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During the 1990s, Brendan Fraser was a prominent figure in Hollywood, known for delivering hit after hit. However, by the mid-2000s, his career appeared to lose momentum. Instead of blockbuster successes, he found himself in smaller, less visible films. Yet, in the 2020s, Fraser made a remarkable comeback. His intriguing journey from a ’90s action hero to an Oscar favorite captivates audiences, highlighting that even during his challenging times, he was still involved in noteworthy projects. A prime example is the 2021 HBO Max original film, “No Sudden Move,” directed by Steven Soderbergh, where Fraser shares the screen with actors like Benicio del Toro, Don Cheadle, David Harbour, and Bill Duke.
HBO Max
Set against the backdrop of the 1950s, “No Sudden Move” follows a trio of minor criminals: Curt Goynes (Cheadle), Ronald Russo (del Toro), and Charley (Kieran Culkin). They are enlisted by Doug Jones (Fraser) to intimidate the family of a Detroit accountant (Harbour) into handing over a crucial document. However, when their plan falls apart and Goynes realizes they’ve been duped, they must team up with the accountant to unravel the true nature of their entanglement.
Despite receiving critical acclaim, “No Sudden Move” initially flew under the radar upon its release, although it did achieve respectable viewing figures. As one of the year’s most well-received thrillers, it is only now that audiences are beginning to take notice. It is certainly worth adding to your watchlist, especially amidst rumors of Brendan Fraser potentially reprising his iconic role as Rick O’Connell in a much-anticipated “Mummy” sequel.
In an interview with Screen Rant, Brendan Fraser shared insights about the film’s production, which began in late 2020 during the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “Making a movie at that time seemed nearly impossible,” Fraser remarked. “We faced delays—it was supposed to start in April 2020 but was halted. We doubted it would resume production at all.”
Fortunately, director Steven Soderbergh collaborated with the studio to restart the project. “We adhered to safety protocols, mandatory just to be on set. We were frequently tested, for good reason.” Fraser believes that beyond the logistical challenges, the global situation fostered a unique bond among the cast and enriched their portrayal of the characters.
COVID-19 added a heightened sense of drama
HBO Max
“No Sudden Move” star Brendan Fraser spoke with Screen Rant while promoting the film and talked about how the production began in late 2020, at a time when the world was still grappling with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. “To make a movie at that time seemed like an impossible prospect,” Fraser said. “We had to delay — it was meant to go in April of 2020, but it got shut down. We weren’t sure if we believed or not that it would come back.”
Thankfully, director Steven Soderbergh was able to work with the studio and get the film up and running. “We had safety protocols, and all of that as a requirement to just show up to work. We were tested [often], and for good reason.” But more than just the precautions adding tension to the production, Fraser believes that the stress from everything else going on in the world added to the sense of camaraderie between the actors and their characters.
“Something that I know Bill [Duke] and I both noticed is that, in watching the movie, the ensemble has some sort [of] binding agent or something about it.” Fraser acknowledged that the pandemic helped bring the cast together as a more tightly knit group, all watching out for each other. “That shows in the performances and the dedication that went into really wanting to get this done under very high stakes. It’s a testament that when there’s a will, there’s a way. I take a bigger lesson from this that art can prevail throughout this kind of a challenge.” In the end, it wound up as one of Fraser’s best movies.
