Brendan Fraser thought he knew history well. Growing up in Holland in the 1970s, he traveled to London and visited the Imperial War Museum. There, he could see military equipment. "It was eye-opening," he says. "It terrified me.".
He read books, watched films, and even heard stories from neighbors who hid paintings from the Nazis. However, he didn't know one story: how General Dwight D. Eisenhower and Captain James Stagg found themselves under pressure 72 hours before the Normandy landings. With the fate of the free world hanging in the balance, Eisenhower and Stagg face an impossible choice: launch the largest and most dangerous amphibious operation in history or risk losing the war. This story became the basis for his final film, "Under Pressure.".
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"Pressure" star Andrew Scott reads a letter from an American soldier during World War II as part of the USO's "Letters Home" archive presentation.
Fraser says: "When director Anthony Maras sent me this script, based on a play by David Haig, and it was about the weekend before the Normandy beaches, I thought, 'This might be interesting.'".
The film stars Andrew Scott as Stagg, a Scottish meteorologist tasked with forecasting the weather for D-Day in Normandy for Eisenhower, played by Fraser.
Fraser learned a lot while reading the script. "I didn't know there would be a delay," he says. "In our modern lives, we look at our phones to find out what we need. In 1944, meteorology was largely based on observing windows, the sky, or records from previous years. The science of meteorology was still in its infancy, and this script impressed upon me how much was at stake and the price that would have been paid for delaying the invasion.".
It's an old formula that keeps Stagg on edge, forcing him to make sure his conclusions are correct. If he's wrong, thousands of soldiers will die, and Eisenhower will have to decide whether to listen to Stagg or not.
Fraser says, "It's the story of Andrew Scott, a character who stands in a stream like a boulder, who knows the future and knows it's bad news, and he has to convince a group of determined people that if they ignore him, it will be dangerous for everyone. And yet he's just a humble, nerdy biologist and meteorologist, and as a junior officer, he's been promoted to a higher position.".
As for Eisenhower, Fraser admits he knew little about the general and future US president. "I read until my eyes hurt and listened to podcasts," he says of his research.
Fraser admits that while searching for his voice, he spent a long time puzzled over how Ike's voice should sound.
A recording of Eisenhower's famous "Agenda" speech helped him. "I was told to convey the same drama and emotion as you. I had to admire how Eisenhower managed not to shed tears while delivering those words… I think that's the mark of a cool-headed professional, because those words simply broke me.".
As part of his research, Fraser says he and the actors visited the Imperial War Museum in London and were able to explore the archives. "They brought us the original documents. Believe me, I had a copy of the Operation Overlord plan in my hands," he continues. "The pages were rusty. And the document was marked 'Top Secret.' I couldn't understand the complexity of the military jargon, but it was a document that was meant to be read in parts." He says reverently, "I picked it up. It gave me goosebumps.".
The film was shot at Mentmore Towers in Buckinghamshire, England, and Fraser admits to experiencing a sense of déjà vu when he walked onto the set and into the second-floor office. He says, "Oh my God, that's the same location they used in The Mummy Returns. John Hannah jumped out of there onto a safety mat.".
As previously announced, Fraser and Rachel Weisz will officially return for the fourth installment of the blockbuster Mummy franchise.
The film is scheduled to premiere on May 19, 2028. When asked what audiences can expect, Fraser replies, "We're going to get the band back together and give them what they want—a fun, exciting movie. And you'll want to see it again.".
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