Brendan Fraser explains truth behind his weight gain in The Whale

Brendan Fraser has revealed exactly how he transformed into a 600lbs man called Charlie for his upcoming role in The Whale, which has already sparked Oscars buzz. 

During an appearance at GalaxyCon Raleigh late last month, Fraser explained that Charlie was created using ‘prosthetics, CGI and makeup’.

Fraser told the audience: “The real task was to authentically create this character with all the tools we have with makeup, prosthetics, suit building, and a little bit of CGI to ensure that the shape of this man’s body obeys the laws of physics and gravity.”

Watch Fraser discussing the process below:

He added: “I can attest that this project was made by artisans in each and every category.”

The Whale, directed by Darren Aronofsky, follows Charlie on his mission to reconnect with his teenage daughter after leaving his family for a gay lover. 

After Charlie’s lover dies, he falls into a spiral of guilt-induced binge eating and becomes reclusive. 

The movie – which also features the likes of Stranger Things star Sadie Sink, Hong Chau, Samantha Morton and Ty Simpkins – will premiere at this month’s 2022 Venice Film Festival.

Fraser also spoke candidly about his transformation into Charlie last year during a Newsweek interview. 

The actor shared: “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.” 

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Sink plays Charlie’s 17-year-old daughter Ellie in the flick, and recently said that Fraser was her ‘favourite human’.

The Stranger Things star told Vanity Fair: "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." 

This role marks Fraser’s first time back as a leading man since 2013's Breakout, which went straight to DVD.

The actor was a Hollywood heartthrob in the late 90s and early 00s, with movies like The Mummy and George Of The Jungle topping the Box Office.