Brendan Fraser is unrecognizable in the first image from Darren Aronofsky’s The Whale. Fraser became a bona fide superstar in the 1990s thanks to films like Encino Man, George of the Jungle and The Mummy. His latest role pairs him with Oscar-nominated director Aronofsky for a drama based on a play by Samuel D. Hunter.

Fraser’s role in The Whale is indeed perhaps the most challenging he’s ever tackled. The film sees the star playing Charlie, a middle-aged man who has become a 600-pound recluse after years of binge-eating to deal with the guilt of leaving his family for his gay lover. Stranger Things’ Sadie Sink co-stars as Ellie, the daughter Charlie wants to re-connect with after abandoning her years before. The cast also includes Hong Chau, Samantha Morton and Ty Simpkins.

This tragic story of a man trying to recover his family has now been set to premiere at the upcoming Venice Film Festival, and A24 celebrates the occasion by releasing a first look image from The Whale of Fraser as Charlie. It’s safe to say Fraser has never been seen like this as he takes on a role that seems bound to garner awards consideration.

Fraser of course is currently in the midst of a career resurgence, after suffering through his own series of real-life personal setbacks, including fall-out suffered after making allegations of sexual assault against one-time HFPA president Phillip Berk. Having battled through depression related to numerous issues, including the effects of various physical injuries suffered both on movie shoots and elsewhere, Fraser now seems poised to regain some of the career momentum he lost after his early run of hits. The actor indeed was featured in 2021 in Steven Soderbergh’s No Sudden Move, and is also set to appear in Martin Scorsese’s upcoming Killers of the Flower Moon. He’ll also be featured in a more mainstream role in the HBO Max superhero film Batgirl.

Fraser’s fans of course could not be happier to see the Mummy and George of the Jungle star returning after so many years out of the spotlight. And if the above newly-released first look at The Whale is any indication, more attention will be coming Fraser’s way as film festival season kicks into high gear and awards buzz begins building. It obviously never hurts awards-wise to hook up with Aronofsky, who previously directed Natalie Portman to an Oscar-winning role in Black Swan, and helped Mickey Rourke garner a nomination for The Wrestler. Getting nominated for an Oscar for The Whale would indeed be a huge win for Fraser after the major ups-and-downs he’s suffered through in his career and life (ups-and-downs that undoubtedly informed his performance as the reclusive and pain-ridden Charlie).