Brendan Fraser reveals impact of his years away from the spotlight: “There always was a light”

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Brendan Fraser is experiencing a career comeback that fans have affectionately dubbed a “Brendanaissance.” He first became well-known in the early 2000s for his role as an adventurous archaeologist in The Mummy films, but stepped away from acting in the 2010s due to health and personal challenges.

The movie ‘Rental Family’ is inspired by a unique Japanese service: you can actually hire actors to play the roles of your relatives or friends. What are your thoughts on this idea?

This place has been around since the 1980s and now hosts around 300 businesses. It really makes you question where fantasy stops and real life begins – and that’s exactly what the film explores. It’s intentionally a little strange and challenging, and that’s okay. Ultimately, people are searching for genuine connections in a world that often feels disconnected and artificial.

Phillip pretends to be a little girl’s father. Do you think he made the right decision by doing that?

This is a tough situation. My husband and I aren’t always honest with our three sons, which makes me wonder what truths we should share with children. I realize lying to them could really damage their trust. The core issue here is the shame often associated with being a single mother in Japan, and I genuinely feel for that mother – she’s just trying to navigate a difficult situation and do what she thinks is best for her child.

What would you use a rental family agency for?

I’ve always wished I had a sister. Growing up with four brothers, I’d love to have that close bond where we could share life advice and playfully tease each other. I even imagined myself as the protective brother, stepping in if anyone ever bothered her – like telling a bully, ‘She’s my sister, leave her alone!’

I noticed you speak Japanese in the movie. Did you actually learn the language, or did you just memorize the lines for your role?

The film was a fully Japanese production – the entire team, from the director and writers to the actors, were all Japanese – and I received language lessons beforehand. I wasn’t a very good student, though, and I’d forgotten much of what I learned until I actually traveled to Japan. While I can pick up accents and mimic speech pretty well, that wasn’t enough to truly communicate. I wish I’d been able to use more Japanese in the film; a significant amount of my lines were ultimately cut.

Before you won your Oscar for The Whale, you took some time out of the public eye. How did those years away affect the way you see things?

I always knew a spark of hope remained, even when things were tough. I was still me, just needing a time to retreat and recharge. Honestly, going through that period, even if it wasn’t always easy, was really valuable. Now, I feel a weight lifted – like I don’t have to constantly prove myself anymore. But that doesn’t mean I’m stopping! I’m always going to push myself to grow and become a better version of myself.

How did it feel to win the Oscar after all those years away?

Being acknowledged by my colleagues meant a lot to me. I don’t aim to deliver an award-winning performance with every film, and I don’t think that’s the point of filmmaking. However, the recognition did give me a sense of achievement and motivated me to live up to it. It felt deeply rewarding on a personal level.

Did that time away from Hollywood make you relate to the plight of struggling actor Phillip?

Let me tell you something: I’m a much better actor than Phillip. Honestly, I don’t even consider him an actor. He seems to be hired by the agency just to fulfill a diversity requirement. He definitely won’t be performing Shakespeare anytime soon.

In the show Rental Family, Phillip starred in a funny Japanese commercial as a superhero promoting toothpaste. Have you ever done any comparable commercial work internationally?

The most exposure I ever got was from a blue jeans ad in the 90s. They used my photo, even though I’d never been to Japan. Luckily, the payment cleared! Back then, the idea was that if an ad ran overseas, you’d still get paid without it affecting your reputation. It was before people started judging you for taking commercial work, like, ‘Is this what your career has become?’

There have been reports that The Mummy 4 is happening. Is that true?

OK, but how do you feel about the idea of reprising that role, theoretically of course?

Of course I’m enthusiastic about it! I’ve always been a fan of the concept, and I still am. However, the decision isn’t mine to make.

Rental Family arrives in UK cinemas on Friday 15 January.

Authors

Stephen Kelly

Stephen Kelly is a journalist who covers culture and science. He leads the ‘Popcorn Science’ section for BBC Science Focus, where experts each month discuss how realistic new TV shows and films are. His work also appears in publications like The Guardian, The Telegraph, and Wired, among others. He enjoys Studio Ghibli films, supports Tottenham Hotspur, and has a fondness for writing about himself in the third person.

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2026-01-12 21:10