Brendan Fraser defends wearing prosthetics to portray an obese man in his new film
Published
| Last updated
Brendan Fraser has hit back against critics who called him out for using prosthetics for his new movie.
Ever since stills and the trailer for The Whale were released, a lot has been said about the actor donning a fat suit for the character.
The film hasn't even been released yet and some have said the plot line is 'demoralising' and 'anti-fat'.
The Whale sees Fraser transform into a 600lb man named Charlie who is slowly eating himself into an early grave.
The film centres around his relationship with his estranged daughter (Sadie Sink) and some people are struggling to get past the weighty issue that sits at the core of the movie.
Others felt the role should have gone to someone who was actually that size, rather than getting an actor to wear a suit to give off the impression they were obese.
Loading…
While that debate will no doubt be amplified when the movie eventually gets released, Fraser wants people to know it was done for a reason.
The actor had no qualms about using the suit to portray a 600lbs man and he would absolutely do it again if the character felt right.
Speaking to People, he said: "I think it's one of the more exacting ways you can create a character and body.
"In this case the mandate that Charlie's costume would respect the laws of gravity and physics as opposed to the many ways that we've seen that character depicted in films before as really a one-note joke, and in a costume that's just unfair."
He admits that's his 'personal view' but added that he and the crew 'felt an obligation to ensure that it was cumbersome'.
"It was accurate, that was what we strived for," he explained.
Fraser would spend hours every day getting ready to shoot scenes as Charlie.
According to Variety, the prosthetics weighed up to 300lbs and the actor also had to do lessons with a dance instructor to teach him how the character would have walked with that much weight.
He also consulted with the Obesity Action Coalition to speak with people who have been struggling with eating and weight issues.
The film's director, Darren Aronofsky, has also defended the use of prosthetics.
He said it was an arduous journey trying to find an actor that size who could accurately bring the character to life.
Aronofsky described it as a 'crazy chase' and 'impossible' to find someone 'dealing with those issues'.
The director told Variety that Fraser was perfect for the role.
“I knew he could play someone who most people would start off by dismissing, but within five minutes they’d start to feel something for him," he said.
"Then, within 20 minutes, they’re starting to fall in love with the character, because there’s just something about Brendan. Pretty soon, he starts to break your heart.”
The Whale will land in cinemas on December 9.
Featured Image Credit: Ottavia Da Re/Sintesi/Alamy Live News. A24
Topics: Brendan Fraser, Celebrity, TV and Film
