These actresses went above and beyond to get into shape for their roles, demonstrating their commitment and dedication to bringing authenticity to their characters. From intense workout routines to learning new skills like surfing or stunt choreography, they proved that physical preparation is an essential part of acting in action-packed films. Their hard work not only resulted in impressive on-screen performances but also inspired and empowered audiences, particularly women, to pursue their passions and challenge themselves physically.
The art of acting may appear simpler than many believe, but this is far from the truth, particularly when a character demands rigorous physical preparation that challenges an actor’s body to its maximum and beyond. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not only males who undergo extensive muscle-building to embody robust characters; numerous actresses have put in immense effort to meet the physical requirements of their roles.
In today’s entertainment industry, acting as a superhero is a prevalent role that often draws criticism for actresses. However, we aim to explore beyond the realm of Marvel, DC, and their equivalents. These women bravely tackled various roles, such as breathing life into video game characters, stepping into the boxing ring, embarking on a path of vengeful retaliation, or engaging in galactic battles. Their fearless dedication is evident in each frame of the films and television shows they graced with their presence.
Alicia Vikander — Tomb Raider
In her film debut as Lara Croft, Angelina Jolie breathed life into the iconic character in 2001’s “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider.” Following this, she portrayed the adventurer once more in “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life” (2003). After a long hiatus, Alicia Vikander took over the role in the 2018 movie simply named “Tomb Raider,” with several other notable actors having come close to landing the part.
She hadn’t held the leading role in a significant action or adventure film prior to this, but Vikander had certainly taken on physically demanding roles beforehand. To prepare for embodying one of video gaming’s most challenging and athletic characters, whose body undergoes continuous strain, Vikander gained 12 pounds of muscle mass, engaged in mixed martial arts instruction, and consumed up to five meals daily. However, she possessed a head start when it came to extreme physical conditioning, as Vikander had previously been a professionally trained ballet dancer.
Brie Larson — Captain Marvel
Among the numerous powerful female superheroes waiting for their standalone films, the Marvel Cinematic Universe introduced its first with 2019’s “Captain Marvel.” Boasting impressive cosmic abilities and a formidable force, this character has proven to be one of the mightiest in the MCU. However, her strength is not limited to her powers; she can also hold her own in a fight. Brie Larson’s dedication brought authenticity to Carol Danvers as a tough and determined fighter.
Larson confessed to Business Insider that she experienced imposter syndrome when initially selected for the role, expressing her astonishment, “I can’t believe Marvel picked me; I can barely manage a hill without being winded!” However, she tackled this anxiety head-on and surpassed her own expectations. Now, she boasts impressive strength achievements: deadlifting 200 pounds, hip thrusting 400 pounds, and single-handedly pushing a Jeep. Since then, Larson has consistently met her fitness goals, such as effortlessly performing one-armed pull-ups and push-ups using each arm.
Daisy Ridley — Star Wars
As a dedicated Star Wars fan, I must acknowledge the intricate connection we fans have with the original trilogy. To put it mildly, our relationship with anything Star Wars beyond this beloved trio of films is nuanced, to say the least. And to add some precision, I’m referring to the Star Wars universe as it existed before the recent sequels.
When Ridley started her acting journey, she was scarcely established in the industry, yet she managed to secure a role as Rey in “Star Wars: The Force Awakens.” Rey is an orphan hailing from the arid planet Jakku, whose lineage is a subject of controversy and links her to the infamous Emperor Palpatine. By the third installment of the Star Wars sequel trilogy, “The Rise of Skywalker,” Rey had evolved into the first major female protagonist in a live-action Star Wars film. Prior to her debut as Rey, Ridley was already gearing up for the lead role in a huge franchise production. Her readiness for “The Force Awakens” entailed three months of intensive five-hour daily workouts and combat training, making it no surprise that Rey eventually claimed her place among the Skywalkers.
Uma Thurman — Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2
Quentin Tarantino’s passion for 1970s cinema eventually led him to the era of martial arts movies. When he arrived at this genre with “Kill Bill,” he immersed himself fully in the revenge tale, which required splitting it into two parts – with “Kill Bill Vol. 2” being the sole direct sequel Tarantino has ever produced in his filmmaking journey. Despite the impressive contributions of the entire cast and numerous stunt performers, Uma Thurman’s remarkable portrayal of Beatrix “The Bride” Kiddo was the true standout factor that illuminated these films.
