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After getting standing ovations and applause at festivals during the 2023 awards season, Brendan Fraser secured the Best Actor Oscar for his role in Darren Aronofsky’sThe Whale. The beloved actor is known for his excellent dramatic skills as he mostly starred in physical comedies likeEncino ManandGeorge of the Jungle.But do you know, he was almost ready to be part of the most anticipated genre?
DCEU is looking to expand the multiverse by allowing them to explore different versions of characters, set up stories for future flicks, and create crossovers. And it is not a hidden secret that the studio is looking for A-listed stars to feature in their upcoming movies. But there was a time when Brendan Fraser (mostly known for his dramatic portrayal at that time) almost became Superman in the DC Universe.
Also read:“I was killing myself laughing”: Brendan Fraser’s Furry Co-star in $174M Film Had a Full Blown Nervous Breakdown On Set After a Scene Went Awry
Brendon Fraser was Almost the Superhero in J.J. Abrams’Superman: Flyby
In a recent conversation withHoward Stern, the Oscar nominee shared the experience of being considered for Superman. No doubt, Abrams’ script forSuperman: Flyby, attracted many A-list stars in Hollywood during that period.
Fraser recognized that landing the role of Superman would be a life-changing opportunity for him, but he also had to come to terms with the idea that was coming to his mind:
‘Okay, say you do get the job to be the Man of Steel, it’s gonna be chipped on your gravestone, are you okay with that? I mean, forever more known as the Man of Steel.’”
The Whaleactor continued:
“There was a sort of Faustian bargain that went into it, I think inherently, I didn’t want to be known for only one thing because I prided myself on diversity my whole professional life and I’m not a one-trick pony.”
Although he didn’t get the role,Superman: Flybydidn’t progress beyond development at Warner Bros. either, to which he says:
“I felt disappointed that there was an amazing opportunity and it didn’t come to fruition,” Fraser said about not landing the role. “It had to do a lot with some shenanigans and studio politics. And probably, inherently, in my screen test. I think that’s why you test… they could kind of see I was only there like 98%.”
Warner Bros. and Abrams were working onSuperman: Flyby around 2002. But the studio changed direction for the character when the project was put on hold. This led toSuperman Returns, directed by Bryan Singer, where Brandon Routh played the leading role.
Also read:“I got a very angry phone call”: Rachel Weisz Felt Humiliated by Brendan Fraser’s $403M ‘The Mummy’ Director That Made Her Leave Movie After Being Asked to Play a Mother
Brendan Fraser is No Longer a Stranger to DC Anyways
Even though Fraser didn’t get the chance to feature as one of the strongest characters of the DC universe, he is no longer a stranger to DC.Brendan Fraserwould have portrayed the DC supervillain Firefly. Although his portrayal of Firefly inBatgirl(a now-canceled movie) might be the only comic book of his role of his that remains unseen.
Besides that, Fraser voiced Cliff Steele (in flashback sequences), aka Robotman, inDoom Patroland also physically portrayed the character’s past self in certain parts, sharing the role with Riley Shanahan. It was recently announced that the show’s fourth season would be the last, ending Fraser’s work in that cosmos.
Also read:“He had a conflict”: Leonardo DiCaprio Turned Down Playing the Role of Vietnam Vet With Tom Hanks’ Wife in $37M Cult-Classic That Roped in Brendan Fraser to Replace Him
Source:Variety
Shreya Jha
Articles Published :1042
Meet Shreya, FandomWire’s go-to Pop-Culture Writer. She holds a master’s degree in Journalism and a pop culture obsession that rivals even the most die-hard ‘Star Wars’ and Marvel fans.Her articles have been published in Animated Times, Creator Mail, and The Luxxe Mag. When Shreya’s not busy dishing out hot takes, she is lost in the world of rom-coms.
