Brendan Fraser Reveals He Didn’t Know Who Dwayne Johnson Was Before Filming The Mummy Returns

Key Points

• Brendan Fraser admitted he had no idea who Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was before casting began on The Mummy Returns (2001).
• Fraser praised Johnson’s “stadium persona,” calling it perfect for the Scorpion King role.
• Johnson credited Fraser for supporting his transition from wrestling to Hollywood.
• The two actors never met on set due to Johnson’s CGI‑heavy role.
• A fourth Mummy film is reportedly in development, sparking hopes for an on‑screen reunion.

Fraser Reflects on Johnson’s Casting in the 2001 Blockbuster

Brendan Fraser is looking back at one of the most unexpected casting stories of his career. During a recent conversation for Variety’s Actors on Actors, the Oscar winner revealed that he had no idea who Dwayne Johnson was when the studio first suggested him for the role of the Scorpion King in The Mummy Returns.

Fraser, who led the franchise as Rick O’Connell, admitted he wasn’t familiar with Johnson’s WWE fame at the time — a surprising revelation given Johnson’s now‑global superstardom.

“Inspired Casting”: Fraser on Why Johnson Was the Perfect Scorpion King

Fraser recalled the moment the studio floated Johnson’s name for the villainous role.

“When I was told that you were a possibility for it, forgive me, but I didn’t know you from the wrestling world,” Fraser said. “And when I was shown, I said, ‘That is inspired casting. We’d be lucky to get the guy.’”

He went on to explain that Johnson’s larger‑than‑life wrestling persona was exactly what the film needed.

“In the wrestling world, you were painting with a 10‑inch brush — you need to have big energy,” Fraser said, noting that Johnson brought the confidence and charisma required to create a “villain you love to hate.”

Johnson Thanks Fraser for Supporting His Hollywood Breakthrough

The Mummy Returns marked Johnson’s official leap from WWE to Hollywood. During their conversation, Johnson expressed gratitude to Fraser for embracing him during that transition.

“…you took a risk on me, and years later, you and I are sitting here,” Johnson said. “I want to thank you for really changing my life.”

Despite sharing the screen in the 2001 sequel, the two didn’t meet in person during production. Johnson’s Scorpion King was created using extensive CGI, prompting Fraser to joke, “Every time I worked with him, he was just a piece of tape on a stick.”

A Possible Reunion? Fans Hope for Fraser–Johnson Return in The Mummy 4

With reports circulating that a fourth Mummy installment is in early development, fans are already speculating about a potential on‑screen reunion between Rick O’Connell and the Scorpion King.

Given Fraser’s career resurgence and Johnson’s continued box‑office dominance, the possibility of the two action icons sharing the screen for real — not via CGI placeholders — has generated major excitement.

What Happens Next?

Universal has not officially confirmed casting or production details for The Mummy 4, but industry chatter suggests the studio is exploring ways to revive the franchise. If the project moves forward, it could finally bring Fraser and Johnson together on set — two decades after their digitally separated debut.