Fraser's wild imagination helps him out on his 'Journey'

NEW YORK — Uh-oh. Brendan Fraser is alarmed.

He's talking about his new movie, "Journey to the Center or the Earth," and stops mid-sentence to help a reporter: "Are you being eaten by a plant here?"

The reporter is seated by a large potted plant whose leafy branches droop over her chair.

Suddenly, Fraser leaps up from a sofa and pretends to fight with the "garden-variety hotel plant," re-enacting a scene from the Jules Verne-inspired 3D thrill ride in which his character — fearful geek-turned-fearless-explorer Trevor Anderson — fends off giant Venus flytraps at the Earth's core. There is also an angry T. rex or two, bugs you don't want to know and other nasties.

Needless to say, this isn't an ordinary interview for the star of the "Mummy" movies, "Gods and Monsters," "George of the Jungle," "Encino Man" and other films. Fraser's unabashedly silly side surfaces as the 39-year-old actor nibbles on Gummi bears and talks about his affection for Jamie Oliver ("The Naked Chef"), a guy named Obama and catching piranha.

AP: If you journeyed to the center of the Earth, what five things would you take with you?

Fraser: A shovel ... 'cause you want to be able to get out. Some Gummi bears. Never underestimate a good sleeping bag. The Naked Chef. And a camera to prove that I was damn well there! A 3D camera!

AP: Gummi bears?

Fraser: Yeah, 'cause I got to give Jamie Oliver something.

AP: What's with the Naked Chef — are you a fan?

Fraser: He's a good cook, and I like him.

AP: Who would you rather be marooned with at the Earth's core? Donald Trump or Rosie O'Donnell?

Fraser: Rosie. I know Rosie. Rosie's funny. ... Wait a minute, I might want Donald Trump. Scratch Rosie. Rosie can wait. Rosie can wait up top. It's time we go with Donald. I've never met Donald, and I want to get to the bottom of the hair. I just want to know — is that a choice? Because if it is, I'd marry him for that. Because he rocks the comb-over.

AP: McCain or Obama?

Fraser: This has no political thing whatsoever, but I think I'd rather go with Obama. He seems like an interesting, sincere guy. So while we were starving and stuff, he could tell me things that I could relate to a little bit more generationally. ... He'd have some good ideas on how to get out of there.

AP: Iron Man, the Hulk or Indiana Jones?