Brendan Fraser making a comeback in 2022 is one of the best things to happen in Hollywood, and fans love it. Here’s why.
The video clip of Brendan Fraser being visibly emotional while people stood and clapped for him at the Royal Alexandra Theater during the Toronto International Film Festival went viral some months ago. It was the second time after the Venice Film Festival that the actor would receive such standing ovations this year.
Fraser, who has been away from the limelight for a long time, is finally set to make another splash in the Hollywood scene. It felt good to see the actor once again set to grace after a long screen hiatus. Fraser is one of the most beloved Hollywood actors; however, his career took a downward spiral during the mid 2000s’.
The actor suffered personal losses, injuries, assault, and a lot of heartbreaking things. So seeing him at a movie premiere after all this time brought alot of people joy. Film and media historian Chris Yogerest shared this feeling. He stated:
“It’s almost like the public was just waiting for this moment. Everyone has missed him. Seeing him back on the screen, it was like an old friend was back.”
Fraser Was Cast In “The Whale”
The actor was at the premiere of the movie “The Whale,” where he portrayed the character of a reclusive English teacher. In the movie, Fraser’s character lives with severe obesity and tries to reconnect with his daughter as he struggles to stay alive.
For his appearance in the movie, Fraser had to use a lot of prosthetics in his performance. Speaking about their decision to cast Fraser for the role, director Darren Aronofsky said:
“To find the right actor at the right time, it’s not a calculation. With Brendan it was purely the connection of seeing him as a human being, meeting him, and the energy from him. It was a deep gut feeling.”
Meanwhile, Fraser explained that the director spoke to him about the role before they even had a script. The actor stated that Aronofsky told him about how the character was a man living with regret and was trying to reconnect with his daughter. As documented in his infamous interview with GQ magazine, the “George of the Jungle” star decided to take the role because he knew what those feelings felt like. “The Whale” premiered worldwide in September 2022.
Fraser’s New Movie Causes Controversy
Before the release of “The Whale,” reports about the movie being controversial surfaced. According to the reports, using prosthetics to portray his character effectively was a point of contention. Although actors utilized the process for films in the past, the practice has now received heavy criticism for being fat-phobic and offensive.
After its release, critics also panned the movie for being inherently dehumanizing; some even questioned its purpose. For example, Pia Glenn, a Broadway actress, in a Twitter post expressed:
“Mr. Fraser’s ‘comeback’ and personal journey as an actor and human are significant, and I hate that I feel so negatively about the project that brought them about. However, I know I won’t see it, so I’ve been reading reviews.”
Aubrey Gordon, an author, and co-host of the Maintenance Phase, a podcast, also criticized the film. According to him, the movie served as a reminder of how tragic it is to be fat and how superior it is to be thin.
Frasers’ Career-Halting Injuries and Losses
During the 1990s, Brendan Fraser worked on new movies successively. The actor’s newfound fame as a movie star meant he spent the early 2000s filming and working on numerous movies. Between 2000 and 2003, he made “Bedazzled,” “MonkeyBone,” “Looney Toons: Back in Action,” and “The Mummy Returns.”
By 2008 while filming the third installment of “The Mummy” movie franchise, the actor’s physical health had declined. He had ice packs attached to his body and biking pads to aid him while filming. Unfortunately, these resulted in extensive injuries, and Brendan had to undergo multiple surgeries.
The actor underwent a laminectomy and a partial knee replacement. He also had surgery on his back, bolting various compressed spinal pads together. His body condition was so bad he needed to have his vocal cords fixed.
However, besides the physical issues, Fraser also had to deal with a divorce. He and Afton Smith dated for five years before tying the knot in 1998. Sadly, their union ended in 2007 when she filed for divorce. Afterward, Afton demanded $900,000 in alimony and child support for their children, Griffin, Holden, and Leland.
Her request for such an expensive amount left the actor in serious financial woes and unable to fulfill payment obligations. Thankfully after the success of his movies “Brothers” and “Killers of the Flower Moon,” Fraser’s finances became better. Fraser’s comeback is heartwarming to many people who watched him dominate the screens at a point, and it’s good to have him back.