The Brendan Fraser comeback tour is continuing with A24’s latest psychological drama, The Whale, which received an epic six-minute standing ovation during its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Directed by Darren Aronofsky – who hasn’t helmed a feature-length project since the polarising Mother! (2017) starring Jennifer Lawrence – Fraser has taken on the role of a reclusive English teacher with a compulsive eating disorder who struggles to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter Elle, portrayed by Stranger Things alum Sadie Sink. And already, there’s talk of the former being at the forefront of this year’s Oscars race for Best Actor.
The screen heartthrob of the 90s/early-00s has been steadily returning to the mainstream, namely as Nathan Fowler in Condor, Cliff Steele/Robotman in Doom Patrol; along with stints in Steven Soderbergh’s No Sudden Move, Martin Scorsese’s forthcoming Killers of the Flower Moon, and yet another detour into the superhero world with the controversially shelved Batgirl (Fraser portrayed the villain Garfield Lynns/Firefly). What we’ve seen and heard from The Mummy actor about his latest endeavour, however, promises to be very different.
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“It’s gonna be like something you haven’t seen before,” teased Brendan Fraser.
“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.”
The Whale has been adapted by MacArthur-winning playwright Samuel D. Hunter, who penned the critically-acclaimed play of the same name all the way back in 2012. As Hunter himself has explained, this union between scribe and director has been something of a dream come true.
“Adapting my play into a screenplay has been a real labour of love for me,” Samuel D. Hunter told Deadline.
“This story is deeply personal, and I’m very thankful it will have the chance to reach a wider audience. I’ve been a fan of Darren’s ever since I saw Requiem for a Dream when I was a college freshman writing my first plays.”
“I’m so grateful that he’s bringing his singular talent and vision to this film.”
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Brendan Fraser and Sadie Sink are joined by Hong Chau as Liz, Samantha Morton as Mary, Ty Simpkins as Thomas, and Sathya Sridharan as an undisclosed character.
The cinematography has been accomplished by seasoned Aronofsky collaborator Matthew Libatique – who’s had a hand in pretty much everything the former has done from Pi to Black Swan; in addition to the likes of Inside Man, Iron Man, Straight Out Of Compton, and A Star Is Born – while the music can be credited to Rob Simonsen (500 Days of Summer, Moneyball, The Spectacular Now).
A24’s The Whale directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Brendan Fraser has an American theatrical release date of December 9th, 2022 (Australian release date TBA). Definitely keep your eyes peeled for this one.
Check out the official synopsis for The Whale below:
A 600-pound middle-aged man named Charlie (Brendan Fraser) tries to reconnect with his 17-year-old daughter (Sadie Sink). The two grew apart after Charlie abandoned his family for his gay lover, who later died. Charlie then went on to binge eat out of pain and guilt.
