The task of losing and gaining weight for an acting role is a well-known custom among the most-dedicated of Hollywood stars:
Christian Bale famously lost 63 pounds for his role as a chronic insomniac in The Machinist. Charlize Theron gained 30 pounds for her role as a prostitute in the Oscar-winning film, Monster. Natalie Portman shed 20 pounds for her Oscar-winning performance as a ballerina Black Swan.
And, the latest A-list actor to transform her body for her craft is La La Land actress, Emma Stone.
In an interview with the Hollywood Reporter, the 28-year-old reportedly gained 15 pounds of muscle, after filming the Oscar-winning musical, for her role as tennis player Billie Jean King in Fox Searchlight's up-coming film Battle of the Sexes.
To prepare for her role as the athlete, Emma revealed: 'I gained 15 pounds of muscle. Lots of protein shakes and heavy lifting.'
Stone's personal trainer, Jason Walsh, recently said he built up the actress' stamina and energy for her dancing and singing role in La La Land with deadlift variations that he describes as a 'complex movement that incorporates every major muscle group working together'.
Battle of the Sexes is based on the famous 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs.
In the match, No.2-ranked King beat 55-year-old retired former Wimbledon champion Riggs (who will be played by actor Steve Carell), in what the New York Times described: 'In a single tennis match, Billie Jean King was able to do more for the cause of women than most feminists can achieve in a lifetime.'
Back in 1973, King initially turned down Bobby Riggs' invitation for a match but after he beat Australian tennis star Margaret Court and was known for his misogynistic comments about women.
However, she later agreed to play against the tennis star in a match dubbed 'Battle of the sexes', which drew in over 50 million American viewers.
King famously said at the time: 'I thought it would set us back 50 years if I didn't win that match. It would ruin the women's tour and affect all women's self esteem.'
We couldn't think of anyone better to play King.
Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.
