While he posted a brilliant performance in The Whale, Brendan Fraser has revealed that it wasn’t always easy to cool down on set. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, The Whale follows Fraser’s character Charlie, who is a 600-pound English man struggling to cope with family pressures as he anticipates a coming death. Released on December 9, the film also stars Sadie Sink as Charlie’s daughter, Hong Chau as his nurse, and Samantha Morton as his ex-wife.
Yet, while the role itself was certainly difficult, Fraser’s make-up also added an extra layer of complexity. With pounds of make-up and a full bodysuit covering him, Fraser was always at risk of hurting himself by staying in the suit for too long. While The Whale wasn’t based on a true story, the VFX team still wanted to stay true to the character and were constantly updating the suit to show the changes in Charlie’s health. In an interview with Variety, Fraser discusses just how difficult it was to keep from overheating in his costume, explaining:
“The pieces that were created went on like a glove, and I was in this five-point harness. We learned a lot as we went along about the legs, which were like boots that went to about mid-thigh. Underneath was a body-sculpted costume that was modular, and there were several layers and a cooling suit similar to what racecar drivers wear. It’s tubes that are crisscrossed and run cold water over your body. Mastering the right temperature was a challenge… My body melted eight bags.”
Other Difficult Brendan Fraser Roles
Having to wear a suit that complex only added to the challenge of Fraser’s The Whale role. It can be difficult enough to play a dying character estranged from his family. Yet to do so while lined with a harness and cooling suit is genuinely impressive. Fraser not only had to worry about playing his part, but he also needed to trust that his team created the perfect suit that would have to function for weeks of filming.
While The Whale‘s Charlie was certainly a challenge for Fraser, it was not the first difficult role he took on. Fraser almost died filming The Mummy after he lost consciousness during a hanging scene in the middle of filming. The moment was harrowing, and Fraser was only roused by EMTs on set. While he didn’t have to worry about suits breaking down and overheating him, the idea that he was suffering asphyxiation while playing a role was certainly unnerving. No actor should have to put their life on the line just to film a movie.
In a less terrifying moment, Fraser’s George of the Jungle filming merited an apology after realizing that one of the stunts terrified onlookers. After all, as he leaped to rescue what was really nothing more than a mannequin, those on the ground thought that he was really saving a parachutist from the Bay Bridge. It was a difficult role just from a stunt perspective, but the thought that Fraser felt the need to apologize years later shows his sense of humor and how challenging a role it was. While it may not have been as troubling as needing eight bags of ice in The Whale, it must have been quite hard.
Source: Variety