The behind-the-scenes production of Fat Professor 2

In 1996, "The Fat Professor" was a huge success with a box office of US$270 million. After a lapse of four years, Eddie Murphy once again played the 400-pound biology professor Sherman. ·Crump, trying to bring the Crump family back to life on the big screen with his unparalleled comedy talent. However, what is less known is that no one expected the first "The Fat Professor" to be such a success, and in fact, the movie almost ran aground. Producer Brian Glazer recalled: "The role of the Crump family was very expensive to implement, and the entire makeup process required a lot of time, manpower and material resources, so if you wanted to convince the producers, you had to use auditions. Let them realize how interesting and believable it is. It only took two dinner scenes to impress the producers. The movie is completely subjective, and you can't tell what will succeed in the first film. Stars have been cast, so the sequel must flesh out the images of these family members and create subplots for each member.”

Before this film, producers Glazer and Eddie. "We have a similar sense of humor, so there's a trust in each other that makes us willing to take risks," Glazer said. /p>

When talking about the director, Murphy said: "Peter Siegel has the energy, talent and enthusiasm needed for the film. I hope to work with a smart, young, interesting and energetic director, just like he directed the first film. Like Tom Shadyac." Helming the film requires a collaborative attitude, and Murphy's expressive humor relies on flexible circumstances that allow for improvisation and unexpected transformations. Glazer said: "Peter can make things funny, and not every comedy director can do that. They may do their job well, but they can't re-create the comedy so that all aspects can be fully extended," Glazer said. Peter's collaborative attitude is important to Murphy."

With the box office success of "Insult" and "Old Man", Peter Siegel is ready to take on the challenge. He was very excited to be the director of the film. He said: "The opportunity to work with Eddie Murphy is irresistible. There are very few truly outstanding comedians, and he is one of them. I love the first one." For the Crump family in the movie, I forgot that Eddie Murphy was behind the different makeup, because they really looked very real. The most impressive scene was the family dinner scene. It was fun to put these characters into the real world. We strive to bring them to life, and I think the audience will be delighted when they see this family again."

The actor who plays Sherman's love interest Dennis Gaines in the film. With the important task of starring opposite Eddie Murphy, the producers took a fancy to Janet Jackson, a music superstar with a multi-platinum record sales record. She starred in the film "Justin's Poetry" 7 years ago. has won critical acclaim. When she received the invitation for this film, Jackson was recording her new album. In order to make time for the filming, she decided to postpone the recording of the album. Jackson said: "I think I should do my best and devote all my energy to this movie. It is rare for any actress to work with Eddie, Brian and Peter. They can choose I feel very lucky."

In fact, it was Eddie Murphy who first thought of Janet Jackson. He said: "I have known her for many years, and she is an excellent actress. , I clearly remember she was a little girl when she starred in the TV series "Good Times", and now she has become a superstar. "Director Siegel said: "Janet's smile is enough to light up the entire screen, and everyone will be captured by her smile. When she looks at Sherman, you can see the love in her eyes. The romance she creates is believable and soft, and Janet does a great job."

However, although Jackson. She is well prepared, but she will also encounter some unexpected small problems. For example, it is difficult to remain indifferent to Murphy's antics. She has to bite her lip to keep a straight face. Eddie Murphy will play 6 roles in the film. He said: "It is not difficult for me to play different roles, because that is what I like to do the most. The challenge for me in this movie is to make these Characters stand up from the table, develop different poses, control their height, and work with each other."

For the behind-the-scenes cast, the producers have reunited some of the original cast, including production designers. Artist William Elliott, special effects makeup wizard, five-time Academy Award winner Rick Baker and special effects supervisor Jon Farhat. In addition, Oscar-winning cinematographer Dean Semler, editor William Kerr and costume designer Sharen Davis also joined the film.

Murphy's makeup process takes 3 to 5 hours each time. Although the Crump family continues to follow the appearance in the first film, special effects makeup artist Rick Baker made a series of subtle adjustments . “Eddie is very patient,” Baker admires. Prior to this film, the two had collaborated on "Coming to America," "The Fat Professor" and "Life."

Murphy gave Baker enough creative space, "He would say, you will complete the face, and I will complete the voice. He did not interfere too much in the design and concept work, and left it all to me. After the makeup, styling and costume design were completed, Eddie would sit in front of the makeup mirror and get a feel for the new character, learning how to make exaggerated facial expressions come through the rubber, and Eddie's performance allowed for various special looks to be perfected," Baker said.

Because the makeup process is very time-consuming, only one character can be shot in a day, and a scene with 5 characters appearing at the same time takes 5 days to complete. The Crump Family is Murphy's one-man show. To help him complete his performance, special effects supervisor Jon Facht made tennis balls a cooperating object. Murphy's movements, sights and reactions must follow the movement of the tennis balls. Murphy said: "I've worked with tennis before because I had to perform with people who didn't exist. That's my strength, remembering what the people did on the first day and then doing the opposite the next day. , it became second nature to me.” Then there was the challenge of photography, because although this scene was shot over several days, the lighting had to be completely consistent.