See Brendan Fraser transformed in first trailer for 'The Whale'

Watch: Brenda Fraser stars in the first trailer for The Whale

The first trailer for Brendan Fraser's highly anticipated new film The Whale has been released. Industry experts are already predicting awards glory for Fraser following a rave festival debut for the drama.

From Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky, The Whale follows an English teacher named Charlie (Fraser) who is living with obesity and decides to eat himself to death.

Charlie's suffering comes after the death of his gay lover and he has subsequently struggled to connect with his teenage daughter.

The Whale also stars Stranger Things actor Sadie Sink, Watchmen star Hong Chao, Samantha Morton and Ty Simpkins.

The Whale premiered earlier this year at the Venice Film Festival and received a six minute standing ovation which reduced Fraser to tears.

Read more: Why is everyone talking about Brendan Fraser?

Following similarly glowing receptions in London and Toronto, Fraser is a hot favourite to win Best Actor at the next Academy Awards.

Fraser recently commented on the film's rave reception: “It felt so affirming. I was emotional because it was acknowledgment that what we did is making an impact. And that kind of response feels completely new in my professional life.”

It is also Fraser's first significant role in more than a decade after years spent in the Hollywood wilderness following a series of health issues, his mother's death and a sexual assault incident in which he accused the then-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association of groping him.

Best known for his performances in action-adventure films such as The Mummy, George of the Jungle and Looney Toons: Back in Action, the physical demands of the roles led to Fraser needing a number of surgeries to fix his injuries including a knee replacement.

After several years out of the spotlight, Fraser recently starred in TV miniseries Trust, Steven Soderbergh's crime epic No Sudden Move and was cast in Batgirl before the film was cancelled by Warner Bros.

Fraser is also set to star in Martin Scorsese's Killers of the Flower Moon alongside Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.

The Whale is awaiting a UK release date.

Watch below: Brendan Fraser 'open' to starring in new Mummy movie