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Brendan Fraser Has Massive Transformation In First Look At New Film The Whale

Brendan Fraser Has Massive Transformation In First Look At New Film The Whale

Fraser stars in forthcoming drama The Whale, which follows a 600lb man called Charlie as he tries to reconnect with his teenage daughter

A first look at Brendan Fraser’s new film shows the ‘extensive’ transformation he underwent for the role, having previously admitted his makeover from the wardrobe and costume department was a ‘cumbersome’ process. 

Fraser stars in Darren Aronofsky’s forthcoming drama The Whale, which follows a 600lb man called Charlie as he tries to reconnect with his teenage daughter, having left his family for a gay lover – who later died, sparking a spiral of guilt-induced binge eating for the reclusive protagonist. 

Brendan Fraser in The Whale.
A24

The movie – which also features the likes of Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Samantha Morton and Ty Simpkins – is due to have its world premiere at the 2022 Venice Film Festival, with an announcement today accompanied by a first look image of Fraser in character. 

Responding to the news on Twitter, one fan wrote: “LET'S GO BRENDAN.” 

Someone else said: “Get that man an Oscar now!” as a third added: “I am so glad he’s back! We did it internet.” 

While Fraser had a supporting role recently in Steven Soderbergh’s No Sudden Move, this latest role marks his first leading role in years. 

Speaking about the project last year, Fraser revealed the transformation into a 600lb widow was by no means straightforward. 

He told Newsweek: “It’s gonna be like something you haven’t seen before. That’s really all I can tell you…The wardrobe and costume was extensive, seamless, cumbersome. 

“This is certainly far removed from anything I’ve ever done but not to be coy... I do know it’s going to make a lasting impression.” 

Brendan Fraser at the world premiere of No Sudden Move at the Tribeca Festival 2021.
Sipa US/Alamy Stock Photo

Meanwhile, Sadie Sink – who plays his 17-year-old daughter Ellie – recently said Fraser was her ‘favourite human’ after working with him on The Whale. 

Speaking to Vanity Fair, she said: "I don't think I'd ever done a project that had that much character work. 

"[Director] Darren Aronofsky is obviously brilliant, and working with him was a really formative experience, and Brendan is so incredible in it, and also just probably my favourite human on the planet. 

"It was so amazing having that experience with him. I learned a lot about myself as an actress, and tapped into a side of things that I hadn't really explored before." 

The Whale will have its world premiere at the 79th Venice International Film Festival in September 2022. 

Featured Image Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Stock Photo/A24

Topics: Celebrity, TV and Film, Brendan Fraser