Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson wants his friend and co-star, Brendan Fraser, to win an Oscar for his role in the new movie, The Whale.
After years of remaining absent from all the news and publicity, Fraser decided to rise above the ashes and get back into action. He’s portraying the role of an obese teacher named Charlie in the film directed by Darren Aronofsky.
In his interview with MTV News, the former football player said that he was so happy to see Brandon receiving a standing ovation from the audience at the Venice Film Festival and wants to see him having more moments like that.
“I want him to go all the way, man, I wanna see him on that Oscar stage, and hold that sucker up, and deliver, I’m sure, what will be an amazing speech.”
The former professional wrestler further noted that when he started his career in the film industry, it was Fraser who helped him land his role in the blockbuster film, The Mummy Returns.
According to Johnson, as he had no prior acting experience, he wasn’t quite sure if he’d get an OK from Fraser.
“I had never been on a movie set before ever and, all of a sudden, I’m in the middle of the Sahara Desert making The Mummy Returns,” he said.
“I was thrilled when I was told by our director Stephen Sommers that Brendan ‘loved’ the idea of me being in the film,” he continued. “And I get that kind of nod of acceptance from the star of the movie, it really meant a lot to me – so many years later, I never forgot it.”
Johnson made his acting debut back in 2001 by appearing in The Mummy sequel; he played the Scorpion King. Meanwhile, Brandon played the role of an adventurer, Rick O’Connell.
When Fraser received the heartwarming ovation in September, thousands of his fans cheered for him, including The Rock, who rooted for his fellow actor on Twitter on wrote,
“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.”
On September 4, 2022, Fraser, along with the movie’s cast, attended the Venice Film Festival in Italy and received a six-minute standing ovation from the audience.
“If the Sunday night world premiere of The Whale at the Venice Film Festival is any indication, Brendan Fraser’s return to Hollywood will be met with plenty of cheers — and even more tears. When the credits rolled on the Darren Aronofsky drama, in which Fraser plays a 600-pound gay man confined to a wheelchair, the actor was overcome with emotion,” wrote Vanity Fair.
According to the outlet, The Mummy star teared up when he received a long-standing ovation from the audience.
“Fraser sobbed throughout the six-minute standing ovation, which will likely put him at the forefront of this year’s best actor Oscars race.”
The 53-year-old has returned to the entertainment industry after years of depression and mental health issues.