''Big Bug Man'' is an unreleased American animated
television film
A television film, alternatively known as a television movie, made-for-TV film/movie or TV film/movie, is a feature-length film that is produced and originally distributed by or to a television network, in contrast to theatrical films made for ...
starring
Brendan Fraser
Brendan James Fraser ( ; born December 3, 1968) is an American-Canadian actor known for his leading roles in blockbusters, comedies, and dramatic films. Having graduated from the Cornish College of the Arts in 1990, he made his film debut in '' ...
and
Marlon Brando. The film is a Studio-Free Studios Production, and it was originally to be released between 2006 and 2008, but was never released or distributed. The film is Marlon Brando's last known film work.
The film is written by
Bob Bendetson
Robert Bendetson (born August 28, 1954) is an American television writer and producer. He has written for a number of TV series, including '' ALF'', ''Home Improvement'' and two episodes for ''The Simpsons'' (season 12's " Simpsons Tall Tales" ...
, who also wrote episodes for the TV show ''
The Simpsons
''The Simpsons'' is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical depiction of American life, epitomized by the Simpson family, which consists of Homer Simpson, Homer, Marge ...
''. It is directed by Bendetson and
Peter Shin
Peter Shin is an American animator, director, and producer who served as supervising director of '' Stewie Griffin: The Untold Story'', the director of ''Big Bug Man'', the director of ''Family Guy'' episodes " Death Has a Shadow" (the series premi ...
.
Plot
Candy company worker Howard Kind (
Brendan Fraser
Brendan James Fraser ( ; born December 3, 1968) is an American-Canadian actor known for his leading roles in blockbusters, comedies, and dramatic films. Having graduated from the Cornish College of the Arts in 1990, he made his film debut in '' ...
) gains special abilities after being bitten by insects.
Production
The film is
hand-drawn. The production of the film cost approximately US$20 million.
Marlon Brando during the production
Brando was originally asked to be the voice of Nicholas Dunderbeck, but Brando thought it would be fun to voice the old lady Mrs. Sour instead.
Mrs. Sour is only in three scenes, so it took only one day to record the voice of this character.
According to the director Bob Bendetson, Brando wore a blond wig, a dress, white gloves, and full makeup while recording the voice of Mrs. Sour. Bendetson believes this was part humorous, and part wanting to get into character. Bendetson said "About halfway through he took off the wig because he was getting too hot."
According to the film's executive producer Gabriel Grunfeld, Brando described the part as "the most fun I've had since playing
Julius Caesar." Grunfeld said that even though Brando was frail, he was full of energy and invention.
The recording took place in Marlon Brando's home, on June 10, 2004. By this point in his life, Brando was on oxygen six hours a day.
He died the next month, on July 1, 2004.
Characters
* Howard Kind - Voiced by
Brendan Fraser
Brendan James Fraser ( ; born December 3, 1968) is an American-Canadian actor known for his leading roles in blockbusters, comedies, and dramatic films. Having graduated from the Cornish College of the Arts in 1990, he made his film debut in '' ...
. A soft and unfortunate employee of the candy factory, who accidentally gets bitten by bugs, and becomes the Big Bug Man
* Mrs. Sour - Voiced by
Marlon Brando. The founder, leader and matriarch of the big and corrupt ''Mrs. Sour Candy Company''
* Petfarkin
* Nicholas Dunderbeck - runs the ''Mrs. Sour Candy Company''
* Elle Rose
* Sidney Looper
* Seen It All Jackson
* Heard It All Jackson - a dog
Michael Madsen
Michael Søren Madsen (born September 25, 1957) is an American actor. He has starred in many films and television series, frequently collaborating with director Quentin Tarantino, most famously in the latter's debut film ''Reservoir Dogs'' (19 ...
also lent his voice to the movie, in an unspecified role.
References
External links
*{{IMDb title, 10905860
Unreleased American films
American superhero films
American television films
American animated films
Animated films about insects
2000s unfinished films
Unfinished animated films
2000s English-language films
2000s American films