Brendan Fraser is in the catbird seat when it comes to choosing his next project.
The actor, 54, who has continued to promote his Oscar-winning performance in The Whale around the world, spoke about his future at the Greenwich International Film Festival on Wednesday.
“Right now I don’t have anything – I’m really picky now.” People reported.
Brendan was honored for his work and his philanthropy as part of the festival’s first-ever Inspiration Talk and award.
ESPN’s Hannah Storm, 60, interviewed the Critics Choice Award winner at the event as he talked about many aspects of his life and career, including how he prepared for his role on The Whale.
Brendan said that while preparing for the role of Charlie, he reached out to the nonprofit Obesity Action Coalition, according to Greenwich time.
New honor: Brendan Fraser, 54, was honored for his body of work and his good works by the Greenwich International Film Festival, as part of the festival’s first-ever Inspiration Talk and award
Their job is to treat the story with dignity and respect. And that meant everything from the design of Charlie’s body to the way characters speak, everything,” he explained to the audience.
The foundation got him to meet 10 people via zoom and the travel companion said he discovered one thing they all had in common. They had all been on the receiving end of demeaning comments from an adult.
“It just illustrates what forms the pattern of destroying a young person’s self-esteem and then linking them to all sorts of reasons why, like Charlie, they can eat to take medicine,” he argued.
“By suppressing the pain inside and internalizing trauma with food, it mirrors how much they feel externally. And Charlie is the personification of that. So I felt obligated to fill the role as their voice and as their champion.”
Brendan is also a champion for his son Griffin, 20, who was diagnosed with autism at a young age.
Proceeds from Wednesday’s ceremony benefited Connecticut-based charity Abilis, which supports and advocates for people with developmental disabilities.
The Canadian-born star shares Griffin with sons Holden, 18, and Leland, 17, with his ex-wife Afton Smith, 55.
“The reason I do what I do is…because of them,” he claimed.
Picky: ESPN’s Hannah Storm, 60, interviewed Brendan about his career and what’s next for him. “At the moment I have nothing – I’m very picky now,” he said
“I am like a scuba diver at the bottom of the ocean with a tube of air coming to the surface where my family and loved ones are. They make sure that the pumps keep running so that I can go on an expedition. It’s a very charmed and happy career I’ve had.’
The actor, who landed his first small role in 1991’s Dogfight, will next star in Martin Scorsese’s Flowers of the Flower Moon, which premieres later this month at the Cannes Film Festival.
Brendan said he has a small role in the thriller based on the 2017 non-fiction book of the same name.
The story focuses on the murders of oil-rich members of the Osage tribe who were murdered under mysterious circumstances in the early days of the FBI in the 1920s.
“It’s like my fantasies about what it’s like to be in a renaissance master’s studio come true,” says People.
Oscar winner: Brendan won the Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal of an obese English professor in The Whale
Humiliating words: Brendan told the audience that he met people who struggled with obesity to prepare for his role in The Whale. The actor revealed that everyone he spoke to said they had turned to food to bury the pain of demeaning words adults had spoken to them
Doing in Cannes: Brendan revealed he has a small role in the upcoming Killers of the Flower Moon. The film will premiere at the Cannes Film Festival later this month
Fantasies Fulfilled: “It’s like my fantasies about what it’s like to be in a Renaissance master’s studio fulfilled,” Brendan said of his collaboration with Martin Scorsese, 80, on the forthcoming Killers of the Flower Moon. Leonardo DiCaprio, 48, is the project’s headliner
“Think about that.” Someone who has all the knowledge, without a doubt, and surrounded by people who are so talented and enthusiastic about his vision.
Referring to the legendary director’s love of theater, he said, “The work we did was kind of like being in an opera or a play because it was done in real time.”
Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert DeNiro and Jesse Plemons are some of the headliners in the crime drama.
“I can’t overstate my participation in this movie because it’s epic,” said the humble star. “There are as many actors in this movie as you see it. I’m coming to the end for a few scenes.’
Killers of the Flower Moon will hit select theaters on October 6 and will release on October 20. After that, it will make its way to Apple TV+.