The Mummy Returns starred Dwayne Johnson and Brendan Fraser in 2001.
On Sunday, Brendan Fraser fans worldwide were delighted to learn that the actor received a lengthy standing ovation. In the Venice Film Festival for his performance in director Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale.
Among those pleased admirers is Dwayne Johnson, who made his film debut in 2001’s The Mummy Returns, starring Fraser.
“Man, seeing this makes me so happy, this beautiful ovation for Brendan,” Johnson tweeted on Sunday, retweeting a video of Fraser surrounded by clapping fans in Venice.
The Mummy Returns starred Dwayne Johnson and Brendan Fraser in 2001
The standing ovation for #TheWhale was so enthusiastic, Brendan Fraser tried to leave the theater but the crowd’s applause made him stay. #Venezia79 pic.twitter.com/ZZ0vbFX7Rl
— Ramin Setoodeh (@RaminSetoodeh) September 4, 2022
“He encouraged me to join his Mummy Returns franchise for my first ever role, which launched my Hollywood career. I wish you all the best, brother, and congratulations to my buddy Darren Aronofsky.”
Fraser reprised his role as adventurer Rick O’Connell in the 2001 sequel to 1999’s The Mummy, while Johnson played The Scorpion King.
Fraser recalled that he did not work with Johnson on the film set. Johnson’s character in the scenes starring O’Connell was computer-generated. When EW spoke with him three years ago for an oral history of The Mummy, still, he said highly of the Jumanji star.
“He was a big orange piece of tape on the end of a long two-by-four while I was working on the film,” Fraser explained. “We jumped, ducked, and weaved as he thrashed and smashed around at us.” “I first encountered him at the premiere and said, ‘Hi! ‘How are you?’ I enjoyed meeting him and ran into him several times in the following years.
I was thrilled for him because this was his first opportunity to work as an actor. He wasn’t just the go-to guy for muscle. He was looking forward to leaving the world of wrestling. It captured my interest. I’m happy I knew him back then.
It was intriguing. I was happy to know you when we started working together.
In the film The Whale, Fraser portrays Charlie. A man who struggles with severe obesity is trying to get back in touch with his estranged teenage daughter, who Sadie Sink plays, a Stranger Things newcomer. Charlie also works with the loss of a lover.
The Whale does not yet have a release date.