Why Benedict Cumberbatch Is Calling Out Hollywood for Being a “Grossly Wasteful Industry”

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Benedict Cumberbatch is criticizing the film industry, particularly its excessive waste of food.

The actor recently appeared on the “Ruthie’s Table 4” podcast and shared insights about encountering excessive practices, like adhering to a stringent diet for portraying Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which required him to undergo a physical transformation.

The actor recently visited “Ruthie’s Table 4” podcast and talked candidly about observing unnecessary practices, including the demanding diet he had to maintain for his role as Doctor Strange in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where a body transformation was necessary.

During our conversation, Cumberbatch shared that he relished the part of his work involving physical transformations. However, he also reminded me of the challenging dietary requirements he had to follow – consuming five meals a day just to reach his calorie target, and snacking on items like boiled eggs, crackers, almonds, and cheese throughout the day, which he described as “unappetizing” or “horrific.”

In our chat, Cumberbatch spoke fondly about the physical aspect of his acting job. Yet, he also brought up the tough dietary demands he faced – needing to eat five meals a day and snacking on things like boiled eggs, crackers, almonds, and cheese, which he deemed “disgusting” or “horrible.

As a gamer, I can tell you from personal experience that training is crucial for success in any game, and the payoff is undeniable – I feel powerful and self-assured, standing tall with enduring stamina to conquer even the toughest challenges. However, the process itself can be grueling at times. To put it bluntly, I find it dreadful when I have to push past my normal appetite for food, especially during intense gaming sessions. It’s not something I particularly enjoy, but I understand its importance in maintaining peak performance.

In addition, Cumberbatch stated, “Regarding accountability, self-reliance, and eco-friendliness, it’s almost as if I’m questioning myself. With the quantity of food I consume, I could provide for an entire family.

Furthermore, the actor from “The Phoenician Scheme” pointed out that it’s not only food waste that contributes to the film and TV industry being excessively wasteful.

Consider unique set constructions, factor in transportation, consider food and shelter, yet don’t forget about lighting and power needs, particularly the energy required for producing adequate and constant light in a studio setting. It’s a significant amount of energy,” he pointed out.

Benedict Cumberbatch understands that actors often face criticism when they express opinions about “climate issues” and excessive consumption in Hollywood, given the industry’s ongoing wastefulness. However, this doesn’t deter him, both as an actor and a producer, from actively advocating for “eco-friendly practices” and sustainability on film sets.

He expressed that it’s not just a casual conversation anymore about eliminating single-use plastics, stating his belief that we’ve moved past this point. He suggested that providing crew members with plastic bottles isn’t necessary, unless they’re in an extraordinary circumstance like being in the middle of a desert and can’t find glass bottles. However, considering it’s the 21st century, there should be alternatives available.

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2025-07-23 01:55