In preparation for portraying The Bride in “Kill Bill,” Thurman benefited from intensive training under the guidance of renowned filmmaker and martial arts expert Yuen Woo-ping. Known for his collaborations with Jackie Chan decades ago and his significant contributions to reviving martial arts films in the late 1990s through projects like “The Matrix” and “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” Woo-ping devoted three months to Thurman’s transformation. She underwent an extensive regimen of 40 hours of weekly training, equipping her with the skills necessary to singlehandedly confront and overcome an army of 88 henchmen. As Thurman shared with IGN in 2003, “It was a powerful experience to emerge from The House of Blue Leaves with my joints relatively unharmed.”
Alison Brie — GLOW
Actresses aren’t just limited to Hollywood films to undergo body transformations and portray tough characters. Alison Brie, previously recognized for her roles as the anxious “Annie” on “Community” and the trophy wife “Trudy” on “Mad Men,” demonstrated her versatility when she was chosen to star in Netflix’s “GLOW.” This series is based on a true story about the Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling, which debuted in 1986. Brie’s character, Ruth “Zoya the Destroyer” Wild, was influenced by real-life GLOW wrestler Lorilyn “Ninotchka” Palmer.
Brie openly shared with ET Online that she hadn’t viewed herself as athletic prior to joining the production of “GLOW.” However, she revealed that no stunt doubles were employed for the series, meaning the actors performed all the depicted actions. To prepare for each season, the cast underwent a rigorous month-long wrestling training regimen. Brie’s personal trainer, Jason Walsh, expressed to Self that “despite being small in stature, she wasn’t an athlete with a background in this type of training.” Consequently, they honed her skills as if she were an athlete.
As a dedicated gamer, I can tell you that the hours I invested in training truly paid off. With persistence and determination, I managed to perform push-ups while carrying a 50-pound weight on my back. This wasn’t an easy feat, but it was necessary for my wrestling career. Additionally, I gained the strength to lift and support the full weight of other people, holding them effortlessly over my head during matches. These skills were essential to excel in the wrestling world, and I couldn’t have achieved them without my dedicated training regimen.
Margot Robbie — Birds of Prey
While it’s uncommon for the spin-off film to surpass the original, “Birds of Prey (and the Fantabulous Emancipation of One Harley Quinn)” is an exception to this rule. This standalone film showcases Margot Robbie’s exceptional portrayal of Harley Quinn, a character that shined among the disappointing elements of “Suicide Squad” (2016). Robbie’s captivating interpretation of DC’s beloved antiheroine has earned critical acclaim and solidified its place as one of the best-reviewed movies in the DC Extended Universe. Harley Quinn, who is neither a man of steel nor a caped crusader, nor a princess of Themyscira, is a testament to the depth and versatility of the DC Comics universe.
Robbie brilliantly brought Harley’s quirky personality to life on screen while also showcasing her physically robust side. In preparation for “Suicide Squad,” she collaborated with ballet dancer and celebrity trainer Andie Hecker, ensuring both her fighting abilities and body were camera-ready. For “Birds of Prey,” however, Robbie had to intensify her workout regime, diet, and overall dedication due to the increased screen time. Additionally, she mastered roller-skating for her leading role – a skill that required significant practice.
Rebecca Ferguson — Mission: Impossible
In movies such as “The Greatest Showman” and Denis Villeneuve’s two versions of “Dune,” Rebecca Ferguson has left a lasting impression with her captivating performances. However, it is essential not to overlook her breakout role in the fifth installment of the “Mission: Impossible” series, titled “Rogue Nation.” In this film, Ferguson brilliantly portrayed M16 agent Ilsa Faust. This character, much like other roles in the series, effortlessly transitions between being a hero and a villain from one scene to another. Despite joining an already impressive cast, Ferguson managed to hold her own through her compelling character development, as well as her impressive fighting skills and daring stunts.
In an interview with Vogue regarding her debut in the “Mission: Impossible” series, Ferguson shared her experience of intensive training. Upon arrival, she was taken directly from the airport to the gym for rigorous workouts. For approximately a month and a half, she dedicated six hours, five or six days a week to this grueling regimen. The actress further disclosed that she performed most of her own stunts in the production and had to execute some perilous ones repeatedly to capture shots from various angles. Despite the challenges, Ferguson went on to appear in two more “Mission: Impossible” installments following “Rogue Nation,” suggesting a positive experience overall.
Gwendoline Christie — Game of Thrones
In the past, TV productions lacked comparison to Hollywood when it came to action sequences, fights, and stunts. However, this gap has significantly narrowed down in recent times, largely due to HBO’s “Game of Thrones.” Adapted from George R. R. Martin’s beloved book series, “Game of Thrones” boasted the financial resources and grandeur akin to major cinema productions. For the actors involved, it was just as challenging and taxing an experience.
