As a seasoned film critic with a particular affinity for superhero movies, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing some truly remarkable physical transformations by actors to bring their iconic characters to life on screen. Among those who left me in awe are Henry Cavill, Will Smith, Kumail Nanjiani, Hugh Jackman, and now, David Corenswet.
Movie enthusiasts have always been captivated by the extraordinary efforts Hollywood actors make to alter their physiques for a single film role. While it’s impressive that these performers dedicate themselves so deeply to their art, striving for perfection to leave an indelible mark, there are unintended repercussions. For some actors, these transformations have resulted in mental and physical health concerns, leading certain artists to decline such demanding roles.
As a gamer, I’ve noticed that some people might criticize my focus on an actor’s physical appearance over their acting skills. They argue this obsession could lead fans to misunderstand what being an actor truly involves and what it means to be healthy. However, looking back at this list of actors who transformed their bodies for specific roles, I can’t help but find it intriguing.
Brendan Fraser – George (George of the Jungle)
In more straightforward terms, Brendan Fraser transformed from a prominent action star during the ’90s and the early 2000s, with his most notable role being that of Rick O’Connell in “The Mummy” trilogy, which put him in contention as the next Harrison Ford. Prior to this, he prepared rigorously for the comedic part of George in “George of the Jungle,” where he portrayed a man reared in the jungle and wore minimal clothing throughout the film.
Fraser faced immense pressure about his physique before filming Tarzan with a potential audience of millions. To prepare, he closely monitored his diet and worked out rigorously, but even this wasn’t sufficient as he admitted in a 2022 Men’s Health interview. As a result, Fraser resorted to skipping meals, a harmful habit that affected his mental abilities.
Zac Efron – Matt Brody (Baywatch)
Many people remember Zac Efron as the musically inclined basketball player Troy Bolton from “High School Musical,” which brought him fame in 2006. With a mix of good fortune, skill, and dedication, Efron managed to transcend the Disney Channel limits and establish a presence in mainstream Hollywood. One milestone on his journey was appearing alongside big-name stars in the 2017 adaptation of “Baywatch.” Taking on this project was no small feat for Efron, especially since he had to co-headline with the ever-imposing Dwayne Johnson.
To prepare himself thoroughly for assuming the role of a lifeguard in “Baywatch,” Matt Brooker-Efron plunged zealously into an intricate training program designed by Patrick Murphy. In his own words (as reported by E! News), Efron described his regimen as follows: “Instead of the usual bodybuilding routines I was used to, Patrick challenged me to my utmost capabilities with a highly versatile training method: a blend of strength, power, agility, quickness, and endurance exercises. It was an enjoyable experience… you just can’t predict what he might have in store for you the following day.”
Taylor Lautner – Jacob Black (The Twilight Saga: New Moon)
As a huge fan of “Twilight,” I can tell you that when I heard Taylor Lautner was chosen to portray Jacob Black in “The Twilight Saga: New Moon” back in 2009, it was like a dream come true. But little did I know that this role would become so much more than just acting. I was essentially given the mission to transform my body into a muscular powerhouse – and fast!
Due to a significant transformation in his character’s role, Lautner shared with People that he had to dedicate himself to working out at the gym almost every day for six days a week, increasing his weight from 140 to 175 pounds. However, maintaining this intense fitness routine during filming wasn’t sustainable for him in the long run. After living more normally, minor changes in his physique led to years of unnecessary public criticism, causing Lautner to struggle with body image issues. Having learned from this experience, he now advises others to prioritize mental well-being over physical fitness.
Jake Gyllenhaal – Billy Hope (Southpaw)
Fans of mixed martial arts could have been wowed by Jake Gyllenhaal’s impressive physique in the 2024 “Road House” remake, portraying a former MMA fighter. However, his readiness for combat went beyond what spectators may assume. Gyllenhaal was recruited to take over from Marshall “Eminem” Mathers in the 2015 sports drama “Southpaw.” Written and directed by Antoine Fuqua and Kurt Sutter respectively, this film tells the story of a boxer whose life falls apart after his wife’s murder (Rachel McAdams).
As a gamer, I can’t help but appreciate the dedication Gyllenhaal put into portraying a top-form boxer in that movie. While Eminem might have brought a unique emotional depth to the character, Gyllenhaal went the extra mile when it came to physically nailing the role. He shed an impressive 30 pounds for his part as an antisocial ambulance chaser in “Nightcrawler.” But that wasn’t enough; he needed to look like a true boxing champion.
