The Whale received a standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival, which delighted Fraser’s Mummy Returns co-star.
Brendan Fraser fans around the world were overjoyed on Sunday to learn that the actor received a lengthy standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival for his performance in director Darren Aaronofsky’s The Whale. Among those ecstatic admirers? Dwayne Johnson, who made his film debut in 2001’s The Mummy Returns, starring Fraser.
“Man, this makes me so happy to see this beautiful ovation for Brendan,” Johnson tweeted on Sunday, retweeting a video of Fraser surrounded by clapping fans in Venice. “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.”
Man this makes me so happy to see this beautiful ovation for Brendan. He supported me coming into his Mummy Returns franchise for my first ever role, which kicked off my Hollywood career. Rooting for all your success brother and congrats to my bud Darren Aronofsky. #TheWhale 👏🏾 https://t.co/SNBLPHHmEZ
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) September 4, 2022
Fraser reprised his role as adventurer Rick O’Connell in the 2001 sequel to 1999’s The Mummy, while Johnson played The Scorpion King.
When EW interviewed Fraser three years ago for an oral history of The Mummy, the actor recalled that he did not work with Johnson on the set of the film because Johnson’s character was computer-generated in the scenes starring O’Connell, but he spoke 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 said hello to him for the first time at the premiere. ‘How are you?’ I enjoyed meeting him and ran into him a couple of times in the years that followed. 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. It was exciting for him to be transitioning from the wrestling world. It was fascinating. I’m grateful to have known him in the early days, when we were all just getting started.”
Fraser plays Charlie in The Whale, a man suffering from severe obesity who is dealing with the loss of a lover while attempting to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter, played by Stranger Things breakout Sadie Sink.
The Whale does not yet have a release date.
