Brendan Fraser Unsure Of His Next Role As He's 'Really Being Picky' After Oscar Win

In an interview, Brendan Fraser revealed he is yet to decide on his next project after winning the Best Actor Academy Award for his role in "The Whale." However, Fraser will star in Martin Scorsese's upcoming crime drama "Killers of the Flower Moon," which will be released in select theaters on October 6th.

Fraser was honored with the GIFF Inspiration Award, recognizing his contributions to the film industry and philanthropic work, particularly his role in "The Whale." 

Keep on reading to learn more.

During a chat with broadcaster Hannah Storm at the Greenwich International Film Festival's inaugural Inspiration Talk and award ceremony in Stamford, Connecticut, actor Brendan Fraser revealed that he is yet to decide on his next project, more than a month after winning the Best Actor Academy Award at the 95th Oscars for his role in "The Whale."

When Storm asked about his upcoming film plans, Fraser jokingly responded, "I read the trades the other day. Apparently, I'm going to have to pick up a picket sign," referencing the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike. He added that it could potentially be a "long summer."

"At the moment, I don't have anything — I'm being picky right now," Fraser concluded, per People magazine. However, he mentioned that he would be starring in Martin Scorsese's highly anticipated crime drama "Killers of the Flower Moon," set to debut at the Cannes Film Festival later this month.

The actor expressed his excitement for the film and its impressive cast and director, saying, "I will tell you that I'm excited to see it myself." 

Fraser praised Martin Scorsese for creating an unparalleled working environment while filming "Killers of the Flower Moon." The highly anticipated movie, adapted from David Grann's best-selling book of the same name, explores the 1920s murders of members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma and the early days of the FBI.

Fraser, who stars alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, and Jesse Plemons, compared working with Scorsese to being in a "Renaissance master's studio" surrounded by talented and enthusiastic individuals.

Fraser explained that due to the filmmaker's unique filming style, the work on set felt like part of an "opera or a play happening in real-time." He added that everyone on the production was honored to work with Scorsese, even if it meant enduring the sweltering heat of an Airbnb in Oklahoma during the summer of 2021. "It's Scorsese," he marveled.

"Killers of the Flower Moon" will be released in select theaters on October 6th, followed by a wider US release on October 20th. The movie will then be available to stream globally on Apple TV+.

Recently, Fraser was honored with the GIFF Inspiration Award, recognizing his contributions to the film industry and philanthropic work.

The award acknowledges Fraser's exceptional work with Abilis, a nonprofit organization that services children with special needs. It also recognizes his remarkable performance in the critically acclaimed film "The Whale." In the movie, Fraser plays the character of Charlie, a man grappling with severe morbid obesity resulting from a traumatic experience. Despite his struggles, Charlie attempts to reconnect with his estranged teenage daughter.

According to Wendy Stapleton, GIFF's co-founder, Fraser's performance in "The Whale" reminds us of the importance of empathy and understanding towards people with obesity. "One of the core beliefs of GIFF is that a story has the power to create empathy and understanding among people of all different backgrounds," she said, according to Greenwich Times. "Brendan's gripping Academy Award-winning portrayal of Charlie in 'The Whale' did just that."

While preparing for the role of Charlie in "The Whale," Fraser worked closely with the Obesity Action Coalition, a nonprofit organization committed to supporting and improving access to treatment for individuals struggling with obesity. The 54-year-old was determined to treat the sensitive topic of obesity with respect, "and that meant everything from the design of Charlie's body to the way that characters speak, everything," he explained, per the Greenwich Times.

The coalition connected Fraser with around ten people who shared their stories of living with obesity via Zoom. Fraser found that one common thread running through their stories was the hurtful words and attitudes of adults in their earlier years that had shattered their confidence and self-esteem.

"It just exemplifies what sets the pattern of shattering a young person's confidence and then coupling them with all sorts of reasons, they can find themselves, like Charlie, eating to medicate," Fraser stated. "Repressing the pain down inside and internalizing trauma with food reflects how much they feel externally. And Charlie is the personification of that. So, I felt a sense of obligation to the role as their voice and champion," he added.