Chris Pratt – Peter Quill/Star-Lord (Guardians of the Galaxy)
Chris Pratt’s transformation into “Guardians of the Galaxy” character Peter Quill is a prime example of actors dramatically changing their bodies for film projects. Known previously for his comedic role as Andy Dwyer in “Parks and Recreation,” where he portrayed a lovable but lazy slacker, Pratt surprised many when he was chosen to play the space rogue Quill in James Gunn’s Marvel Cinematic Universe introduction. Initially, people found it hard to picture Pratt in this role. However, he silenced his critics with an Instagram post showing off his impressive new physique, which he achieved by abstaining from beer for six consecutive months.
I’ve seen countless stories of celebrity transformations, but Pratt’s journey truly stood out to me. Cutting out beer was definitely a significant step, but his dedication and commitment took it to the next level.
Rob McElhenney – Mac McDonald (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia)
Rob McElhenney is committed to bringing authenticity to his role as Ronald “Mac” McDonald in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” To enhance the comedic potential of his character, he decided to add some extra pounds. Over the course of seven months, McElhenney successfully gained over 60 pounds. Once audiences had grown accustomed to this new version of Mac, the actor saw an opportunity for even more laughs – a drastic body transformation where Mac appeared incredibly fit and muscular. Consequently, McElhenney embarked on an intense fitness journey to surprise everyone with his shocking new look.
McElhenney’s new physique drew much attention, but the actor humorously reminded followers that wealth, accessibility, and ample time were key factors in his transformation. In an Instagram post filled with sarcasm, he joked: “Here’s a simple plan: Work out six days a week, abstain from alcohol, avoid eating after 7pm, eliminate carbs and sugar entirely, hire Magic Mike’s personal trainer, sleep nine hours nightly, jog three miles daily, and let a studio cover the costs for half a year.”
Ryan Reynolds – Wade Wilson/Deadpool (Deadpool)
I’ve always been a fan of superhero movies, so when I had the opportunity to take on the role of Deadpool in 2016, I jumped at the chance. With my previous experience as Hannibal King in “Blade: Trinity,” Hal Jordan in “Green Lantern,” and even Wade Wilson in “X-Men Origins: Wolverine,” I knew the physical demands of these types of roles. However, Deadpool was more than just another project for me – it was a passion project that I had been working towards for nearly a decade.
Reynolds continues to collaborate with Saladino, but they adapted their methods slightly for the 2024 production of “Deadpool & Wolverine” due to Reynolds no longer being as young as before. In an interview with Yahoo! about their work on the third Deadpool film, Saladino shared: “With each movie, we introduced new elements, and our perspectives shifted a bit. What made this project particularly intriguing was that ‘resiliency’ seemed to resonate more with him. At 47 years old, Reynolds is certainly thinking differently than he did when I first met him at around 32 or 33.”
Ben Affleck – Bruce Wayne/Batman (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice)
Ben Affleck had previous experience with superhero roles before being chosen as Bruce Wayne/Batman in Zack Snyder’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.” He was also known for portraying George Reeves, the actor who played Superman, in “Hollywoodland,” and for his portrayal of Matt Murdock, the superhero-lawyer, in the 2003 Fox film “Daredevil.” Eager to break away from this pattern or confront Henry Cavill’s massive Clark Kent, Affleck decided to undergo a complete makeover for the part.
I’ve always admired Ben Affleck’s physical transformation in his roles, and I was curious to know how he managed to get into such an impressive shape for “Batman v Superman.” Turns out, he teamed up once again with trainer Walter Norton Jr., who helped him bulk up for the 2010 crime drama “The Town.” During that project, Norton got Affleck to pack on an impressive 198 pounds. For this latest movie, they decided to focus more on bodybuilding and adding mass instead of just increasing size. As Norton shared with Men’s Journal, “We wanted him to be strong but also bigger. The volume was higher this time. We mainly relied on classic exercises like 80-pound dumbbell curls, heavy-loaded carries, and farmer’s walks with 60-pound weights.” So, Ben Affleck sought the expertise of his trusted trainer to help him achieve an even more impressive physique for “Batman v Superman.”
Josh Brolin – Cable (Deadpool 2)
Josh Brolin is best recognized by superhero fans as the villain Thanos from the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s “Avengers: Infinity War.” However, before causing havoc in that blockbuster, Brolin portrayed another comic book antagonist in a major film. In 2018, he appeared as the time-traveling mutant Cable in “Deadpool 2.” The distinction between these two parts lies in the fact that Thanos’ intimidating presence was achieved through CGI, while Cable required Brolin to embody a genuine, Terminator-like force.
