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Many successful actors in the film industry are so dedicated to their characters that they are not afraid to adopt drastic measures to change their appearances dramatically. These include a variety of means, from serious weight fluctuations to time-consuming makeup sessions.
Their proactive approach–both in body and mind–is a telltale sign of their courage to be true, even if it means facing difficulties or making huge changes in their physical appearance. This is not just a question of attraction or being seen; it is a proof of the long way that some artists are ready to take to be unrecognized, to tell a story, and to make it more real in the eyes of the audience.
When we look into what takes a film from being good to being unforgettable, the usage of visual storytelling through character aesthetics is a prominent factor, often even game-changing. In current movies, the age of the actors is no longer dependent exclusively on the costume and the makeup that they wear.
Today, actors physically transform themselves to represent characters that are entirely different from themselves. They frequently challenge themselves to represent not just 'something different' but also rare or historically prominent personalities.
Hair, makeup, and prosthetics departments have taken the art of makeup way above what was ever done by simply graying hair or adding wrinkles, bringing a new standard of truth to visual storytelling. With the support of technology and the skills of the best cosmetic artists, they try to create stunning looks in films and shows.
The above-mentioned changes in the appearance of the characters did not come out of nowhere; it is a collaborative achievement of the artists working out of the spotlight, as well as the actors who go through the time-consuming process of preparing in the makeup chair, only after which can they portray the characters effectively.
Achieving such a realistic effect is usually the result of joint effort: makeup artists check the structure of the face and the texture of the skin and costume designers work on looks that correspond with certain periods or imagination, while directors are responsible for the tone of the film and ensure every detail supports it. It's not just the surface; it's the whole body's expression that can change one's character.
Disclaimer: This article contains the writer's opinion. Reader discretion is advised.
Here are the top 8 actors who underwent jaw-dropping makeup transformations
Have a look at the unbelievable talents of eight actors who totally changed their looks with the assistance of makeup. They showed the world unique ways of bringing a character to life, in a way that pulls audiences in fully. Their makeovers were more than just physical; to the audience's perceptions, they became a different person.
1) Jamie Campbell Bower as Vecna in Stranger Things
For Stranger Things, the creation of Vecna by Jamie Campbell Bower required a lot of energy. In addition, the process of creating the character demanded a great deal of artistry and patience. The physical transformation alone took about eight hours of work every day, during which the artists put layer after layer of silicone, makeup, and latex to make the figure come alive.
When the shooting was over, the process of washing up and taking the prosthetics off was extremely time-consuming and needed about two hours. It still had to be done carefully, without hurting the actor's skin or the materials. However, it was not just the tangible things that were responsible for the scary Vecna that could be seen on TV.
The character was enhanced through CGI, which added subtle movements, improved textures, and gave him an otherworldly presence, something that would have been impossible to achieve using practical effects alone.
The resultant figure was a perfect combination of make-up, effective special effects, and stunning visual effects. These factors added up to create one of the most memorable villains of any TV show.
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2) Jessica Chastain as Tammy Faye Bakker in The Eyes Of Tammy Faye
When Jessica Chastain assumed the role of televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker, the character's personification was out of this world. The visual transformation, which not only wowed the viewers but also the critics, was extraordinary.
Rather than relying on their imagination alone, make-up department head Linda Dowds, hair supervisor Stephanie Ingram, and prosthetics expert Justin Raleigh carried out extensive research. Taking inspiration from historical sources and photos, they were able to create Tammy's iconic and ever-changing looks.
The whole process was really an uphill task; the materials, from which the layers were made, were silicone. It took a careful application of three different layers of prosthetics that took four whole hours each day to prepare.
Indeed, the hard work of the crew definitely resulted in something big, as the makeup won an Oscar for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, and Chastain won the Best Actress award. This was clearly an indication that their performance and artistry were in perfect harmony in the movie.
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3) Sebastian Stan as Edward in A Beautiful Man
Sebastian Stan doesn't hold back in selecting challenging characters or roles to portray. Whether he's becoming a Marvel legend, exploring the disturbing charm of a cannibal seductress, or immersing himself in the manic spirit of Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee, he always demonstrates he's not afraid to stretch his range. With every performance, he indicates he's willing to venture into demanding characterizations.
His film, A Different Man, is another sign of Stan's continuous risk-taking. His portrayal of Edward is the kind of performance he likes to vanish into. In the movie, he played a man with a very bad facial disfigurement. The actor's transformation was jaw-dropping to say the least.
