Gerard Butler cemented his name in Hollywood after starring in the epic war action film, ‘300.’ For part of Leonidas I, Butler had to go through four arduous months of hard training, which included working out for six hours a day. For two of those six hours, Butler and the rest of the cast endured a special training that included deadlifts, pull-ups, push-ups, box jumps, and more, in order to keep all the men in perfect shape. After all, they were playing Spartans.
Butler has said that he was inspired by seeing the other members of the cast train so hard too, and it pushed him to do more every day. He has said that “it was a very powerful place to be.”
Chris Evans Transformed Into 'Captain America'
In 2011's 'Captain America: The First Avenger,' Chris Evans was tasked with playing an actual superhero. And of course, in order to look like Captain America himself and save the world, one must look rather intimidating and strong. So, Evans transformed himself into Steve Rogers, training for more than two hours every day for a period of three months. His diet? Nothing more than grilled turkey and protein shakes.
Even though Evans recalls the experience as "grueling" and something he would often try to find an excuse not to do, he made a commitment and had to go through with it until the end. Not only did the actor do it and nail the part, but he also went on to play in several more superhero movies, bulking up with crazy training regimes every single time.
Jennifer Lawrence Became a Thin Russian Ballerina in 'Red Sparrow'
The beautiful Jennifer Lawrence has definitely proven herself to be an outstanding actress in recent years. But above all, people have commended her for her very outspoken beliefs that actors shouldn't endure traumatizing diets for any role. It seems, however, that everybody has their exception, and Lawrence's was playing a Russian ballerina in the 2018 film, 'Red Sparrow.'
The actress not only endured a harsh, albeit short, diet, but she also worked closely with a ballerina coach so she could play the character as authentically as possible. Lawrence said that it was the first time she'd been "really hungry and disciplined." Fortunately, the director allowed her to film the dancing scenes first so she could stop dieting and go back to eating regularly for the rest of the filming.
Bradley Cooper Weighed 225 lbs. for 'American Sniper'
Bradley Cooper has become a well-known name in Hollywood in the past decade. With films like 'Silver Linings Playbook,' 'Limitless,' and the recent 'A Star is Born,' the Philadelphia-born actor has certainly proved his acting skills. But his most radical transformation for a role was in Clint Eastwood's 2014 film, 'American Sniper.' Playing a Navy SEAL meant Cooper had to train hard and bulk up to a whopping 225 pounds, in just ten weeks.
Cooper and his trainer worked out a rigorous fitness routine and a diet plan that had the actor eating more than 5,000 calories a day. This meant that he was eating five meals every day, plus a few energy bars in between, and after-workout protein drinks. Alas, it all paid off, the actor was nominated for an Oscar for the authentic performance.
Shailene Woodley Had 350-Calorie Days in 'Adrift'
Shailene Woodley is a California-born actress that got big in Hollywood after her moving role in 'The Fault in Our Stars.' But it was her portrayal of Tami Oldham in the 2018 film, 'Adrift,' that really took a toll on her. Based on a true story, the film follows a young woman and her partner after they get stranded at sea by one of the most devastating hurricanes in recorded history. Woodley had to drop a lot of pounds and limit her diet to no more than 350 calories a day, and even less for the last two weeks of filming.
The actress confessed she was miserable, and it was one of the hardest experiences of her career. "I can't sleep when I'm hungry, so I was drinking a glass of wine every day to be able to sleep," Woodley said in an interview. For the last weeks of filming, she claimed to eat nothing more than a can of salmon, a little broccoli, and two egg yolks every day.