While we may seem to live in an era that’s big on body positivity, many of the unrealistic physical expectations that actors face still go unquestioned. Right now, it’s considered normal to put action stars through rigorous regimens in order to make their bodies look ideal for their films. While it is understandable, it is only to an extent. We must ask where we draw the line between acceptable and inhumane when it comes to physical transformation. While some athletes become actors, actors did not go into their profession to become athletes. Yes, they do sign up for this and get paid, but that does not justify the intensity they go through. Actors are people who deserve to be treated fairly and allowed to play the parts that they desire, without being pressured into unhealthy behaviors and physical strain.
This is an issue that has always affected action stars. And now, with superhero films dominating in popularity, these stars face the pressure of measuring up to fictional characters that are rarely drawn to be realistic. Within the source material, superheroes have extreme physiques due to their respective powers and conditions. However, actors, even if they’re a little a-list, are still humans. Superheroes are often drawn in a way that isn’t possible to naturally emulate, so even trying takes extreme measures. It goes above and beyond an actor’s usual work to expect them to go through a rigorous workout routine and eating schedule in order to try to resemble such fantastical characters.
A Regimen to Not Follow
Over the past decade, Chris Hemsworth has had to keep his figure the same in order to portray Thor in eight Marvel films. Due to Hemsworth’s new role in the upcoming sequel to the film ‘Extraction’ he has had to change his body, thus necessitating changing his regimen. Ross Edgley, a sports scientist, even commented on Hemsworth’s training for ‘Extraction’, calling it “obscene”. Edgley said, “He bulks up and he’s eating eight meals a day for Thor, then everyone’s like, ‘Oh God, we need you to be lean for Extraction [2], because that character’s a bit more [athletic]’. So he just stopped eating so much, and then set off running half marathons to drop weight. That would leave most people in bed. It was just obscene”. If this wasn’t enough, Hemsworth will have to achieve his Thor like figure yet again after ‘Extraction’. Even if Hemsworth is fine with putting his body through this, is it safe? Should directors allow him to? When a professional sports scientist says that this regimen is obscene, shouldn’t someone be ethically responsible to make a change?
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Many people argue that nearly any treatment of celebrities is acceptable because of how much they are getting paid while going through it. While it is true that actors are paid far more than working class people, who often must put their bodies through intense strain just to financially survive, we should not normalize anyone selling control of their body to a corporation. Ultimately, what the actors make is nothing compared to the profits that the studio makes off of them. Whether it’s a strict exercise and eating regimen, making them hold their breath underwater for several minutes, working obscene hours, or any other form of exploitation, actors should not feel pressured into accepting unhealthy extremes to get major roles. What reads like a sentence to the audience is a whole chapter for the actor.
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Breaking Free
One big star has already started the pushback against regimens for a role. In preparation for the recent film ‘The Batman’, Robert Pattinson did train for the role, but not as intensely as he was expected to. Pattinson says in an interview with GQ, “I think if you’re working out all the time, you’re part of the problem. You set a precedent. No one was doing this in the ‘70s. Even James Dean– he wasn’t exactly ripped”. Pattinson Reminds us that numerous iconic actors from Hollywood history looked cool and intimidating without modern intense regimens. There are solutions that don’t involve the actor needing to constantly workout and be on a strict eating schedule. For example, although Pattinson has a slim figure, the Batman suit bulked him up. Would there be any significant, negative impact on the film if Pattinson did not workout at all? Even if some fans want a more muscular Batman, Pattinson not following the regimen didn’t change what the film achieved to audience and critical acclaim. Do we have to see male heroes shirtless for a few scenes to see how muscular they are? Audiences should be faced with the realization that actors are people with typical human bodies.
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If studios care about the talent they rely on, they’ll take other methods into consideration. They can follow ‘The Batman’ by letting the actor maintain their figure and having a suit that bulks them up. With characters like Thor, who often show more skin and, therefore, need more than a suit, CGI presents an obvious solution. Superhero movies often utilize CGI to augment natural muscle and suits already. If it can be used to make Hulk, why can’t it also be used to make Thor’s physique? Or use prosthetics if it looks a little more realistic? When actors spend all their hours on set, they shouldn’t have to workout between scenes and outside of filming. If they want to workout then they should do so in a way that’s comfortable for them, but how they spend their down time should be their decision. Talent shouldn’t have to fight for the right to be treated with basic human decency.
The Impact
Sticking to these routines causes more damage than good. When audiences see these characters on screen, they feel pressured to look like the actors in order to feel attractive. Instead of motivating people to just live a healthier lifestyle by exercising regularly and eating a healthier diet, it pushes people the wrong way. Women see how thin Scarlett Johansson is as Black Widow, and how she’s then photoshopped to be even skinnier on Marvel posters. In using this type of editing, the studios send the message that, even after everything they go through to fit Hollywood body standards, the actresses still aren’t as thin as they should be. Women in the audience see this and feel self conscious about their own appearance. This treatment of women’s bodies may push both actresses and audience members to take extreme measures to try to feel thin enough, putting them at risk for issues like eating disorders. Men in the audience see a hyper-muscular actor and wish they looked like that. PR around the actors makes viewers think that if they exercise and eat the right diet, they can look like a hero too. However, this sets them on a misleading journey, because many actors are pressured into using steroids for such roles, although they cannot admit it, thus giving the illusion to audiences that you can naturally duplicate their physique. If even professional actors struggle to fit Hollywood’s idea of Cinematically pleasing, what hope do normal people have? There will always be a place for actors who choose to develop impressive physiques, but the way that Hollywood currently exploits bodies harms actors and the audience.
Allowing more actors to follow in Pattinson’s footsteps would be beneficial for actors and audiences alike. Actors would be showing realistic bodies on the big screen, which could make audiences feel less self conscious about their appearance. Furthermore, it would also be easier on the talent’s physical well being to not push them towards unnecessary overexertion. People have always been worried about how they look and the shape of their body. If actors were allowed to show more natural versions of themselves through film, fans would be able to relate to that and enjoy it as well. Extreme physiques will always appear on-screen, but acknowledging that superhero level bodies are best achieved through special effects would set more realistic expectations for audiences. Every big change starts out small, and this could be one of those changes.
By Veronica Waddell
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