Brendan Fraser is riding high from his very first Oscar nomination for his role in The Whale. Everyone is happy for him because we love Brendan and want good things for him. It turns out, Brendan wants good things for us too (which is part of the reason we love him) and he makes them happen. Over the weekend, there was a special double bill for fans of The Mummy at the Prince Charles Cinema. Before the films, the organizers announced a special guest, the star, Brendan Fraser, who walked to the stage dressed as his Mummy character, Rick O’Connell.
Brendan Fraser took a break from his Oscar press tour for “The Whale” to give his fans the surprise of a lifetime at a recent double feature screening of “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns” in London. The Prince Charles Cinema screened Fraser’s original two “Mummy” movies on 35mm on Jan. 20, an event that Fraser couldn’t resist the opportunity to show up to himself. Fraser stopped by the event and was met by a big standing ovation.
“I am proud to stand before you tonight,” Fraser told the audience. “This is a film that was made in Britain. You should know that! Even the second one, too. Be proud. Thank you for being here.”
“We had no idea what kind of movie we were making when we shot this,” Fraser added. “We didn’t know if it was a drama or a comedy or an action or a horror picture or a romance… all the above. We had no idea until it tested in front of British audiences. Thank you for that.”
I posted the video below. The best part is the audience sounds excited, but like they don’t truly believe it’s happening until they see him. When they realize Brendan is really there and this isn’t a prank, their applause becomes fevered. Some jump up and others get up but don’t know if they should and get stuck in that half-crouch, should I stand? applause position. Brendan broke the audience. He looked good, too. Just goes to show you the power of a good costumer. Rick’s scarf is still melting knees 24 years later. You know I’m a sucker for someone who remembers their fans. I’m a Brendan fan in general, but I love that he’s returning the love he’s getting. Like, we all showed up to remind him we had his back and he’s telling us he remembers why we fell for him. Or, maybe he’s just as big a fan of The Mummy as we are.
I saw someone on Twitter say we have to get Brendan a decent film so we can stop pretending The Whale isn’t a problematic film. Good actors are frequently given Oscars they should have won earlier for roles that weren’t their best. I’m sure Brendan does a decent job in The Whale, and I know it’s autobiographical for the screenwriter but wow. I, too, wish we could find Brendan something we didn’t have to skirt around all the issues to discuss in a good way.
Photo credit: Getty Images
This is weird, we just watched this movie two nights ago. Well actually I’m annoyed at xfinity because we rented it, watched 2/3 of it then the boys went to bed, and were going to finish it tomorrow night but for some reason it was only a 24 hour rental so we couldn’t finish it, ugh. (it was scarier than I remembered, I realized that I have seen the first half many times but not the end, bc I couldn’t remember what happened, lol.)
Anyway I haven’t seen the Whale because it seems….problematic, I guess. I want to support him but I dunno about that one, but maybe I should watch it before deciding its problematic? I do think he’s going to win the Oscar for that role though.
It depends on what you think is going to be problematic. But overall it’s a good movie and worth seeing
I would say watch it. There are issues with the film (I nearly always have issues with Aronovsky films). But Brendan’s performance is truly worthy of all the hype it is getting. He manages to overcome so much of the unlikable film through extraordinarily subtle acting moments, and his eyes show the humanity of the man. I can’t say I enjoyed the film – back to my earlier Aronovsky comment – but I did enjoy Fraser’s performance. He has earned every award and standing ovation he has received.
I’m not a fan of this director. I’ve only seen 2 of his films; Black Swan & that atrocity with his interpretation of NOAH on his Ark (can’t remember its name)……………..BUT that’s not going to prevent me from watching this movie because strangers online plastered it as ‘PROBLEMATIC’. Hell these award shows and most of these celebs are ‘problematic’. Chances are you probably watched & enjoyed films made by ppl you did not know fell into that category. Myself included. Is it right? NO. But it is what it is. Don’t knock it before you try it.
My husband loves the Mummy movies and says that I look like Rachel Weicsz (at that age). That feels like a huge compliment, and I can actually see it a little bit. I like the Mummy movies fine. I love Brendan though. GEORGE OF THE JUNGLE!
I’m glad you said this about The Whale. As much as I adore Brendan and want all good things for him, this is not a movie I plan to watch. I will watch him in his next movie though.
This was really sweet. I love a comeback story, particularly since his premature departure was not his fault. I first fell for him in George of the Jungle (also one of my favorite stupid cartoons as a kid) & saw the Mummy movies because he was in them even though by that age I had no patience for mummy movies (still give a pass to the Boris Karloff original).
Encino Man really did it for me. Hot, funny, and sweet all in one package.
Brendan Fraser is the other Keanu Reeves. But make it award-winning acting.
Oh I love The Mummy and I love Brendan. I know Mrs. Winterbourne is a cheesy movie but it has him and Shirley MacLaine, he is SO charming in it. I want only good things for him, he seems like such a lovely human being. I really enjoyed him during that actors’ roundtable as well.
