Taking the lead role in The Whale meant undergoing a physical transformation for Brendan Fraser, who has recently opened up about the experience. In the film, Fraser plays a 600-pound man looking to reconnect with his teenage daughter (Sadie Sink) after abandoning his family many years earlier for a new life with his gay lover. After holding its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival, The Whale will be brought to theaters in the U.S. on Dec. 9, 2022.
Per Variety, Fraser addressed the movie at a press conference in Venice to promote the premiere. Fraser spoke about the challenges that came with adding hundreds of pounds to his weight with a prosthetic suit which was used to make the actor appear heavier on-screen. By the end of filming, he found himself really feeling for those with bodies similar to that of his character.
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Director Darren Aronofsky also spoke about Fraser’s appearance in The Whale. The filmmaker explains how the story pushes forward the old adage that you can never judge a book by its cover.
Darren Aronofsky Says Brendan Fraser Is Perfect for The Whale
Casting the lead role in The Whale was not easy for Darren Aronofsky. The director revealed how he tried to picture as many different movie stars in the role as he could think of, but it wasn’t until he saw Fraser in an indie film’s trailer that he realized he was looking at his Charlie. A subsequent meeting with the actor sealed the deal.
Given that Fraser also happens to be one of Hollywood’s most beloved celebrities, chances are his casting will help sell a lot of tickets for the movie, which is another nice bonus. A24 will be releasing The Whale in theaters on Dec. 9, 2022.
