Brendan Fraser’s recent years have been nothing short of extraordinary. After years out of the spotlight due to physical and emotional struggles, Fraser made a triumphant return to the public eye with The Whale. The former star of The Mummy series captured hearts with his performance in Darren Aronofsky’s (melo)drama, which earned him his first Academy Award. In a recent interview, Fraser reflected on his comeback and shared the sage advice he received from Ian McKellen. McKellen encouraged him to always remain humble and approach every role as though it were both his first and last performance. According to Fraser, this perspective breathes life into every character.
Fraser’s latest project is the action-comedy Brothers, where Josh Brolin and Peter Dinklage take the lead roles. He’s also working on the thriller Pressure. In an interview with Deadline about these projects, Fraser discussed his Oscar win and the newfound popularity it brought, which still feels surreal to him:
"I still have to pinch myself again and again to believe I’m not just dreaming. And I think this feeling will stay with me for the rest of my life. It’s still overwhelming when people recognize me on the street. I’ve never really gotten over that feeling from when someone told me, 'Fraser, get back in the ring; you’ve got more to do in this industry!' I hope I hold onto that sense of wonder. If I’ve learned anything from Ian McKellen, it’s that you should approach this craft as if it’s both your first and last chance to perform. That’s when the work truly comes alive."
McKellen, it seems, was not only a wise mentor as Gandalf but in real life too. Fraser and McKellen worked together on the biographical drama Gods and Monsters. Directed by Bill Condon (Beauty and the Beast), the film delves into the life of director James Whale and the creation of his classic Frankenstein, along with his later years. Whale, who was gay, navigated an era when Hollywood harbored many LGBTQ+ artists but required them to keep their identities discreet. Themes of queerness could only be depicted subtly, such as in Frankenstein or Whale’s later work, The Invisible Man. In Gods and Monsters, McKellen portrays Whale, while Fraser plays his gardener, with whom Whale develops a complex relationship. McKellen earned an Oscar nomination for his role, and the film won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