At the age of 50 with only three months left before my deadline, I found myself up against a formidable challenge. But I wasn’t one to back down from a fight. I spent three hours every day at the gym, working alongside trainer Justin Lavato on refining my arms and shoulders. It was no walk in the park, but I was thrilled with the progress I made. “I’m really pleased with the results,” I shared with Entertainment Weekly, acknowledging the effort it took to get here. My midlife crisis idea? Buying a Ferrari? Forget that! I decided to focus on my fitness instead. It might have been a silly choice, but it was mine to make.
Henry Cavill – Clark Kent/Superman (Man of Steel)
Before putting on the iconic outfit of Superman, Henry Cavill had already dedicated considerable effort to building an impressive physique. In the 2011 film “Immortals,” where Cavill portrayed the Greek warrior Theseus, he underwent extensive training to prepare for the role. However, Cavill aimed to outdo his previous dedication when chosen as Superman in Zack Snyder’s “Man of Steel.”
With the guidance of celebrated coach Mark Twight, Cavill transformed his body to portray Superman. His routine incorporated heavy weightlifting and bodyweight exercises along with martial arts techniques. He consumed between 3,500 and 5,000 calories every day and slept for approximately 10 hours each night to allow his muscles ample recovery time. This regimen enabled him to build a considerable amount of muscle mass and strength essential for handling the extensive wire and stunt work on set.
Will Smith – Muhammad Ali (Ali)
Following the failure of “Wild Wild West,” Will Smith, a prominent figure in Hollywood, sought redemption with the role of Muhammad Ali in Michael Mann’s biopic. With a $20 million salary secured, Smith remained committed despite production setbacks. However, the true test arrived when it was time for him to physically prepare for the challenging role.
There have been reports that Smith and the production team aimed for him to not only learn boxing skills but also gain around 35 pounds of muscle to resemble Ali’s fighting weight of 210. Initially, they planned to hire a whole team of nutritionists and trainers for this task. However, they found they only required one expert – renowned boxing coach Darrell Foster. Foster put Smith through an intense training regimen, starting with a daily run of 3-5 miles followed by hours of boxing practice and weightlifting in the afternoon.
Kumail Nanjiani – Kingo (Eternals)
As a huge fan of Chris Pratt’s transformation from a comedian to an action hero in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I couldn’t help but be thrilled when I heard that Kumail Nanjiani was following in his footsteps for the 2021 Marvel film “Eternals.” In this comic book fantasy epic, I get to see Nanjiani step out of his comfort zone and embody a character unlike any I’ve seen him play before.
Nanjiani prepared rigorously for “Eternals” production by collaborating with trainer and gym owner Grant Roberts during the filming of “Silicon Valley. He was eager to update his fans about his progress yet cautious not to give a false impression. In a popular Instagram post, Nanjiani emphasized that he achieved such an impressive physique due to his fortunate circumstances. “I couldn’t have accomplished this without a full year of working with top-notch trainers and nutritionists, all funded by a major film studio,” he expressed.
Hugh Jackman – Logan/Wolverine (Deadpool & Wolverine)
After playing the fierce and powerful Wolverine in various X-Men films for decades, I, as Hugh Jackman, have become accustomed to the rigorous physical requirements of being a superhero. Every time I stepped onto set, I had to embody the image of a top-tier predator. I believed my time as Wolverine had come to an end after Logan in 2017, but then my good friend Ryan Reynolds managed to persuade me to join him for his third outing as Deadpool. And just like that, Deadpool & Wolverine in 2024 came to life.
After taking a break from playing Wolverine for some time, Hugh Jackman needed to get in shape once more for the third “Deadpool” movie. He began an Instagram series titled “#BecomingWolverineAgain” to chronicle his rigorous training regimen, leading up to his anticipated debut in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Fans have been impressed by Jackman’s physique in the trailers for “Deadpool & Wolverine,” suggesting he’s ready for another action-packed performance.
David Corenswet – Clark Kent/Superman (Superman)
When James Gunn revealed his plan to cast a new, younger actor as Superman in his revamped DC universe instead of Henry Cavill, there was great anticipation among onlookers about who would take on the legendary red cape next. David Corenswet, who previously gained recognition for his role in “Pearl,” emerged as a top contender amongst fans and ultimately secured the part. Along with this opportunity came the challenge of preparing himself both physically and mentally to portray one of the strongest characters in comic book folklore.
Based on the photos I’ve seen so far, I’m confident that Corenswet has taken up the Superman mantle with determination. Although details about his transformation process are still scarce, we do know that he’s been working closely with trainer Paolo Mascitti. According to Mascitti, Corenswet managed to gain an impressive 40 pounds for the role. He was already 6’4″, but they wanted him to look more imposing. So, Corenswet likely went from around 200lbs to 240lbs, though some of that weight will be lost as he continues to sculpt his body for the film.
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2024-07-16 14:31