MovieChat Forums > The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor (2008) Discussion > What the Hell Happened to Brendan Fraser...

What the Hell Happened to Brendan Fraser?

posted 12 years ago by TMC-4
18 replies | jump to latest

http://lebeauleblog.com/2013/03/02/what-the-hell-happened-to-brendan-r aser/

By this point, you could pretty safely assume that Fraser’s days as a box office draw were behind him. And yet against all odds, Fraser pulled off a hit in the 2008 sci-fi adventure flick, Journey to the Center of the Earth.

The movie was a loose adaptation or sequel to the Jules Verne novel of the same name. It returns Fraser to the kind of family friendly action that made the Mummy films box office hits. It also benefitted from being ahead of the 3-D craze that would peak with Avatar in 2009.

Journey got mixed to positive reviews and was a surprise hit at the box office. It only opened at #3, but held on for several weeks. Additionally, it performed very well overseas.

It was successful enough to merit a sequel which replaced Fraser with his Mummy 2 co-star, Dwayne Johnson. The sequel outgrossed the original. Johnson is slated to appear in a third Journey film.

Later that year, Fraser returned to the Mummy franchise for The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor.

Maria Bello stepped in for Rachel Weisz who refused to reprise her role. Jet Li joined the cast as a new villain. Despite negative reviews, the third Mummy film was also a hit. A fourth film in the series was planned. But instead, Universal has decided to reboot the series.

[–] Universalmike15 11 years ago

It's like he stopped being am action hero after Mummy 3. I really want to see him on the big screen again!

[–] 11 years ago

[deleted]

[–] TheChamCham 11 years ago

You can. He has worked steadily since this movie. He was injured making all three Mummy films and due to a severe back injury suffered off set and subsequent surgery he has had to give up action films.

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

[–] Ten-Inch-Toni 11 years ago

I knew there had to be a reason. But you know, the guy can actually act, now he just needs the right scripts.

[–] TheChamCham 11 years ago

Exactly. The problem now is the short-sighted people in (and outside of) the industry who can only see him in CGI-laden films.They cannot seem to remember that he has done wonderful work in straight dramatic roles in order for them to think of him when casting those roles now. He switched agencies not long ago and they do not seem to be doing anything for him. It might be time to switch again, because if the people promoting you are not doing their job, how is he supposed to do his ?

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

[–] reaseltbim 10 years ago

do you know what caused his back injury? You just made me very very curious about it and about what happened but I cant find anything about it

right....

[–] TheChamCham 10 years ago

Yes, it was a freak accident after Hurricane Sandy. A tree fell on Brendan's house and instead of calling someone to come over and deal ( he's a chronic do it yourselfer) with it he got out the chainsaw and while he was trying to cut up the tree the blade jammed and pulled him and really did his back in. He decided to have surgery (brave!) and went through therapy but a back injury never completely goes away and rainy days, too many hours on his feet, stress, etc. will keep it nagging. I have an old riding injury and chose not to have surgery (not brave)and the weather, especially, is not my friend.

Keep a good thought for Brendan. He's been through a lot and deserves a break. Cheers!

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

[–] reaseltbim 10 years ago

thank you for the reply.

this makes me really sad, he is one of my favorite actors and he seems like a really really cool person.
reading the post made me pretty sad. I hope he is okay

right....

[–] TheChamCham 10 years ago

Your kindness is much appreciated. I wish people would give the rude comments a rest and show some support. We all go through tough times and constantly being bashed for purely superficial reasons is so pointless. There are plenty of celebrities who may deserve a tongue lashing but Brendan is not one of them. ( I do encourage his supporters to visit his ex's message board and put in their two cents. I know she reads it ,although I don't understand why she still has one. Glorified extras usually don't.)

Thanks again. Cheers !

"I say,open this door at once! We're British !"

[–] reaseltbim 10 years ago

I really never understood the hate. ever. Even if he made silly movies (like furry vengeance) what actor has not made silly movies?
Ben Kingsley was in Love Guru, Morgan Freeman was in Evan Almighty, etc lol.

people are so pathetic. he is so good at what he does.
right....

[–] nddostal 9 years ago

is that why he got all fat and disgusting looking?

[–] TheChamCham 9 years ago

Your opinion.

Apparently, you have not seen him recently. I have, and he's looking and feeling great.

[–] shawnpuwo 9 years ago

Has he lost any weight since his last role?

http://www.flickeringmyth.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/texas-rising5.jpg

Some other actors his age are in much better shape, but it's understandable considering his hardships.

He's going to have to come to grips with the fact that he can't play a ripped action star like he used to. His best bet for a comeback is to play a drastically different role. Something where he's violent / a bad guy / etc. If he starts small, like a netflix series or small indie film, there's no reason why he can't have a career again if he nails the part.

Alternatively, he could try writing something with a part for him, but I don't know what his abilities are in this area.

[–] TheChamCham 9 years ago

That is not his most recent role. He made a film last summer that is in post production.

He does not want to/cannot do action anymore which is why he turned down several things.

He does not need to "comeback". He never actually left. He is on a self-imposed hiatus.

[–] shawnpuwo 9 years ago

He is on a self-imposed hiatus.

Yah-huh sure, just like Jessica Biel.

Brendan's best chance to have any sort of relevancy again is to aggressively pursue a drama role on a Netflix show. It has to be totally different from the action star he used to be.

I doubt he'll end up being able to do that though. He seems to be a pretty meek guy. Looks like he doesn't like to ruffle any feathers. Probably not the type to be aggressive about anything in life.

[–] reaseltbim 10 years ago

do you know what caused his back injury? You just made me very very curious about it and about what happened but I cant find anything about it

right....

[–] Wombstar 10 years ago

his best movie was Monkeybone.

[–] michelleod1 9 years ago

i loved him in George of the Jungle & Journey to the center of the earth! i really do miss seeing him in more films! :[