Brendan Fraser’sOscar win was an exciting moment that felt likeThe Whale’s star had finally achieved the comeback movie fans had long waited for. Through a compelling performance as the morbidly obese English teacherCharlie in Darren Aronofsky’sThe Whalein 2022, Fraser’s devastating performance stood as an empathetic character study exploring the reclusive life of a broken man.
While many hopedFraser’s 2023 Academy Award winwould signal a return to the leading man status he enjoyed in works likeThe Mummyfranchise, the truth is we haven’t seen an awful lot from this Best Actor recipient in more recent years. Despite some supporting performances,it feels like Fraser has been somewhat tentative in reaping the benefits of his post-Oscar acclaim.
Brendan Fraser Made A Long-Awaited Comeback To Mainstream Success With The Whale
The Whale Was Fraser’s First Major Leading Role In Years
As one of the biggest stars of the 1990s, Brendan Fraser’s decline from the spotlight felt jarring after he achieved his breakout success withEncino Manin 1992 and went from strength to strength in the years following. Roles inThe Mummy,George of the Jungle, and theBest Picture winnerCrashsolidified Fraser as a major star.
However, it appearsFraser’s troubles began at the height of his popularity, as he later claimed in aGQinterview, that he was sexually assaulted by the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Phillip Berk, in 2003. Fraser says he rejected his advances, but believes this ultimately had a negative impact upon his burgeoning Hollywood career.
It should be noted that Phillip Berk has denied all of Fraser’s complaints.
Through a combination of stress, health issues, and a divorce, Fraser experienced mental health struggles that caused him to take a break from acting. Following this, the opportunities Fraser was being offered became far less prestigious than the mainstream Hollywood hits he had grown used to.
While Fraser had some interesting roles during these difficult years, it was not until he landed the leading part inThe Whalethat he truly regained mainstream success.This period was dubbed “The Brennaissance” by fanswho eagerly awaited his return. However, despite his Oscar win and some interesting jobs thereafter, Fraser has not been a regular presence on our screens in the years sinceThe Whale.
What Brendan Fraser Has Done Since The Whale
Fraser’s Yet To Deliver A True Follow-Up Role To The Whale
Brendan Fraser’s Academy Award was an incredible achievement that beat out Oscar-worthy performances such as Colin Farrell inThe Banshees of Inisherinand Austin Butler’s turn inElvis. Following this,it was exciting to see Fraser join the cast of Martin Scorsese’sKillers of the Flower Moon, but a true return to leading man status was not forthcoming.
There were other roles, such as a small part in the crime comedyBrotherswith Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage, or being the narrator for the nature documentarySea Lions of the Galapagos, but nothing close to the standout work that earned him the title of Best Actor. Disappointingly, perhaps the biggest movie Fraser has made in his post-Oscar career was never even released.
One Of Brendan Fraser’s Biggest Projects Was Never Released
Batgirl Was Shelved By Warner. Bros.
One project that had the potential to keep the momentum from Fraser’s Oscar win wasBatgirl, a DC Extended Universe release that was shelved by Warner Bros. Discovery in 2022. Fraser played the villainous Firefly inBatgirland was joined by major names like J. K. Simmons as James Gordon and Michael Keaton’s grand return as Bruce Wayne/Batman.
Despite already having entered post-production, in an unprecedented move,the studio decided to cancelBatgirlas a cost-cutting measure. Fraser was totally blindsided byBatgirl’scancellation, and according to a piece inVariety,said the news was a “gut punch” but stressed when he found out it was done to write off debt, “that part really stung.”
Brendan Fraser’s Upcoming War Movie Could Be His Best Role Since The Whale
This Is A Chance For Fraser To Show Off His Post-Oscar Range
While it seems Brendan Fraser has had plenty of difficulties and false starts in his career, he does have a major role in an upcoming war movie that could turn the tide on his career difficulties. That’s becauseFraser is set to take up the role of President Dwight D. Eisenhowerin the British theater adaptation,Pressure.
With this lofty presidential role, Fraser has the opportunity to show off his range in his post-Oscar era.
As a film based on the play by David Haig,Pressureexplores the final days before the planned Allied invasion of Europe in 1944 and the meteorologist (Andrew Scott) who must deliver the weather report that will decide the feasibility of D-Day. With this lofty presidential role, Fraser has the opportunity to show off his range in his post-Oscar era.
Fraser’s career has been a thrill to witness over the past several decades, and the fact that he finally gained some long overdue acclaim forThe Whalewas a powerful recognition of his incredible talent. Yet, it’s hard not to feel like he has so much more potential as a mainstream star if only he’d get the right material.
With an upcoming project that could broaden his horizons, and even continued fan interest in a fourthMummymovie with Fraser, there’s hope that “The Brennaissance” hasn’t come to an end just yet. It’s only been three short years since his win forThe Whale, and it’s not too late forBrendan Fraserto recapture the heights of his glory days.