This frighteningly real makeup would have rendered him unrecognizable if we hadn't gotten lucky enough to peek behind the scenes during the film. The story shows Edward embarking on a journey of reconstructive facial surgery. Stan's performance explores the psychological and identity-related problems that might occur by such a big change.
Through this role, Stan adds another item to his already impressive and diverse list of character choices.
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4) Bradley Cooper as Leonard Bernstein in Maestro
Helmed by Bradley Cooper, the film Maestro covers the incredible career of Leonard Bernstein. Cooper's astonishing physical portrayal of the composer and conductor caught the audience's attention.
The stunning change, made magically by the makeup artist Kazuhiro Tsuji, transmits Bernstein's character at all stages of his life. It shows us the development of the person from the youthful state to maturity with great effect.
These visuals do not just represent the strong commitment of Cooper in playing Bernstein, they also realistically bring out the appearance of the character across the various stages of his life.
5) Marion Cotillard as Edith Piaf in La Vie En Rose
Marion Cotillard was completely involved in the transformation required for her to be Edith Piaf, and it was both her physical and emotional selves that she dedicated to the character. To have the most realistic representation of the singer, she chose to go the extra mile by plucking her eyebrows and a part of her hair. She also modified her voice, attempting to match the singer's voice.
This hard work did not end with the changes in physical appearance alone; Cotillard also had to undergo the process of hair-styling and make-up every day. The entire process lasted for five hours.
She showed the intensity of her commitment through these dramatic physical changes. However, the character stayed with her even after the shooting was done, which made it difficult for her to break free of the persona for a long time.
Describing the role's continuity in her own life, Cotillard exposed that she had resorted to spiritual cleansing. She traveled to the ancient ruins of Machu Picchu, in Peru, where she performed shamanic rituals, which were meant to be the cleansing of the character's influence from her soul.
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6) Vincent Cassel as Beast in Beauty and the Beast (2014)
Vincent Cassel looked almost unrecognizable in the 2014 film. Instead of using prosthetics or heavy makeup, he wore a custom muscle suit. The suit gave him a new body shape and made him look quite strong.
He even allegedly lost 22 kg during the filming period. Such was the actor's commitment towards the role.
The actor was just breathtaking in the Beast's role. The makeup artist and all the other crew members did an amazing work to give him the horrendous beast look that made us all shudder in horror!
Such an intense devotion to work shows the remarkable effects that transformative performances can have not only on the audience but also on the actors who feature in them.
7) Maïwenn Le Besco in The Fifth Element (1997)
Luc Besson has written numerous fully fleshed-out characters or roles, but perhaps none as fascinating and unforgettable as Diva Plavalaguna. The character was initially going to be played by a German model, but she unexpectedly withdrew at the last moment before rehearsals were about to begin, leaving the director in shock and distress.
His wife at the time, Maïwenn Le Besco, was an unexpected replacement when she agreed to play the role. As for the change, it was quite a tough task to achieve. The original plan was for Maïwenn to perform a lip-sync, but she actually had to learn how to sing to sound the part.
In an additional layer of complexity, she had an alien-like headpiece that was quite heavy on her, and she had to drink from a glass through a straw while keeping the character's dignity at the same time.
The huge costume required her to sit on a chair that was specially designed for the performance, so that no harm would be done to the very elaborate dress. And the total makeup and costuming process took her more than three hours per day.
8) Ralph Fiennes as Voldemort in Harry Potter
Undoubtedly, Ralph Fiennes' performance as Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter movies would not have been as terrifying without the impressive makeup artistry provided by the team. No trace of the actor's face could be seen, except for the ghastly complexion, snake-like structure, and a pair of nostrils like vertical slits — all of these worked together perfectly to give the evil wizard an inhuman look.
Incredibly, the mysterious makeup effect was obtained in only two hours right before the shooting of every take, a quick change that indeed was a lifesaver.
Without the blood-red eyes that were depicted in the novels, the on-screen Voldemort was still oozing terror. Fiennes' performance has been acknowledged as one of cinema's most impactful bad guys.
The actors who go through incredible makeup transformations show a level of dedication and strength of character that is way above what traditional acting challenges actors to go through. These changes often need hours of time-consuming preparation, physical stamina, and an unshakeable commitment to embodying characters that are either otherworldly or very complicated.
By fully engaging with these overly intense tasks, be it putting up with the weight of such materials, intricate costumes, or learning new skills such as singing or movement, the artists in this list pushed their art to their limits. Their readiness to undertake such challenging roles not only amplifies the storytelling but also impresses the audience, and thus becomes an expression of the real human impact on the visual and emotional transformation of cinema.
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