Acting, for some people, is simply just “playing” a character. That may be a perspective, sure, but acting is a lot more than that. Instead of just copying someone, the actor is burdened with becoming that character, which requires a whole list of things to be done. This includes undergoing serious body transformations for their roles.
And yes, it’s easier said than done as that requires a lot of hard work and determination. However, we have such actors who have constantly wowed us with their performances and body transformations, showing us how passionate they are. Let’s glance at a few actors who went under major body transformations.
1. Chris Hemsworth for Thor
This Australian lad is best known for his work in the superhero action film Thor based on the comic book series of the same name. Thor is a God who rules Asgard and obviously has Godly powers. Now, this isn’t a character that can be played with just a few run-ins at the gym. Hemsworth almost made the gym his second home as he worked out like crazy to get into shape to play a Heroic God.
2. Christian Bale for The Machinist
Before he became Batman, he was the Machinist. Bale might be known for his charming looks and strong body, but he once lost all his abs to play an insomniac machinist who was stick thin. To prepare for the role, Bale took upon a draconian diet, which required him to eat just an apple and a can of tuna so he could lose 63 pounds. If that doesn’t scream dedication, we don’t know what does.
3. Chris Pratt for Guardians of the Galaxy
Superhero flicks might be fun for us to watch, but not so much for the actors as they have to prepare like crazy to look like superheroes. Included in this list is Chris Pratt, who is mostly known for light-hearted romantic comedies. The Guardians of the Galaxy series changed Pratt’s perception in many people’s minds as they saw him in a completely new look – bigger muscle size, chiseled abs, and a whole new passion for the craft.
4. Jake Gyllenhaal for Southpaw
Gyllenhaal, also known for cute comedies, came out in a whole different light when he starred in this boxer flick. He gained 15 pounds of pure muscle to mirror a boxer’s physique. Preparing for the role, Gyllenhaal worked out for six hours every day the entire week to achieve the character’s physical appearance. The preparation for the role saw his breakup with then-girlfriend Alyssa Miller.
5. Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club
McConaughey had to lose 40 pounds so he could fit into the role of an AIDS patient. Dallas Buyers Club dealt with one man challenging the government of the United States to approve legalizing unauthorized medication for other AIDS patients. He claimed to have stayed mentally strong to play the part with truthfulness and dedication. The movie did quite well, and so did McConaughey’s performance.