Brienne of Tarth was portrayed as a highly imposing character in the source material, making it essential for the on-screen adaptation not to deviate from this description. As soon as “Game of Thrones” was confirmed for production, fans on various websites suggested potential actors for each role. Among them, Gwendoline Christie emerged as an ideal candidate for Brienne. This suggestion ultimately reached Christie’s agent, who brought the opportunity to her attention. Intrigued, she began preparing for the audition well before it had been officially announced.
As a fan, I can rephrase that by saying: Christie possesses the towering height at 6-foot-3-inches, but she put in great effort to develop an intimidating physique to truly embody Brienne. Her dedication undeniably brought the character to life in an unforgettable way.
Hilary Swank — Million Dollar Baby
As a dedicated gamer and movie enthusiast, I can tell you that Hilary Swank’s journey to portray Maggie Fitzgerald in “Million Dollar Baby” was no walk in the park. Although she had already showcased her martial arts skills as “The Next Karate Kid,” she knew she had to put in some serious effort to convincingly play the tragic boxer a decade later. Clint Eastwood’s sports drama masterpiece demanded nothing less than sheer dedication and determination from Swank.
As a devoted fan, I can’t help but be in awe of Swank’s commitment to transforming into Maggie. Her workout regimen alone was a testament to her determination. For six days a week, for an astonishing three months, she dedicated over four hours each day to boxing training and weightlifting. Although the role required only a 10-pound muscle gain, Swank surpassed that mark with ease. Her strict diet plan played a significant role as well in her impressive achievement. The actual boxing practice was no less demanding. My astonishment knows no bounds when I learn from Grant Roberts, her dedicated trainer, that he couldn’t believe she was still on her feet with all the rigorous boxing training.
Zazie Beetz — Deadpool 2
Despite the predominantly humorous tone of the “Deadpool” films, they still pack a punch when it comes to action sequences. It’s a common misconception that the actors are solely focusing on their comedic skills for their roles. Quite the contrary, especially for those who didn’t don full costumes or entirely computer-generated appearances, like Colossus.
I was thrilled when I got the opportunity to join the cast of “Deadpool 2” as Domino, but it came with a price. Before cameras even started rolling, I endured an intensive two-month training regimen. And once filming began, I had to find time for a rigorous four-hour workout each day. This was quite a shift for me, as I’d previously admitted to not having any exercise routine at all. As I shared with The Hollywood Reporter, “It was a massive transformation – both emotionally and physically. Something I hadn’t experienced before.” Despite not making an appearance in “Deadpool and Wolverine,” there’s always the possibility of reprising my role as Domino should Marvel Studios decide to produce an X-Force film in the future.
Kate Bosworth — Blue Crush
As a fan, I’d put it this way: In the world of Hollywood films, preparing for a role doesn’t always mean intensive physical training for action-packed fight scenes. For Kate Bosworth and her iconic portrayal of a surfer girl in “Blue Crush” (2002), it was primarily about achieving the coveted beach body to convincingly wear a bikini throughout the movie. This isn’t an uncommon requirement for actresses. However, what sets Bosworth and this film apart is the impact her role had on people’s perceptions of women in surfing. With her authentic portrayal, she paved the way for women to be seen as strong and capable surfers, challenging stereotypes and inspiring a new generation.
Bosworth put in an incredible amount of effort into making that film a success. It’s been reported that she dedicated around seven hours each day to rigorous training, which she described as her most challenging experience yet. The impact of “Blue Crush” and Bosworth’s performance in it went beyond just the movie itself. It is believed that her portrayal of a determined female surfer served as a catalyst for a new wave of girls and women to pick up surfing as a sport, rather than simply lounging on the beach and observing others ride the waves.
Gal Gadot — Wonder Woman
Two years prior to the release of “Captain Marvel” in theaters, DC Extended Universe (DCEU) introduced a female superhero as the leading character in their 2017 film, “Wonder Woman.” With an impressive Rotten Tomatoes score of 93%, this DCEU production suggested that they had the capability to compete with the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Regrettably, this didn’t turn out to be the case – but neither the movie nor its star, Gal Gadot, can be held accountable for this outcome. In the title role, Gadot delivered a performance that was nearly flawless and intimidatingly fitting.
Gadot dedically committed herself to a rigorous six-month preparation for embodying Diana Prince/Wonder Woman, encompassing not just physical training like exercise and strength conditioning but also mastering stunt sequences. It’s important to note that prior to her acting career, Gadot served as a combat fitness instructor in the Israeli Defense Forces for two years. Consequently, she didn’t embark on her Wonder Woman role with a blank slate regarding her strength and agility, but she still put in tremendous effort to convincingly bring Diana to life in various films. This dedication was evident onscreen as Gadot had minimal costume coverage compared to most male superheroes.
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2024-07-14 16:30