Imagine dipping into a time capsule and emerging with a slice of cinematic history—could there be a more thrilling comeback? That is the electrifying sensation we are getting as Billy Zane is working hard to play Marlon Brando.
Billy, 58, sported no shirt in one of the photos of his upcoming biopic, Waltzing with Brando, where he can be seen assuming the role of the renowned Hollywood star. Have you seen the transformation? The resemblance is uncanny, leaving us with goosebumps and high hopes.
Fans are abuzz, likening Zane’s potential resurgence to Brendan Fraser’s heartwarming comeback with The Whale, and we can’t help but agree. The hours of meticulous research, pouring over Brando’s classic performances and mannerisms, and silent anticipation have all led up to this moment.
The Return of Billy Zane: A Marlon Brando Biopic Like No Other
In order to embody the legendary Marlon Brando for the impending movie Waltzing with Brando, Billy Zane has really done his homework. The similarity is striking, and the latter captured the spirit of the late star in a way that will no doubt astound viewers.
Brando, born in 1924, rose to prominence on the New York stage by employing the now-famous Stanislavski system, which serves as the foundation for ‘Method’ acting to give his performances an authenticity that was shocking at the time. He quickly moved into film, where he had an instant impact.
His first Oscar came in 1955, when he won Best Actor for the beloved drama On the Waterfront. He received a second Oscar for Best Actor in 1973 for playing Don Corleone in The Godfather.
Variety reported that Zane will tackle the difficult role of Brando in a forthcoming film that delves into one of the most intriguing periods in The Wild One actor’s life. Based on Bernard Judge’s autobiography Waltzing with Brando: Planning a Paradise in Tahiti, the film is being offered for sale at the Cannes Film Festival.
Last week, Zane, 58, shared pictures from the film set on his Instagram account, in which he appeared to look exactly like Brando. The former, who is also a producer of the movie, described the Brando project as “a love letter to Tahiti, and him and his passion” in an interview with Deadline.
Zane also acknowledged that, in terms of activism, Brando was ahead of his time:
Back then no one would touch causes. He championed civil rights, he marched with Dr. Martin Luther King. He walked the walk for civil rights; he did it for Indigenous rights.
The film, which centers on the Oscar-winning actor’s acquisition of the private atoll Tetiaroa in French Polynesia, and takes place in the late 1960s and early 1970s, according to Daily Mail.
Fans’ Reactions: Billy Zane’s Career Resurgence Like Brendan Fraser?
Billy Zane has truly gone above and beyond to transform himself into the iconic Marlon Brando for the upcoming film Waltzing with Brando, which surely leaves audiences in awe.
The release of this movie is highly anticipated by fans of both Brando and Zane, many of whom have expressed their excitement at seeing Zane play such a legendary figure in Hollywood history. Some have even gone so far as to say that this could be Zane’s “Brendan Fraser moment” – a reference to Brendan Fraser’s comeback in the critically acclaimed The Whale.
So much so that, according to Screen Daily, fans dubbed his reappearance after a period of relative inactivity ‘The Brennaissance’. Let’s check out a few comments left by fans:
This is not Marlon Brando.
This is Billy Zane playing Marlon Brando in an upcoming biopic.
WOW. pic.twitter.com/n7JwRtRs5D
— John Hoey (@JohnnyHoey) May 24, 2024
Billy Zane comeback ??? I never understood how that dude never became a big star he’s so damn good at what he does, I really hope this is a hit
— Leopoldo (@YukonCorns) May 24, 2024
Hopefully this will be is his Brendan Fraser moment.
— Joel Squire (@JoelTSquire) May 24, 2024
Hear hear!
Zane is a wonderful talent, it is a mystery why it never went into the stratosphere of stardom.
Still this looks like it may be the one that launches him to the stars.
— Jake Winker Frogen (@JWFrogen) May 25, 2024
Dude is a phenomenal actor and ive heard plenty of stories that hes a genuinely good guy. 100% will be checking this brando project out
— Nascar Cyclist (@benkholdup) May 25, 2024
Fraser had a successful career, starring in films like The Mummy series and George of the Jungle. However, he has retreated to the sidelines of TV and movies following a lengthy tenure as one of Hollywood’s leading men.
Following several years without a major Hollywood film, GQ released a profile of the actor in 2018 with the headline, ‘Whatever happened to Brendan Fraser?’ The actor talked about years of suffering from wounds (from doing stunts for The Mummy franchise), follow-up surgeries, a divorce, and personal loss.
Anyway, the story of Waltzing with Brando seems to be a fascinating one; it paints the side of the actor that many may not be familiar with, and Zane’s portrayal promises to shed light on this lesser-known aspect of Brando’s life.
Whether you’re a die-hard fan of Brando, a supporter of Zane, or just someone who appreciates a good transformation, Waltzing with Brando is definitely a film to keep an eye on. Don’t be surprised if Zane’s performance garners him some well-deserved recognition and propels him back into the spotlight!
