TV - Movies
The Real Reason
They Replaced
Brendan Fraser In
George Of The
Jungle 2
By KIM BELL
Brendan Fraser burst onto the scene in the ‘90s with hit movies like “Encino Man,” “Bedazzled,” “The Mummy,” and “Blast From the Past.” He also starred in the hit Disney movie “George of the Jungle,” but when the time came to produce a sequel, the actor was conspicuously absent.
The studio was clearly aware that Fraser's absence would prove problematic, so the sequel’s first joke immediately addresses Fraser’s absence, as his replacement, Christopher Showerman, says to the camera, "Studio too cheap to pay Brendan Fraser." In truth, Fraser wasn't "replaced" because he asked for too much money, but simply because he declined to return.
Nearly two decades ago, Showerman shared his straightforward "George of the Jungle 2" Cinderella story with Moviehole, saying, "Once it was apparent that Brendan wasn't going to star in it," they auditioned other actors, and he got the part. He added, "It was almost a full year after he turned down the job that I signed up as the new George."