10 Actors Whose Incredible Transformations For Roles Went Above And Beyond
It is believed that to become a movie star, all the things you need are just to memorize the lines, and need a bit of luck. However, many might not know that it’s a job requiring incredible skill and dedication. It often goes far slipping into character to deliver a few lines.
Many actors took their body transformations to the extreme, undertaking vast physical and mental efforts to nail their characters most authentically and accurately possible. While some unhesitatingly sacrifice their figure for extreme weight gain, some go to dieting for months for weight loss.
Hard work pays off. Many of these actors won and were nominated for prestigious awards for their performances. Scroll down to see and learn about 10 actors’ intense physical transformations for the sake of their craft.
#1. Dwayne Johnson in Black Adam
Source: Warner Bros.
The former wrestler always tried his best to fulfill his roles. He shared the time he played Black Adam with everyone. He had to remove all the muscles. A team of chefs and a conditioning coach were available to calculate the precise macronutrient count needed for his physique.
Dwayne Johnson admitted that portraying Black Adam was “one of the most grueling, intense, demanding commitments of my entire career.”
#2. Mariah Carey in Precious
Source: East News
The famous dive Mariah Carey always appeared fabulous and gorgeous. But, everyone was shocked by her image in the movie Precious. She portrayed Mrs. Wess, an empathetic woman helping a troubled teenager in the ‘80s. For her portrayal, she had to wear eyebags, a mustache, gray makeup, and even bound her breasts.
#3. Brie Larson in Room
Source: East News
For the role of a woman treated as a prisoner inside a shed, Brie Larson isolated herself for a month. She even learned more about the trauma resulting from captivity.
She immersed herself in the character by writing 3 diaries as her at ages 10, 14, and 17. The actress said, “It was a stream of consciousness a lot of the time. I’d get really into it and get stuck in a 10-year-old mind for hours at a time. For her all effort, she won an Oscar.
#4. Matt Damon in The Informant!
Source: The Informant! / Warner Bros.
For the role of biochemist Mark Whitacre, Matt Damon gained almost 30 lbs. He shared, “It was very, very easy to gain weight. It was very, very fun,”. The actor admitted that he did more than 30 lbs because that would start to hurt.
#5. Mark Wahlberg in Father Stu
Source: markwahlberg / Instagram
Mark Wahlberg maintains his morning habit of completing a workout by 4:00 every day, so that’s why he gets a perfect body. But, everyone was shocked by his transformation in Father Stu where he played a dad bob. The actor shared, “ I put on 30 pounds and went from being a guy who was in fighting shape, to a guy who was wheelchair-bound, suffering from a rare muscular degenerative disease.”
Consuming 11,000 calories is actually bad for health but he did. He ate even when he was full, and his daily menu included dozens of eggs and bacon, baked potatoes, steak, 2 bowls of white rice, and a glass of olive oil. Wahlberg admitted that this unhealthy eating habit eventually took a toll on him.
#6. Tom Hardy in Bronson
Source: East News
In preparation for the role as the most violent prisoner in the movie Bronson, Tom Hardy got back 27 lbs, which he lost in a previous role. He confessed, “I had to quickly put a lot of weight on my forearms, chest, and neck,” He started doing bodyweight exercises, resistance training, and chugging some ice cream and sodas for good measure.
#7. Lupita Nyong’o in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
Source: lupitanyongo / Instagram
Some scenes for the Oscar winner's portrayal of Nakia in the Marvel picture were shot in an Atlantis-like setting. Lupita Nyong'o also shared some behind-the-scenes videos with her followers to show off her intense preparation for the role. She had to perform a series of underwater exercises, such as crawling and swimming underwater, as part of her training. She also had to lug around dumbbells, as if that weren't difficult enough.
#8. Viola Davis in The Woman King
Source: TriStar Pictures / East News
To transform into the formidable General Nanisca in the movie The Woman King, the actress had to adhere to a strict diet and undergo special physical training.
She had to consume modest amounts every three hours to store energy because she was at high risk for diabetes. Additionally, she trained for at least five hours every day for 3 months. Running, martial arts, and weightlifting were all part of her regimen.
#9. Michelle Williams in My Week with Marilyn
Source: East News
Embodying Marilyn Monroe was a huge challenge. Michelle Williams devoured autobiographies, and letters, and listened to interviews. She tried to mimic Monroe’s trademark wiggle by tying a belt around her knees while practicing the strut.
#10. Chris Hemsworth in Limitless
Source: natgeotv / Instagram
Chris Hemsworth starred in a documentary about challenging the human mind and body to explore life and longevity. The actor confessed that getting fit and having abs were not enough for this role.
He spent 4 days testing his limits: plunged into icy cold waters, dangled over a canyon, and "aged" himself. He put on a suit that restricted his hearing, vision, and movement. For him. it was a good way to feel what would happen if he reached his eighties.
Whose physical transformations shocked you the most? Is there any actor that you want to add to this list? Let us know in the comments.