LONDON, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: (EDITORS NOTE: image converted to black and white) James Corden attends the "Mammals" photocall at Ham Yard Hotel on October 07, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
WEST HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 02: James Corden attends the "Mammals" red carpet premiere and screening at The West Hollywood EDITION on November 02, 2022 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Prime Video)
Movies - TV
Tom Ford Almost Directed The Whale With James Corden In The Lead
By BJ COLANGELO
Darren Aronofsky’s controversial movie “The Whale” has brought out the best in Brendan Fraser, but it has also drawn some warranted criticism. However, believe it or not, the big-screen adaptation of Samuel D. Hunter's play could have been even more controversial if it actually went through with hiring Tom Ford as its director and James Corden as the leading character Charlie.
In a Q&A session with Deadline reporter Pete Hammond, Corden said, “I was going to play that part, and Tom Ford was going to direct.” Corden has been trying to take on more dramatic roles as of late; he is also no stranger to playing marginalized characters from communities he's not a part of, so it's unsurprising that he would have considered playing Charlie.
The real jaw-dropper here is learning fashion designer turned director Tom Ford almost directed the project. He is best known for directing the film “Nocturnal Animals,” which opens with a flurry of nude, fat women on exploitive display. Ford defended the opening by calling it “avant-garde.”