Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has credited Brendan Fraser with kickstarting his movie career by “embracing” him when he landed a small role in 2001 blockbuster The Mummy Returns.
Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson has credited Brendan Fraser with kickstarting his movie career.
The Fast and Furious star moved away from his wrestling career at the start of the 2000s when he landed a small role in Fraser’s blockbuster sequel The Mummy Returns in 2001 – and Johnson is adamant the actor could have completely derailed his big screen ambitions but instead “embraced” him and gave him the start he needed.
During an appearance on the New Heights podcast, Johnson explained: “The very first movie I ever did was a movie called The Mummy Returns.
“Brendan Fraser was one of the biggest stars in the world, as he is today …
“[I was] so excited to be cast in the film, [in] a small part called the Scorpion King. 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’ …
“[But he] embraced me. I love that man for that, and he helped kick off my career.”
Johnson added the role was small but he was delighted to have been cast in the big budget movie.
He added: “[It was] five minutes total in the movie … just in the beginning of the movie and at the end of the movie … I was just so excited at the opportunity.”
The Mummy Returns was a huge hit at the box office and Johnson went on to carve out a hugely successful acting career as a leading man.
He recently won praise from Fraser ahead of the release of his latest picture, The Smashing Machine, in which he plays real life MMA fighter Mark Kerr.
Fraser told PEOPLE: “Dwayne, he’s a really great guy and it’s gonna be exciting to watch him emerge from this.
“I predict you’ll be seeing a lot more of him on these red carpets in the days to come.”
The Smashing Machine had a disappointing opening at the box office earlier this month but Johnson insisted he’ grateful to everyone who went out to see it at cinemas.
In a statement posted on Instagram, he wrote: “From deep in my grateful bones, thank you to everyone who has watched The Smashing Machine.
“In our storytelling world, you can’t control box office results – but what I realized you can control is your performance, and your commitment to completely disappear and go elsewhere.
“And I will always run to that opportunity. It was my honor to transform in this role for my director, Benny Safdie. Thank you brother for believing in me.
“Truth is this film has changed my life. With deep gratitude, respect and radical empathy, DJ.”
Dwayne Johnson credits Brendan Fraser with kickstarting his movie career
