Brendan Fraser inThe Whale(2022).Photo: Courtesy of A24
Samuel D. Hunter, the playwright behindThe Whale, is opening up about pushback from viewers overBrendan Fraser’s portrayal of a 600-pound gay man.
Hunter, who originated the story as a play and wrote the script for the upcoming movie, spoke withEntertainment Weeklyfor an interview published Thursday, detailing his thoughts on the character and Fraser’s transformation to prepare for the role.
The conversation followed directorDarren AronofskytellingVarietythat finding an obese actor to take on the character became a “crazy chase,” saying it was"impossible" to fill the rolewith someone “dealing with those issues.”
“I wrote this play [upon whichThe Whaleis based] because I felt like I’d never seen this story told,” said Hunter. “I wanted to write this character from a place of love and write a character who had this unwavering faith in human beings as his life was kind of falling apart around him.”
InThe Whale, Fraser, 53, plays Charlie, a writing teacher who tries to repair his relationship with his teenage daughter (Sadie Sink) amid his failing health.
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ActorDaniel Franzese, who rose to fame inMean Girls,has been among critical voices aboutThe Whale, telling PEOPLE recently that he was “very conflicted” about Fraser securing the role.
“To finally have a chance to be in a prestigefilm that might be award-nominated, where stories about people who look like us are being told? That’s the dream,” said Franzese, 44.
He added, “So when they go time and time again and cast someone like Brendan Fraser, me and the other big queer guys, we’re like, ‘What the … ?’ We can’t take it!”
Hunter said he understands some of the reaction toThe Whale.
“Look, the history of portraying people suffering with obesity in cinema is not good, they are fundamentally objects of derision or jokes, or they’re completely one-dimensional. I understand when presented with this at face value, a lot ofpeople have a reaction,” Hunter said, adding that he wants the film to be “an invitation” for viewers “to walk in this door and be with this guy.”
“I think you kind of have to take the invitation, you know what I mean? You have to walk in the door,” Hunter continued. “If you meet that invitation with a furrowed brow, then we’re kind of at an impasse. But, if you do take that invitation and go inside, I think you’ll find that this is the diametric opposite of the way obesity has traditionally been portrayed and dealt with in cinema.”
RELATED VIDEO: Brendan Fraser Gets Emotional During 5-Minute Standing Ovation forThe Whalein London
“My depression manifested physically as I self-medicated with food. Fortunately, I had support in my life,” said Hunter. “I had parents who loved me, and I was able to deal with some of my demons and go to therapy and become a healthier person. ButThe Whaleis about a person who didn’t have that support system.”
The film received a 5-minute standing ovation at theLondon Film Festivalthis week, following an8-minute standing ovationat theVenice Film Festivalweeks prior. During both ovations, Fraser was overcome with tears.
Adding to what many have been hailing as a comeback, Fraser also received the Tribute Award for his role in the film at theToronto International Film Festivalgala in early September.
The Whalepremieres in theaters on Dec. 9.
source: people.com
