Why George Of The Jungle 2 Replaced Brendan Fraser

The 1990s weren’t just about oversized tees, perfect-width jeans, flannels, and choker necklaces, as Instagram trends would have us believe. There was also Brendan Fraser – okay, and some seriously important social and musical movements, but also: Brendan Fraser. From 1992 to 1994, Fraser had a string of hits including Les Mayfield’s “Encino Man,” Robert Mandel’s “School Ties,” Alek Keshishian’s “With Honors,” Michael Lehmann’s “Airheads,” and Michael Ritchie’s “The Scout.”” Even though the early 2000s, the star continued to win over casting directors and audiences alike. After starring in “Blast From the Past” and “Bedazzled” in 1999 and 2001, Fraser transitioned to being a genuine franchise star in “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns.” Nonetheless, Fraser left one franchise after just one film: “George of the Jungle.”

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Taking in nearly $180 million (via Box Office Mojo), the Disney adaptation introduced Fraser to an even wider and more family-friendly audience. Following the success of “D2: The Mighty Ducks” and co-starring Leslie Mann and Thomas Haden Church (“Spider-Man 3”) was an obvious choice. Fraser, who had benefited so much from his role in the original, was conspicuously absent from the sequel.

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It wasn’t unusual for Disney to release a film more than two years after “George of the Jungle 2” was released in 2003. Three films in the first half of the “Terminator” franchise, for example, were released seven and 12 years apart. According to contemporary movie money physics, the follow-up should have been at least as successful as the original. Rather, it was a near-universally panned misstep (per Rotten Tomatoes) that saw only a direct-to-video release. The presence of Brendan Fraser in the film would have changed its fate dramatically, so why did lookalike Christopher Showerman end up taking over the jungle vine from the star?

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As evidenced by the film’s first joke, the studio knew Fraser’s absence would prove problematic. At first glance at the character in the film’s opening scene, the narrator (and the viewer) react with astonishment and confusion. Showerman’s George tells the camera, “Studio too cheap to pay Brendan Fraser.”. A cute and plausible explanation, but not quite accurate. Fraser wasn’t “replaced” because he demanded too much money. As said replacement (Showerman) revealed in a 2003 interview, the actor simply declined to return for the sequel.

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Moviehole published Christopher Showerman’s straightforward “George of the Jungle 2” Cinderella story nearly two decades ago. In response to a question about how he ended up on the project, he simply replied, “I auditioned.” George 2 was drafted up as a DVD premiere after Brendan turned down the role. It was almost a full year later that I was cast as the new lead.

George Of The Jungle 2

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As a consequence, Brendan Fraser was replaced after appearing in genre-altering “The Mummy” and “The Mummy Returns” in the years following “George of the Jungle.” There are many funny and amusing — yet, at the moment, unverifiable — explanations for Fraser’s decision on the internet (including this oft-quoted anecdote from Jim Hill Media), but Showerman’s interview suggests Fraser’s decision wasn’t that uncommon.

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Further, Fraser, who is currently enjoying a renaissance, doesn’t seem to harbor any ill will toward his jungle stand-in. Showerman told the outlet that he once left a note for Fraser while they were both working in Las Vegas. As a result, Original George was unable to respond to Showerman’s note when he finally met Sequel George at a charity event. In an interview with Moviehole, Showerman described him as “a really wonderful man.”.

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