{"id":2068778,"date":"2025-10-04T14:35:56","date_gmt":"2025-10-04T14:35:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2068778"},"modified":"2025-10-04T14:35:56","modified_gmt":"2025-10-04T14:35:56","slug":"10-most-radical-body-transformations-in-film-history-ranked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/10-most-radical-body-transformations-in-film-history-ranked\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Most Radical Body Transformations In Film History, Ranked"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div data-article-body=\"true\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">People often say that to succeed in Hollywood, one must have &#8220;the look.&#8221; Well, that&#8217;s not exactly true. Although the show business world revolves around aesthetics, actors don&#8217;t have to have &#8220;the look&#8221; so much as &#8220;a look.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">While face cards will always reign supreme in Hollywood, society, and movie studios hold superstar bodies to a similar standard. Consequently, when an actor makes a dramatic shift in their physique, the world takes notice. Take Dwayne &#8220;The Rock&#8221; Johnson&#8217;s recent weight gain for Benny Safdie&#8217;s <em>The Smashing Machine<\/em>, and subsequent weight loss during the film promotion, for example.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.complex.com\/shop?utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_campaign=shop2025\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><b>COMPLEX SHOP:<\/b> Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what&#8217;s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Johnson has openly discussed how his new slimmer build will help him take on more grounded, dramatic roles in the future. However, this is far from the first time an actor has gained or lost weight for a movie role. So, here&#8217;s Complex&#8217;s list of the 10 most radical body transformations in film history.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>10.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Curtis &#8220;50 Cent&#8221; Jackson: &#8216;Things Fall Apart&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">When Curtis &#8220;50 Cent&#8221; Jackson burst onto the music scene in the early 2000s, his impressive physique was as undeniable as the tidal wave of underground buzz surrounding his name. At the time, 50&#8217;s build was unique, as most rappers didn&#8217;t look like they could compete for a Mr. Olympia title between recording sessions. As a result, when pictures of 50 looking absurdly gaunt hit the internet, fans couldn&#8217;t believe their eyes. To lend an additional dramatic weight to his role in Mario Van Peebles&#8217; <em>Things Fall Apart,<\/em> Jackson shed a staggering 54 pounds to portray a realistic cancer patient.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>9.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Chris Pratt: &#8216;Guardians of the Galaxy&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Two images of Chris Pratt. Left: shirtless with a fuller physique, laughing. Right: shirtless with a muscular physique, serious expression.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/RyGrL6lLAoSZIOk6j5pYjw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/186d80d476065a0da41ab00380fb8804\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Similar to how an iconic role can pigeonhole an actor for years, so can their physique. Even though it&#8217;s hard to imagine now, Chris Pratt wasn&#8217;t always a believable choice to anchor an action movie franchise. Before his star-making turn as Peter &#8220;Star Lord&#8221; Quill in Marvel&#8217;s <em>Guardians of the Galaxy, <\/em>Pratt was the funny, chubby guy from <em>Parks and Recreation<\/em>. However, once the initial images of Pratt sporting a lean and muscular build popped up online, people slowly began to drop their skepticism. Retaining the goofy charm from his sitcom days, Pratt&#8217;s weight loss propelled him to Hollywood&#8217;s A-list.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>8.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Tom Hanks: &#8216;Philadelphia&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Tom Hanks is in both images. On the left, he's dressed formally, and on the right, he's in casual attire with a scarf.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/KEeOwmdWv81j7ZjbMsq4mQ--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/b55eba0cdc7aaebc63a244dba7acd1ea\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Although he had since transcended sitcom fame, before his role as an AIDS patient in <em>Philadelphia, <\/em>the world viewed Tom Hanks as strictly a comedy star. Hank&#8217;s roles in <em>Big and The Money Pit <\/em>led audiences to believe that playing funny was his only skill. However, it wasn&#8217;t only the gravity of <em>Philadelphia<\/em>&#8216;s subject matter, but Hank&#8217;s radical physical transformation that helped audiences finally take him seriously. Hanks reportedly lost almost 30lbs to play the ailing Andrew Beckett in Jonathan Demme&#8217;s touching legal drama. Hanks also claimed that his rapid weight loss might have contributed to his type 2 diabetes.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>7.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Edward Norton: &#8216;American History X&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Two images of Edward Norton. Left: smiling with short hair. Right: serious expression, shaved head, and goatee.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/JrzkcWk_0fAwIUFNwcDOUA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/254e8f5121d057018e5bb30fc154b296\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Nothing makes a man more imposing than adding a few extra lbs of muscle to his frame. A slight increase in mass can transform an otherwise docile-looking individual into an immediate threat. Edward Norton&#8217;s remarkable physical transformation for <em>American History X<\/em> is a perfect example of this theory made manifest. Taking on the role of the tragic anti-hero Derek Vinyard, a reformed Neo-Nazi, Norton amassed 30lbs of muscle to bolster the character&#8217;s intimidation factor. The critical acclaim that Norton garnered from his turn as Vinyard helped solidify his status as one of Hollywood&#8217;s top character actors for years to come.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>6.