Brendan Fraser with his “Journey” replacement. First mistake, Brendan: Never work with kids.
Deadline reports that Brad Peyton is the choice to direct the sequel to “Journey to the Center of the Earth.” However, Brendan Fraser, who played the lead in the first movie is likely out. He apparently doesn’t want to make the movie without the director of the first film, Eric Brevig, who is busy working on “Yogi Bear.” Yes, Jellystone Park and the travails of raising Boo Boo Bear trump making a 3D blockbuster. If Fraser doesn’t return, the movie will be centered on his character’s nephew Sean, played by Josh Hutcherson in the first film.
Is Fraser loyal to a fault? He could use a hit. While he’s not a huge star, he’s at least a known name associated with action films that makes the movie an easier sell to foreign audiences. I wonder if building the movie around Hutcherson will give the film too much of an aura of a kids movie, which would reduce the potential audience. You know, “Journey to the Center of the Earth, Junior.”
Back to Fraser. Early in his career, he alternated between small indie films and big action pictures; I think he also did some stage work in London (“Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” I believe). But in recent years he’s spent more and more time just doing big action movies and appalling kiddy movies. If he’s going to pass up the big payday that would come with “Journey,” he should at least try to land a good role in a small, artistically ambitious movie.
