witnessing Fraser’s Venice moment inspired his shift toward dramatic work, which he connected to taking on The Smashing Machine.
  • A new Mummy installment has been announced in early development, and Fraser signaled he is ready to return as Rick O’Connell.