Watchmen alum Hong Chau joins Aronofsky’s The Whale adaptation
Almost a month after the initial announcement of the project with Brendan Fraser (Doom Patrol) as the lead, Darren Aronofsky’s adaptation of The whale at A24 has further expanded its line-up to include the Golden Globe nominee Guardian Alum Hong Chau, according to the deadline.
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Based on Samuel D. Hunter’s acclaimed 2012 play, the story takes place on the outskirts of Mormon Country, Idaho, and revolves around a six hundred pound recluse who hides in his apartment and eats himself to death. Desperate to reconnect with his long-estranged daughter, he reaches for her only to find a viciously sharp-tongued and wildly unhappy teenager. Chau is currently performing as Fraser’s best friend, while sources report that Aronofsky was also with Samantha Morton (the Walking Dead) and Sadie Sink (Strange things) to join the cast who would portray Fraser’s daughter in the film.
“Adapting my play to a script was a real love affair for me“Hunter said earlier in a statement.”This story is deeply personal and I am very grateful that it will have the chance to reach a wider audience. I’ve been a fan of Darren since seeing it Requiem for a dream When I was a college freshman writing my first plays, I am so grateful that he brings his unique talent and vision to this film.”
Hunter will adapt the piece, which won the Drama Desk Award, the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play and the GLAAD Media Award, for the big screen, while Aronofsky will direct and co-produce his Protozoa Pictures alongside A24.
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The Oscar-nominated writer / director last sat in the director’s chair for the psychological horror picture 2017 Mother! starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, who received largely polarized reviews from critics but were generally despised by audiences and received an infamous “F” rating for CinemaScore, one of only 22 films to receive such a score.
(Image Credit: Amy Sussman / Getty Images)