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Kumail Nanjiani: &#8216;The Eternals&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Two images of Kumail Nanjiani: left shows him shirtless outdoors, right shows him shirtless with a muscular physique.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/IqVzpHO.bEK6v681y77FJg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/ea6732f0f775668ab383360d4f79baf0\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Following in Ed Norton&#8217;s footsteps, former stand-up comedian Kumail Nanjiani transformed from geek to beast for his role in Marvel&#8217;s <em>The Eternals<\/em>. Prior to his casting as Kingo in <em>The Eternals<\/em>, Nanjiani was loosely associated with the Nerdist comedy troupe, a group of proudly geeky comics. A bulk, no pun intended, of Nanjiani&#8217;s jokes were about being bullied during his awkward teen years. With his new physique following his turn as Kingo, it&#8217;s hard to imagine anyone bullying Nanjiani in any reality of the multiverse. Although <em>The Eternals<\/em> didn&#8217;t perform as expected, Nanjiani is still walking around like the Hulk.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>5.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Tom Hanks: &#8216;Cast Away&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Tom Hanks in a suit on the left, and as a bearded castaway on the right.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/bo92ZUXyvXGx_PVTiadmlg--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/a64fc6c5cf4e98855b22f0d175c31414\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">It&#8217;s one thing to drop a significant amount of weight once at the beginning of your career, but it&#8217;s another thing to do it again. After cementing himself on the A-list with films like <em>Saving Private Ryan<\/em> and <em>Forrest Gump<\/em>, Tom Hanks decided to prove he was still a hungry actor- literally. Hanks dropped a staggering 50lbs to play Chuck Noland, a man marooned on a deserted island, in the 2000 film <em>Cast Away<\/em>. Cutting that much weight is already a burden, but considering that Hanks was in his early 40s at the time makes it all the more impressive.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>4.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Tom Hardy: &#8216;Bronson&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Two images of Tom Hardy: on the left in a suit, on the right shirtless with a mustache, portraying a character.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/6HYlppFxS6vqRlSDQIvB4Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/8e09fc6372bc1ec42dab779b64d2278c\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">As one of Hollywood&#8217;s greatest character actors, Tom Hardy knows a thing or two about &#8220;disappearing&#8221; into a role. Frequently changing his accent and mannerisms to inhabit a new character is already quite the feat, but Hardy proved he was a physical chameleon in the 2008 film <em>Bronson.<\/em> Playing England&#8217;s most notorious prisoner, Michael Gordon Peterson, known as Charles Bronson, Hardy decided to construct a jailhouse physique. By creating a regimen of bodyweight exercises, such as push-ups, Hardy gained 42 pounds of muscle. Hardy would retain the physique for subsequent roles in the films <em>Warrior<\/em> and T<em>he Dark Knight Rises<\/em>.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>3.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Robert DeNiro:&#8217; Raging Bull&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Two images of Robert De Niro; left in a suit with a flower, right as a sweaty boxer in a black-and-white scene.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/kJWvgqgF8MYuEPVUrZK4Vw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/202d64dfeab415e0065ae0fb38204135\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Despite being the original role that inspired a generation of actors to lose and gain weight for a film, Robert De Niro&#8217;s two separate physical transformations to play legendary boxer Jake LaMotta in <em>Raging Bull <\/em>are still arguably the most impressive. Portraying LaMotta at two different points in his career, DeNiro got into incredible ring shape only to gain 60lbs to play LaMotta in his later years. At the time, going through such an intense physical transformation for a movie was uncommon. Although actors have gained and lost more recently, De Niro&#8217;s ability to do both still boggles the mind.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>2.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Matthew McConaughey: &#8216;Dallas Buyers Club&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Two images of Matthew McConaughey: left, at an event in a suit; right, in a dramatic role with a mustache and facial bruise.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/Wlr7.2EC5MS6yv3TOSB2rA--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/1d3130c9bd684c5bf4e69fdd58c50a99\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Few have had a career turnaround as dramatic as Matthew McConaughey. After showing great promise early on, McConaughey unfortunately and unfairly became a punchline in the 2000s. However, in the 2010s, McConaughey proved why he was an A-lister by taking several critically acclaimed roles, including Ron Woodruff in <em>Dallas Buyers Club<\/em>. As Woodruff, McConaughey played an AIDS patient and lost 50lbs to portray how the disease ravages the body accurately. McConaughey&#8217;s efforts were recognized by his peers, earning him the Academy Award for Best Actor. However, McConaughey claims that his rapid weight loss took a toll on his long-term health.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><span>1.<\/span><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><strong>Christian Bale: &#8216;The Machinist&#8217;<\/strong><\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Christian Bale on the left, smiling in a suit; on the right, extremely thin for a role, standing shirtless by a fridge.