Omg Mrs Winterbourne was so good! I liked it better than While You Were Sleeping! So charming.
I just re-watched WYWS a few weeks ago and while it’s cute as hell, something’s a little off. Pill Pullman looks a bit like Sandra’s father tbh. Just age-wise. LOL Still a classic but yeah, Brendan brings something to the part that just makes me swoon every time.
Is the movie really problematic or is the writer/director just not being a “perfect” representation for gay fat people? Most of the criticism I read that it is somehow fatphobic to depict a fat and unhappy gay man eating himself to death.
Does that part just hit too close to home for some or am I missing a larger conversation?
Seems weird to me since Brendan himself has alluded to the themes resonating for him personally too.
Have you seen the film? I saw it a few months ago, and it’s less that it’s not perfect representation, more that it’s an actively bad representation.
Gods and Monsters was when I realized that Brendan wasn’t just another pretty, funny face. And then he was wonderfully lowkey insidious in The Quiet American.
No I haven’t seen it yet! That’s why I was honestly asking. And by actively bad what do you mean? To me if it is biographic how can it be bad ‘respresentation’ if it is a genuine experience?
Oops — just realized that my comment was meant as a reply to another post about movies Brendan has been great in.
I love him and I love The Mummy, it’s what I know him for most. The first one (and to some extent the second) have become one of my go-to if in doubt films or if I’m not feeling great. This is a wonderful thing to do and yes to getting him into more films.
School Ties is one of my favourite movies of his.
How wonderful and I agree with you about the Whale. I love Brendan Fraser getting a role but this move and prostetics and fatsuits… nah.
Btw this cinema is wonderful! They do tons of special events I did sing-a-long-a Sound Of Music and The Greatest Showman and one day I hope to do the solve-a-long-a Murder She Wrote! (https://princecharlescinema.com/PrinceCharlesCinema.dll/WhatsOn?f=11246659 )
I remember someone on Tumblr making up a movie plot with Brendan Fraser and Keanu Reeves playing two rival but retired hitmen who end up begrudgingly working together because the neighbor kid they’ve grown fond of becomes a high level target and they’ve got to protect the kid, take down the bad guy, and not kill each other in the process.
Honestly, would LOVE to see it.
If that were a movie, honestly, just take my money! Would absolutely see it.
George of the Jungle was my first crush. I remember being in day camp the summer of grade 5, and loving George. I also ate four slices of pizza during the movie, which was a personal record.
Brendan Fraser and Rachel Weisz in The Mummy movies are relationship goals and the best romance of all time. She is unrepentantly unconventional, clever and so very good at what she wants to do. He falls for her because of all those things without trying to make her less. By the 2nd movie they are a full on partnership and each others biggest champions.
No one other than Brendan could have played this role. He always exudes genuine kindness and heart. He’s a skilled physical actor from the days of Encino Man onward. (That movie still holds up as a high school comedy classic) He was criminally underrated in The Quiet American with Michael Caine. I love every bit of this recognition for him.
The first Brendan Fraser movie I remember seeing was “School Ties.” It not only had young Brendan, but young Matt Damon, Ben Affleck and Randal Battinkoff (sp?). I think one or two others who would go on to do well also.
I loved him in GotJ, Encino Man and the Mummy movies but I fell for him in that movie, which was a quieter, more serious role. I’m so happy he’s doing well again and thrilled about his Oscar nom, even if I don’t really want to watch The Whale.
What a treat for the people at the theater!
He was really good in School Ties. I always enjoy that film & it showed that he had range, even at a young age.
Darren Aronofsky never should have been offered to direct this film. That dude is issue times ten and his filmography shows it.
Gods and Monsters should have been Brendan’s award winning film. Absolutely fantastic in it.
The first Mummy remains my go-to when I’m stressed and don’t want to talk to anyone. It cheers me right up. Watched it just this past weekend. I’m glad Brendan has made a comeback! Also glad he is a nice guy in RL. I hope to see more of him!
I really love Brendan Fraser (didn’t love how he talked over Drew Barrymore on her show recently, but the dynamics of a talk show can be weird, I’d guess) and am glad he’s gotten a comeback after being blackballed.
I just wish that some of the many women who have gotten effectively blackballed for very similar things would get a similar comeback.
I saw a post on social media that suggested a romcom where Brendan Fraser walks into a library, meets Rachel Weisz the librarian, and falls for her instantly. I would love to see those two back together again in something light and sweet and romantic and funny.
Gotta love Brendan Fraser in Bedazzled flick. His ginger hair son is so alike a soy boy in the film crying over the sunset. Fun fact: Aronovsky used to date Rachel Weisz when she was filming The Mummy and they have a child together. Darren and Bendan might meet up to decades ago.
Let’s get him some fun things. Some romcoms (of which there is a horrible dearth lately), some mysteries, some more fantasy movies. Actually smoosh all those into one. Give him an age-appropriate love interest (Emma Thompson?), and give everyone a good time.
Just watched The Quiet American (an excellent novel as well), and he was terrific.