The most impressive transformations in the history of cinema

There are actors who take theirs very seriously: here we tell you about the most impressive cinematic transformations that have been made.

The work of an actor consists, in the vast majority of cases, in interpreting someone else’s life, a personality, gestures and experiences that have nothing to do with the reality of the person who performs them. In short, become a different person. Sometimes, quite literally.

A person’s capacity for physical transformation has led to a paroxysm: actors and actresses who have decided to take their bodies to places they have never visited so that their character has the perfect shape. Unrecognizable movie stars who sacrifice themselves to give life and flesh to a new personality. Healthier is the choice of characterization and makeup that many stars choose, an undoubtedly healthier alternative to radical weight loss or gain.

Below we leave you with some of the most radical transformations we have witnessed in the history of cinema, both as a product of makeup and hours in the gym. How many of these actors and actresses would you be able to recognize?

Christian Bale in “The Machinist”

Christian Bale is one of those actors who doesn’t mind modifying his body to the extreme to give truth to the character he plays. Such was the case with his character in “The Machinist,” a suspense thriller directed by Brad Anderson, for which he lost 27 pounds because he suffered from severe insomnia. However, losing weight isn’t just Bale’s specialty. The year after this movie came out, he had to gain 100 pounds of muscle to bring Gotham City’s most notorious vigilante, Batman, to life in “Batman Begins.” Five years later, he lost 30 pounds for “The Fighter” to gain 40 pounds of pure fat three years later to star in David O. Russell’s “The Great American Hustle.” We don’t know if your doctor will be happy with Mr. Bale’s routine.

Charlize Theron in ‘Monster’

To bring serial killer Aileen Wuornos to life in ‘Monster,’ Charlize Theron put on 20 pounds and deformed her face with makeup and prosthetics. She was undoubtedly a wise choice, since this role earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress in 2004.

Jared Leto in ‘Chapter 27’

As in the case of Bale, we chose his performance in ‘Chapter 27’, in which he gave life to the killer of John Lennon and for which he gained 30 kilos (also suffering from gout and having to use a wheelchair). ), as well as selecting some of his other radical transformations. For ‘Requiem for a Dream’ she lost 30 kilos, as she gave birth to a heroin addict, in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ she gave birth to a trans woman with AIDS or for Ridley Scott’s latest film, ‘The House Gucci’ in which, for the peace of mind of his medical insurance, he used prostheses and makeup to play Paolo Gucci.

Marion Cotillard in ‘Life in Pink’

Another physical transformation that earned the actress who made it an Oscar. We are talking about the French Marion Cotillard and her excellent interpretation of her by the singer Edith Piaf. To look like this icon of the French chanon, the actress uncovered part of her forehead by shaving and lined her eyebrows until they were very beautiful. The perfect imitation of her movements on stage and a wonderful make-up and aesthetics section did the rest.

Antonio de la Torre in ‘Grasso’

In Spain it is not usual to see this type of transformation, although in the case of Antonio de la Torre we have the exception to the rule. For the role of ‘Fat’, as the title indicates, he had to put on no less than 30 kilos, weighing more than 100. The actor from Malaga assures that he still suffers the consequences of this process in the form of stretch marks.

Robert De Niro in “Raging Bull”

A paradigmatic example of radical transformation in the history of cinema: to give life to boxer Jake La Motta in Scorsese’s masterpiece ‘Raging Bull’, he had to gain 27 kilos in four months. A change that has left behind excellent physical shape: the actor has come to participate in three real fights in Brooklyn, winning two.

Brendan Fraser in “The Whale”

In this case, the transformation of Fraser into a morbidly obese man took place through prostheses, even if the overweight was already making its appearance in the body of the former family and youth film star of the 90s who now, with this ‘The Whale’ promises to win all the awards of the season.

Gary Oldman in ‘Darkest Hour’

Another Oscar-winning make-up and prosthetics transformation for the long-suffering actor who had to wear them. In this case it is Gary O’Idman, who in ‘Darkest Hour’ gave birth to politician Winston Churchill when he assumed the office of Prime Minister during the decisive phase of the Second World War.