It’s well-known that filmmaker Darren Aronofsky takes a few years off in-between projects. The last film he directed was the polarizing “Mother!” back in 2017. His rumored return to small-scale filmmaking, with A24’s upcoming “The Whale,” would mean something along the lines of “Black Swan,” “Requiem For A Dream” and his 1998 debut film “The Wrestler.”
According to DiscussionFilm, “The Whale” is set to be produced by A24 and will star Brendan Fraser as a 600-hundred-pound recluse hiding away from the world and slowly eating himself to death. Talk about an insane concept. The film is based on Samuel D. Hunter’s divisive play.
So, Brendan Fraser Best Actor nomination next year? Ladies and gentlemen, the long awaited Brenaissance has arrived. Had they cast Christian Bale he would have insisted on actually gaining a couple of hundred pounds for the role. Alas, Fraser, who stands at around 230-240, and has a round-shaped face, seems ideal for the role (fat suit et al.)
This does sound closer to Black Swan, and The Wrestler, maybe the completion of a trilogy? In an interview with Rappler, DP extraordinaire Matthew Libatique confirmed that he would be reuniting with Aronofsky for his next project. “I’m planning to make a small film with [Darren] Aronofsky that obviously I can’t talk about,” Libatique said. “But yeah, that’s the next thing for me.”
Libatique and Aronofsky, who met in film school, have already collaborated on six movies, including “Requiem For A Dream,” and Libatique’s first Oscar nomination, “Black Swan.” The 52-year-old cinematographer shot two releases this year (“Birds of Prey” and “The Prom”) and is wrapping up Olivia Wilde’s next film, “Don’t Worry Darling.”