Brendan Fraser reveals why he turned down a sequel to his 1997 comedy George of the Jungle

Brendan Fraser is apparently a sure lock for his first Oscar nomination for his performance in The Whale, with the actor pondering a sequel that never was.

The 54-year-old actor starred in the 1997 Disney film George of the Jungle, based on the popular 1960s animated TV series of the same name, and Fraser recently revealed that he was starving for the role.

The film, which also starred Leslie Mann, Thomas Haden Church and Richard Roundtree, was a modest success, grossing $174 million worldwide on a $55 million budget, though when Fraser was approached by Disney for a sequel, It seemed that they did not want to pay him. respectively.

Oscar lock: Brendan Fraser is apparently a safe lock for his first Oscar nomination for his performance in The Whale, with the actor pondering a sequel that never was.

Brendan as George: The 54-year-old actor starred in the 1997 Disney film George of the Jungle, based on the popular 1960s animated TV series of the same name, and Fraser recently revealed he was starving for the role .

A sequel eventually happened, though it went straight to video, with Christopher Showerman replacing Fraser as George and Julie Benz replacing Mann as Ursula, with Thomas Haden Church, John Cleese and Keith Scott reprising their roles.

When asked about the sequel in an interview with entertainment weeklyFraser referenced a scene in the 2003 follow-up where Disney apparently referenced their own low offer to Fraser.

“I think George got a new version, and they made a joke to him that the studio was too cheap to hire me, which was not inaccurate,” Fraser said.

Joke: “I think George got a remake, and was made a joke about the studio being too cheap to hire me, which was not inaccurate,” said Fraser.

Disney did not respond to requests for comment on the sequel, though Fraser recalls that he was interested in another project, The Quiet American.

They approached me. I can’t remember what I was doing at the time, but I felt like I wanted to go make The Quiet American with Michael Caine, and shoot the first Western movie in Vietnam, directed by Phillip Noyce, to tell an infinitely American story. history,” Fraser said.

“I always make diverse decisions and hopefully that keeps me and the public interested. With a little bit of distance, I think they have all cumulatively led to where I am now,” added Fraser.

No comment: Disney did not respond to requests for comment on the sequel, although Fraser recalls that he was interested in another project, The Quiet American

While many call Fraser’s portrayal of 600-pound English teacher Charlie his ‘comeback’ role, the actor questions that, in a sense.

‘The races go up and down in a valley and peak trajectory, but I think it’s always on the rise. I’ve never been this far is the short answer, and the [philosophical] The answer is, really, was I away or was everyone away from me? he said.

I’ll give you the answer: it doesn’t matter. What is important is that, whether by design or by accident, the amount of time it took me to get to the place where I could faithfully play Charlie with the dignity, authenticity and honesty that he demands, may not have been available to me. . I didn’t go on that trip,’ she added.

Comeback: While many call Fraser’s portrayal of 600-pound English teacher Charlie his ‘comeback’ role, the actor questions that, in a sense.

Fraser reunited with his Airheads co-star Adam Sandler for a Variety Actors on Actors interview, where he recalled “starving himself” to achieve his sculpted look.

They waxed me. Hungry for carbs. I would drive home from work and stop for a bite to eat. I needed some cash one day, I went to the ATM and I couldn’t remember my PIN number because my brain was failing,” Fraser admitted.

His new movie The Whale, starring opposite Sadie Sink, Ty Simpkins, Hong Chau and Samantha Morton, hits theaters December 9.

Reunited: Fraser reunited with his Airheads co-star Adam Sandler for a Variety Actors on Actors interview, where he recalled “starving himself” to achieve his sculpted look