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/H5WErviy122x_2BD2MKWQw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/fc5f86400f91c3d6f63862fa1ab9b538\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-3 right-3 size-10 md:size-[50px] lg:inset-0 lg:size-full lg:bg-transparent\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-0 right-0 rounded-full bg-white p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-white\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><svg viewbox=\"0 0 22 22\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-4 lg:size-6\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\"><path d=\"M12.372.92c0-.506.41-.916.915-.916L21 0l-.004 7.712a.917.917 0 0 1-1.832 0V3.183l-6.827 6.828-1.349-1.348 6.828-6.828h-4.529a.915.915 0 0 1-.915-.915M1.835 17.816l6.828-6.828 1.349 1.349-6.829 6.827h4.529a.915.915 0 0 1 0 1.831L0 21l.004-7.713a.916.916 0 0 1 1.831 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed inset-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-white hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Complex<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">When it comes to weight loss and movie roles, there is only one undisputed king, and it&#8217;s Christian Bale in <em>The Machinist<\/em>. Even though Bale dropped a whopping 63lbs to clock in at 120lbs, it wasn&#8217;t just the number on the scale that made this transformation so legendary. Bale&#8217;s entire physique was so extremely gaunt that it genuinely looked horrific in the film. Couple that with the fact that Bale immediately gained 100 pounds to play Batman in 2005&#8217;s <em>Batman Begins<\/em>. It&#8217;s hard to imagine that anyone will ever top Bale for having the most astonishing transformation in film history.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"mb-4 text-lg font-bold\">Related Stories<\/h3>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"ct:story;elm:img;itc:0;\" class=\"stretched-box\" href=\"https:\/\/www.complex.com\/pop-culture\/a\/tracewilliamcowen\/the-rock-the-smashing-machine-benny-safdie-a24-trailer\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Four men posing together, one wearing an Adidas tracksuit and another in a grey shirt, all smiling and holding fists up.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/vD1GPuaynvEBDrWOJNr4Iw--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/dbd15ab764f0e998280eecb856468582\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/a><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>The Rock Becomes &#8216;The Smashing Machine&#8217; in First Trailer for Benny Safdie&#8217;s New A24 Drama<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">,<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"ct:story;elm:img;itc:0;\" class=\"stretched-box\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/busta-rhymes-shows-off-body-065943701.html\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Busta Rhymes smiling in a stylish black and white fur coat against a plain background.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/ny\/api\/res\/1.2\/JcmFqa25L2qhr4XXCVJz4Q--\/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTU0MDtjZj13ZWJw\/https:\/\/media.zenfs.com\/en\/complex_131\/ff5f9ea35bc50a73ad920c7e4094e55c\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/a><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p><span>Busta Rhymes Shows Off Body Transformation Amid Weight Loss Journey<\/span><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\"><b>Related News<\/b><\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><b><i><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/celebrity\/articles\/halle-berry-59-stuns-cheeky-151034520.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Halle Berry, 59, Stuns With Cheeky Desert Bikini Post;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Halle Berry, 59, Stuns With Cheeky Desert Bikini Post<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><b><i><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.yahoo.com\/entertainment\/celebrity\/articles\/kevin-hart-asks-rubi-rose-002952907.html\" data-ylk=\"slk:Kevin Hart Asks Rubi Rose If She Ate Druski\u2019s Ass on Kai Cenat\u2019s \u2018Mafiathon 3\u2019 Stream;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;outcm:mb_qualified_link;_E:mb_qualified_link;ct:story;\" class=\"link  yahoo-link\">Kevin Hart Asks Rubi Rose If She Ate Druski\u2019s Ass on Kai Cenat\u2019s \u2018Mafiathon 3\u2019 Stream<\/a><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.complex.com\/shop?utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_medium=syndication&amp;utm_campaign=shop2025\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:COMPLEX SHOP: Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what's next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><b>COMPLEX SHOP:<\/b> Shop the brands you love, anytime and anywhere. Uncover what&#8217;s next. Buy. Collect. Obsess.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.complex.com\/newsletters?utm_source=yahoo&amp;utm_medium=referral&amp;utm_campaign=newsletter_cta5\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" data-ylk=\"slk:Making Culture Pop. Find the latest entertainment news and the best in music, pop culture, sneakers, style and original shows.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas\" class=\"link \"><b>Making Culture Pop.<\/b> Find the latest entertainment news and the best in music, pop culture, sneakers, style and original shows.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>People often say that to succeed in Hollywood, one must have &#8220;the look.&#8221; Well, that&#8217;s not exactly true. Although the show business world revolves around aesthetics, actors don&#8217;t have to have &#8220;the look&#8221; so much as &#8220;a look.&#8221; While face cards will always reign supreme in Hollywood, society, and movie studios hold superstar bodies to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2068779,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25172],"tags":[304727,340881,313278,387184,22860,347324,306358,341080,305455],"class_list":["post-2068778","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-entertainment","tag-chris-pratt","tag-complex","tag-edward-norton","tag-film-history","tag-hollywood","tag-kumail-nanjiani","tag-tom-hanks","tag-transformation","tag-weight-loss"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/10-Most-Radical-Body-Transformations-In-Film-History-Ranked.jpeg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068778","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2068778"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068778\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2068780,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2068778\/revisions\/2068780"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2068779"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2068778"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2068778"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2068778"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}