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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Harry Rutter

James Corden 'narrowly missed out' on playing 600-pound obese man in The Whale

James Corden reportedly 'narrowly missed out' on playing a 600-pound obese man in the critically-acclaimed film The Whale – starring Brendan Fraser.

The Gavin and Stacey star, 44, admitted he was "going to play that part" and that Tom Ford was "going to direct" at one point.

According to the TV comedian, George Clooney was also involved in the thriller film project – James says he may have missed out on the lead role due to being "too young".

Brendan landed the starring role in the end, playing an obese English teacher called Charlie who hoped to connect with his teenage daughter.

James says he narrowly missed out on Brendan's role (The Whale)
He admitted thinking he was 'too young' for the job (E! Entertainment/NBC via Getty I)

"I was going to play that part, and Tom Ford was going to direct," James told Deadline. He told the outlet that he was 'too young' to "do it justice".

Director Darren Aronofsky reportedly confirmed all of James' claims in the new interview, also confirming that George Clooney was "involved" too.

He reportedly "only wanted to make the film if an actual 600-pound unknown could be found to play the lead role," reports the outlet.

It comes after Brendan says he was forced to wear a 300lb fat suit filled with dried beans and marbles after failing to pile on "enough weight" for The Whale.

Director Darren reportedly confirmed all of James' claims (A24/TNI PRESS LTD)

The actor, 54, needed some extra help to transform into a 600 pound obese man for the new thriller flick by director Darren Aronofsky.

Speaking of the suit, Brendan said: "There was a five-point harness that had me strapped in. Once into it, I was in there all day until it came off.

"The costume pieces themselves contained combinations of those little airsoft pellets, maybe dried beans, marbles. But the rule was that the whole look should obey the laws of physics and gravity, because we don't see that in films."

James claimed George Clooney was also involved (AFP via Getty Images)

He discussed the new role, which has faced recent controversy over the use of a fat suit, in a new interview with Adam Sandler for Variety.

Brendan explained: "It's important to say this, because there are those who live with this disease.

"I felt empowered to be their voice and to be as honest as I could and as authentic as I could in the portrayal. Look, my weight has been all over the map.

"I put on weight to play this role, and it wasn't enough — so the body had to go on top of that, and the two worked together."

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