Movie fans have always been fascinated by the extreme transformations Hollywood actors would be willing to go through when playing a certain role. While their dedication is inspiring, these changes can lead to mental and physical health issues, causing some actors to refuse to get ripped or slim down. Some even say this focus on physicality over performance can give fans a skewed view of what a person should look like, leading to a plethora of personal insecurities, potential bullying, etc. However, we do enjoy seeing jacked actors on the big screen, so there’s that.
Here are some phenomenal actors who got seriously buff for their roles.
1. Ben Affleck — Batman vs. Superman
Ben Affleck had superhero experience before being cast as Batman. Remember the pre-Netflix Matt Murdock from 2003’s Daredevil? Yeah, that’s him. To match Henry Cavill’s Superman, Affleck wanted a total transformation. He bulked up to 225 pounds with a focus on muscle mass, and it worked out perfectly for the movie. It’s just too bad that the film itself was a travesty.
2. Kumail Nanjiani — Eternals
Silicon Valley star Kumail Nanjiani transformed himself into a walking god for the 2021 Marvel flop — Eternals. He portrays a cosmic-powered superhero and Bollywood star, a departure from his typical nerdy roles. The actor was excited to share his progress but didn’t want to mislead fans. In a viral Instagram post, he emphasized that his transformation was possible because he had a year with top trainers and nutritionists paid for by a major studio.
3. Brendan Fraser — George of the Jungle
Fraser was a big action star in the ’90s and early 2000s. His most iconic performance was probably in The Mummy, which could have made him the next Harrison Ford, but well, something went wrong. Before that happened, he was offered a role in George of the Jungle, where he’d play a feral man from the jungle. Given that jungle people typically don’t wear shirts, he had to tone down his physique significantly. Fraser restricted his diet, worked out a lot, and even started skipping meals because, in his eyes, that still wasn’t good enough.
4. Zac Efron — Baywatch
Zac Efron broke out of the Disney Channel mold and made it big in Hollywood. One of the most notable steps on his way up was his role in the 2017 Baywatch movie, that nobody asked for. To prep for his lifeguard role, Efron hit the gym, focusing on bodyweight workouts. The actor described those hours he spent chiseling his body as intense and varied, pushing him to his limits with strength and unpredictability, making each day a new challenge.
5. Ryan Reynolds — Deadpool
Ryan Reynolds was no newbie to superhero movies when he signed on for 2016’s Deadpool. In fact, he had already played the same character in Wolverine Origins, which is probably how he got the role in a proper solo movie. Aside from Wade Wilson, Reynolds also played badass comic book characters in Blade: Trinity and Green Lantern. But Deadpool was his passion project, so he wanted to go all out, including his physical prep. With tailored workouts and smart nutrition, Reynolds became ripped.
6. Taylor Lautner — The Twilight Saga: New Moon
Taylor Lautner had to bulk up big time to play Jacob Black in The Twilight Saga. His character transforms from a quiet friend into a muscular werewolf. And to make it a bit more believable, Lautner had to hit the gym multiple times a day, six days a week, losing 35 pounds. Sadly, maintaining such a body wasn’t possible in the long term. When he eventually eased up and ate a burger, horny fans started calling him out, which affected his body image and mental health in general. That poor puppy.
7. Chris Pratt — Guardians of the Galaxy
Chris Pratt’s transformation from Parks & Rec’s chubby Andy to Guardians of the Galaxy’s shredded Starlord is a prime example of an actor transforming for a role. People had doubts about Pratt’s resolve, but he quickly silenced the haters with a gym selfie. His transformation involved much more than just ditching beer. Pratt went through six months of intense bodyweight training and worked hard to get that superhero body.
8. Hugh Jackman — Deadpool & Wolverine
Hugh Jackman, known for playing the Wolverine in the FOX’s X-Men movies, is no stranger to the physical training for a superhero role. After his supposed last appearance in Logan, he hung up his adamantium claws for good. Or at least that’s what he said until Ryan Reynolds convinced him to do it one more time. To get back in shape, Jackman went all out and documented his training on Instagram with the hashtag #BecomingWolverineAgain. Fans have already seen in the trailers that he’s in top form for his return, and now we’re waiting for the movie to come out!
