‘Big Bug Man’: Marlon Brando’s Final Role in a Forgotten Superhero Film

Known for his renowned appearances in ‘Superman’ and ‘The Godfather’, Marlon Brando made his final appearance in the odd and little-known animated superhero movie ‘Big Bug Man’. Even though Brando left a lasting legacy in Hollywood, his final movie offers a fascinating look into his life in his last days. Despite not receiving much praise, ‘Big Bug Man’ offers a rare glimpse into Brando's character and demonstrates his unwavering dedication to his work despite his deteriorating health.

At a period when superhero movies were changing and studios were experimenting with the genre, the animated feature ‘Big Bug Man’ was created. The narrative of this movie, which made fun of superhero clichés, followed Howard Kind (Brendan Fraser) as he develops abilities from bug pheromones and becomes ‘Big Bug Man’.

Mrs. Sour, played by Brando, was a small but noteworthy character who was a peculiar, pill-popping antagonist. In spite of his frailty, Brando jumped at the chance. He claimed that being in drag was the most enjoyable experience he has had since playing Mark Antony in ‘Julius Caesar’, and he even taped his lines from home.

Image Courtesy: IMDb

Even though Brando's performance was cut short because of his failing health, his approach to the part reflected his larger acting philosophy, which is to make even the most bizarre characters memorable. Brando's commitment to the project had a lasting impression on those who collaborated with him, even though a large portion of his recorded dialogue was judged useless.

Due to financial difficulties, ‘Big Bug Man’ was never released, so most people never saw Brando's last performance. However, his work on the movie, which is passionate and playful, captures the spirit of his career. Even in his latter days, his versatility and dedication to the trade are demonstrated by his final role.

–Farheen Ali