Brendan Fraser and Dwayne Johnson reunited at the 95th Academy Awards. Fraser and Johnson starred together in The Mummy’s sequel, The Mummy Returns (2001), which introduced viewers to WWF wrestler-turned-actor, Johnson as the Scorpion King in his feature film debut. As it happens, Johnson was in attendance at Sunday’s ceremony to present the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature alongside his Jungle Cruise co-star Emily Blunt. Fraser would later win his first Academy Award for his acclaimed role as Charlie – a morbidly obese man who lives at home – in the drama The Whale, directed by Darren Aronofsky.
On Thursday, Johnson shared a video of his “coming full circle moment” to Jay-Z’s “Encore” on Instagram. In the video, which you can watch below, Fraser is seen introducing Johnson to his sons Leland and Holden Fraser.
“My first film of my Hollywood career was THE MUMMY RETURNS, in which Brendan was the lead. At the time many critics and cynics were betting against me, but Brendan welcomed me with open arms and was very supportive. I never forget kind people,” Johnson wrote in the post caption. “Now, years later, Brendan wins the Oscar for BEST ACTOR in ‘The Whale’ and I’ve become famous for wearing a fanny pack. Congratulations, brother, enjoy your flowers.”
The Mummy Returns, which reunited Fraser with original Mummy co-stars Rachel Weisz, John Hannah and Arnold Vosloo, also spawned the 2002 spin-off/prequel The Scorpion King. Starring Johnson as Akkad’s namesake Mathayus, the film topped the box office in its opening weekend and grossed $180 million worldwide on a $60 million budget.
In 2020, Johnson announced that he would produce a Scorpion King reboot at Universal Pictures through his Seven Bucks Productions banner. Johnson said he was “honored and thrilled to reimagine and deliver this fantastical mythology to a whole new generation,” adding of the role that launched his film career: “I would not have had the career that I am blessed to have if it wasn’t for The Scorpion King and I’m thrilled that we at Seven Bucks Productions can help create the same opportunities for other hard working actors today.”
Fraser also remained open to revisiting the world of The Mummy, saying a potential return to his role as adventurer Rick O’Connell “sounds like fun.”
“Not officially, no, but I know the fans have,” Fraser told Entertainment Weekly when asked about The Mummy 4. “The past few years, during my so-called hiatus, I have I had a lot of fun going to fan conventions, keeping it real, meeting everyone and personally thanking them for getting me to where I am. I think I outdid myself, with the phrase “I’m too busy” or “it’s not for me”, I don’t know what was going through my head. I needed some gratitude.”
Regarding reprising the role he last played in 2008’s The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor, Fraser said, “I’m always looking for a job, if anyone has the right presumption. I’ve never been as famous and unpaid as I am right now, so spread the word!”
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