Rachel Weisz Congratulates The Mummy Co-Star Brendan Fraser On Oscar Win!

Benjamin Imiewanlan
Rachel Weisz on the red carpet
Getty | Roy Rochlin/GA

The 'congratulations' on Brendan Fraser's Oscar win for his role in The Whale doesn't seem to have ended. Rachel Weisz recently congratulated Fraser on his big win for his iconic performance as Charlie.

A Victory Text

Rachel Weisz smiling
Giphy | Film at Lincoln Center

53-year-old Hollywood actress, Rachel Weisz, revealed to Extra in a discussion that she texted Fraser after winning his Best Actor Oscar last month. Weisz told the outlet, "I texted after his win. I texted him after I saw the performance. It was a staggeringly good film."

Happy About Fraser's Win

Brendan Fraser arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
Getty | Steve Granitz

The Constant Gardener actress also shared with the outlet that she was excited and happy for her 1999 co-star, Fraser. In her words, "I'm so happy for Brendan. Very happy."

New Happy Chapter

Rachel Weisz seen on the set of the Amazon series Dead Ringers on August 09, 2021 in New York City, New York.
Getty | MEGA

Speaking to Net-a-Porter, Weisz mentioned she's "thrilled" for Fraser as he makes his big Hollywood comeback. She said, "I'm really, really thrilled for him … that he's had this new chapter. And it couldn't have happened to a nicer, nicer guy."

Relationship With The Director

Director Darren Aronofsky and actress Rachel Weisz attend 46th New York Film Festival screening of The Wrestler at Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center on October 12, 2008 in New York City
Getty | Jim Spellman

Weisz might be closer to The Whale movie than her just having shared the big screen with its main protagonist. Her ex-husband of nine years, Darren Aronofsky, helmed the directorial role for the sensational award-winning film.

An Award-Winning Movie

Brendan Fraser and A24 studios are having a blast since The Whale hit the theaters last December. The movie has won two Oscars, a SAG, and a Critics' Choice Award for its performance. 

The Multiverse Speech

Brendan Fraser saying, " So this is what the multiverse looks like!"
Giphy | The Academy Awards

At the Oscars stage to receive his award for Best Actor, Fraser joked about finally being in the multiverse in his opening speech: "Thank you, thank you. So this is what the multiverse looks like."

Praising Darren

Brendan Fraser accepts the Best Actor award for "The Whale" onstage during the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Dolby Theatre
Getty | Kevin Winter

The 54-year-old actor thanked his director, Darren Aronofsky, and praised studio A24 for making the "bold film."

"Oh, my goodness. I thank the Academy for this honor and for our studio, A24, for making such a bold film. And - I'm grateful to Darren for throwing me a creative lifeline and hauling me aboard the good ship The Whale."

Nothing Came Easy

Brendan Fraser on stage at the 2023 Oscars
Giphy | G1ft3d

Along his speech, Fraser reflects on his time in Hollywood, acknowledging that it hasn't been easy. He said, "I started in this business 30 years ago, and things - they didn't come easily to me, but there was a facility that I didn't...I didn't appreciate at the time until it stopped."

Comments On His Sons

Holden Fraser, Brendan Fraser, Leland Fraser arrives at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Art
Getty | Steve Granitz

The atmosphere at the Oscars felt Fraser's moment on stage as he spoke passionately during his acceptance. He added, "It's been like I've been in a diving expedition at the bottom of the ocean and the air on the line to the surface is on a launch being watched over by some people in my life, like my sons, Holden and Leland and Griffin. I love you."

The Golden Globes Refusal

Brendan Fraser as Charlie in The Whale
Flickr | canburak

Although Brendan Fraser might have left a lasting impression on the Oscars stage, he was previously in the news headlines for boycotting the Golden Globes.

Allegations Against HFPA

Brendan Fraser and Philip Berk
sportskeeda | Barnhart Ray

Some years ago, Fraser claimed that the then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), Philip Berk, groped him in 2003. Sadly, he states the events made his career "withered on a vine" because the HFPA was behind the Golden Globes.

Disputing The Claims

That did not happen because it cannot happen.
Giphy | GIPHY News

Philip Berk, who has also been a subject of criticism, disputed Fraser's allegations of the 2003 groping. Berk was ejected from HFPA after referring to the Black Lives Matter movement as a "racist hate group."

Fraser's Statement On Not Attending

Brendan Fraser at the 95th Annual Academy Awards held at Dolby Theatre on March 12, 2023 in Los Angeles, California
Getty | Gilbert Flores

Before winning the Oscars, Fraser told GQ he would not participate in the Golden Globes in January. In his words, "I have more history with the Hollywood Foreign Press Association than I have respect for the Hollywood Foreign Press Association."

Closing Ranks

Closed
Giphy | The Righteous Gemstones

Still, in the discussion, Fraser stated that he knew HFPA will "close ranks" after his allegations. "I knew they would close ranks. I knew they would kick the can down the road."

The George Of The Jungle actor added, "I knew they would get ahead of the story. I knew that I certainly had no future with that system as it was."

Weisz and Fraser's On-Screen Moments

Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in scene of The Mummy
Getty | Frank Trapper

Rachel Weisz and Brendan Fraser are no strangers to Hollywood; their roles together prove it. The pair had shared moments on the big screen for 1999's The Mummy and 2001's The Mummy Returns.

Her Replacement

Maria Bello attends "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon" press conference at the Four Seasons Hotel on July 15, 2008 in Beverly Hills, California
Getty | Vera Anderson

While there was a second sequel to the 1999's first movie, Weisz didn't reprise the role for 2008's The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. Replacing her for the part was Maria Bello.

Complimented Her Old Cast

John Hannah, Brendon Fraser, Oded Fehr on set of The Mummy
Getty | Frank Trapper

In discussion with media outlets, Weisz called the cast of The Mummy brilliant while recounting her experience. "Everybody in The Mummy was just brilliant, and it was just some alchemical thing in it, that it had charm, and charm is such a strange thing. It's either there or it isn't."

Fraser Is Still Open To The Mummy

Brendan Fraser saying, "I will treasure this."
Giphy | SAG Awards

When asked if he could reprise his role in The Mummy franchise, Fraser told Variety that he is more than happy to return as long as it's right. "I don't know how it would work. But I'd be open to it if someone came up with the right conceit."

"No Fun" In Tom Cruise's 2017 Mummy

Tom Cruise attends "The Mummy" Fan Event at AMC Loews Lincoln Square on June 6, 2017 in New York City
Getty | Donna Ward

Not necessarily taking a jab at Tom Cruise's 2017 reincarnation of his 1999 movie, Fraser stated he didn't see "fun" in the movie, which might have caused its low turnout.

"It is hard to make that movie. The ingredient that we had going for our Mummy, which I didn't see in the new one, was fun. That was what was lacking in that incarnation. It was too much of a straight-ahead horror movie. The Mummy should be a thrill ride, but not terrifying and scary."