There are many reasons why Brendan Fraser is one of the most notable Oscar nominees this year for his work on The Whale: one of them is the tremendous transformation process he underwent. Adrien Carrotfilm makeup designer.
Brendan Fraser played Charlie in the film Darren Aronofsky. Charlie is a man of more than 600 pounds and, therefore, the actor was going to need prosthetics to simulate such a high weight.
Entertainment Weekly has had the opportunity to chat with Adrien Morot, who is also up for an Oscar in just over two weeks for his fantastic work in the film starring Brendan Fraser.
The makeup designer details the long process of transformation that Brendan Fraser underwent every day that he had to play Charlie on the set of The Whale.
Brendan Fraser put himself in the hands of Morot for the makeup of The Whale
Morot details that the actor wore prostheses both in front and behind that went down to the torso, covering his skin to simulate that of a person with severe obesity.
Brendan Fraser’s arms were also covered in prosthetics that overlapped with those on his torso, which could make movement difficult.
There’s a time lapse video in the Entertainment Weekly article that you can check out to see the tremendous work behind Brendan Fraser’s transformation into Charlie in Darren Aronofsky’s film.
Seeing the enormous work behind the protagonist of The Whale, it is normal for the Academy to consider Adrien Morot and his team for the Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairdressing. It will be on March 13 at dawn —in Spain— when we find out if the film wins any of the three statuettes for which it is nominated.