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- Marlon Brando’s Early Career and Last Gig
- The Marlon Brando Film Would Never Be Released
As a seasoned cinephile who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless stars, I can confidently say that Marlon Brando’s career was nothing short of extraordinary. His performances in iconic films like “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “On the Waterfront,” and “The Godfather” etched him into the annals of cinema history. Yet, it is his final role, voice acting for an old lady in a never-released animated film titled “Big Bug Man,” that remains a fascinating footnote in his illustrious career.
Many people, both critics and film experts, often agree that Marlon Brando was one of the most outstanding American actors in the 20th century. His impressive body of work includes films like “A Streetcar Named Desire,” “On the Waterfront,” “Julius Caesar,” “Apocalypse Now,” and “The Godfather.” Brando passed away at the age of 80 in 2004, and one might wonder about his last completed film. Was it a powerful gangster movie or intense war drama? Or perhaps a thought-provoking dramatic piece? However, if you guessed a low-budget, animated Spider-Man knockoff where Brando lent his voice to an elderly character that never even made it to theaters, then congratulations! That was indeed one of his final projects.
Indeed, Marlon Brando’s final on-screen appearance was in an animated film titled “Big Bug Man“. Initially planned for release during the mid-2000s, this movie has remained unseen due to its shelving and subsequent disappearance from public view. This is surprising given that both Brando and Brendan Fraser were part of the voice cast. While other characters were also involved, many of their actors remain obscure. One may wonder how such a film came to be associated with a cinematic icon like Brando, and why an animated knock-off claimed “The Godfather“‘s leading man. Let us delve into the story behind “Big Bug Man“, and ponder if it could ever resurface again.
Marlon Brando’s Early Career and Last Gig
1924 saw the birth of Marlon Brando, and this year also marks the centennial of his life as well as the 20th anniversary since his passing. Brando began his career on Broadway in the 1940s before transitioning to film in the early 1950s. He maintained a consistent acting schedule throughout the 1960s and ’70s, only to step away from the spotlight in the ’80s. Brando made a comeback in the ’90s, but he retired again in the early 2000s. If his final film, “The Score” released in 2001, was indeed his last, then we wouldn’t be discussing him today, would we?
The animated series titled “Big Bug Man” was developed by Studio-Free Studio, with notable figures in animation involved. The script and direction were handled by Bob Bendetson, who has a history of writing episodes from the early 2000s for “The Simpsons.” Peter Shin, who’s been part of “Family Guy” since its inception, took on co-director duties. Unfortunately, not much is known about the plot or characters, but it seems to revolve around the protagonist, Howard Kind.
In the movie, when Howard gets bitten by insects, he gains extraordinary abilities. Brendan Fraser portrayed Howard, while Andre 3000 and Michael Madsen handled additional voice roles. The tale of Brando obtaining his role in Big Bug Man seems almost unrealistic, but according to CBS News, the team apparently approached him for another part. However, Brando requested instead to voice the elderly character of Mrs. Sour. As per director Bendetson, Brando reportedly wanted this role because voicing an old lady in an animated film was said to be on his wish list.
There isn’t much information available about Mrs. Sour beyond her brief appearance in three scenes, where she was portrayed as the primary adversary. It is mentioned that Marlon Brando, for his performance, wore a wig, dress, gloves, and makeup to fully immerse himself into the character. This role, playing an elderly woman, would be Brando’s final work. Due to Mrs. Sour’s limited screen time, all her lines were recorded in a single day. The production team traveled to Brando’s home in June 2004, during which he was using oxygen for around six hours daily. On that particular day in June, Brando completed his part, and tragically passed away just a few weeks later on July 1. It was an unusual and peculiar conclusion to the legendary American actor’s career.
The Marlon Brando Film Would Never Be Released
Although Marlon Brando’s heartfelt enthusiasm for the character in “Big Bug Man” was undeniable, it seems highly unlikely that this project will ever come to fruition. Initially planned for release sometime between 2006 and 2008, following Brando’s recording of his lines, the reasons behind its shelving remain unclear. One possibility is that production ceased upon Brando’s passing, as continuing without him might have disrespected his memory. Additionally, rumors swirled about a potential television release on Nickelodeon, but that never transpired. Now, over two decades later, any hope of “Big Bug Man” serving as Marlon Brando’s final film seems all but vanished.
It’s disappointing that the unconventional role he was so enthusiastic about may never be seen by many. Reportedly, this role gave him as much joy as playing Julius Caesar did. Perhaps if people keep discussing Big Bug Man, the production team might discover a way to bring it to light. This could serve as a meaningful tribute to Brando and his last film work before he passed away. However, if it stays concealed, the tale of Marlon Brando’s peculiar final role may remain one of those intriguing facts that only surface after too much browsing online.
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2024-11-30 23:33