While Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is now one of the biggest movie stars in the world, in 2001 he was just trying to break into the acting business with The Mummy Returns.
Brendan Fraser reprized his role as Rick O’Connell in the 1999 blockbuster The Mummy, but the sequel became a stepping stone to greatness for The Rock.
Breaking In: While Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson is now one of the biggest movie stars in the world, in 2001 he was just trying to break into the acting business with The Mummy Returns.
Drew: While promoting his critically acclaimed role in The Whale, for which he won a Critics Choice Award on Sunday, Fraser revealed secrets from some of his most beloved movies on The Drew Barrymore Show…revealing that he never actually spoke with Johnson in place
When Barrymore revealed that, “if I had to perform to a tennis ball, I’d fail miserably”, though Fraser admitted that he’s “very good at it”.
‘I’m good at it. You know why? Because on The Mummy Returns, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was just a piece of tape on a stick,’ he admitted.
The sequel begins in the year 3067 BC. C., where Johnson’s character, The Scorpion King, and his army are defeated.
Failure: When Barrymore revealed that, “if I had to perform on a tennis ball, I would fail miserably”, though Fraser admitted that he is “very good at it”.
Tape: ‘I’m very good at it. You know why? Because on The Mummy Returns, Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson was just a piece of tape on a stick,’ he admitted.
He sells his soul to Anubis, who reclaimed the Scorpion King’s army and returned to the underworld.
The Scorpion King would return towards the end of the film, although it was largely a CGI depiction, although the opening scenes were all live action.
The Mummy Returns earned $202 million domestically and $443.2 million worldwide, leading The Rock to get his own 2002 spin-off, The Scorpion King.
Spin-off: The Mummy Returns earned $202 million domestically and $443.2 million worldwide, leading The Rock to get his own 2002 spin-off, The Scorpion King.
Another movie where he acted alongside inanimate objects was 2003’s Looney Tunes: Back in Action, though it was much easier.
“When I did Looney Tunes: Back in Action, there was a Daffy Duck played by Bruce Lanoil and it helped your eyes a lot,” said Fraser.
He added: “They can interact with each other, which makes a lot of sense, and I also have bragging rights, having worked with Daffy Duck properly in person.”
Easier: Another movie where he acted alongside inanimate objects was 2003’s Looney Tunes: Back in Action, though it was much easier.
Fraser joked that Daffy is a “real jerk”, but Bugs Bunny is the “ice man”, adding that he “really is very close to Bugs”.
Fraser will find out on January 24 if her critically acclaimed role in The Whale will earn her first Oscar nomination.
He also stars in the Doom Patrol and has three more movies in post-production, including Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon.
Oscars: Fraser will know on January 24 if his critically acclaimed role in The Whale will earn his first Oscar nomination
