Brendan Fraser to star as 600lb recluse in Darren Aronofsky-directed dramedy The Whale at A24

Brendan Fraser became a household name with some beloved blockbusters.

And the Encino Man star might be on his way to his first Oscar, thanks to an upcoming high profile film.

He’s set to star as a 600lb recluse in the upcoming Darren Aronofsky-directed father/daughter dramedy The Whale, for which A24 and Aronofsky’s Protozoa Pictures are teaming up for the first time.

The 52-year-old plays Charlie, a 600-pound middle-aged man living on the outskirts of Mormon Country in Idaho, who attempts to reconnect with his 17-year-old daughter.

Their relationship became estranged after he came out as gay and left their family for his lover, who later died, triggering Charlie’s compulsive eating to cope with his grief.

MacArthur-winning playwright Samuel D Hunter is adapting the film, based on his 2012 Off-Broadway play of the same name.

Hunter told Deadline: ‘Adapting my play into a screenplay has been a real labor of love for me. This story is deeply personal and I’m very thankful it will have the chance to reach a wider audience. 

‘I’ve been a fan of Darren’s ever since I saw Requiem for a Dream when I was a college freshman writing my first plays, and I’m so grateful that he’s bringing his singular talent and vision to this film.’

Aronofsky is known for helming such films as The Wrestler (2008), Mother! (2017) and Black Swan (2010), which earned him an Academy Award nomination.

Fans are already building up some awards buzz for Fraser, hoping the high profile gig will serve as his Oscar-worthy comeback.

The role might be a bit of a departure for the actor, whose career took off with heartthrob roles in such films as George of the Jungle (1997) and The Mummy (1999).

Fraser has made appearances in such shows as The Affair, Trust and Doom Patrol in recent years.