You really have to hand it to method actors: when they commit to a role, it seems like there's nothing they won't do to become the character they're portraying on the screen or stage.
Ralph Fiennes, for example, is no stranger to method acting. Back when he worked on Schindler's List as Amon Goeth, Steven Spielberg commented on his commitment to the part, both studying historical documents and published diary entries and gaining weight for the part.
Fiennes was reportedly just as committed in his role as Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter series, insisting on wearing prosthetics instead of depending on CGI, and exposing the young actors to him as little as possible so their reactions on screen would be genuine.
Most recently, the actor transformed himself for his role as Odysseus in The Return. For this role, Fiennes not only appears to wield a bow and arrow, shirtless, but he's made considerable gains in the muscle department.
And by considerable gains, we mean that Fiennes is shredded.
@mrralphfiennes/X (Twitter)
Fiennes shared a pair of pictures of himself looking at himself in a mirror at the gym where he trains, and the actor has well-defined shoulders, torso, and hips, and there's no need to mention the serious ab and bicep definition.
Okay, maybe there's a reason to mention both of those.
@mrralphfiennes/X (Twitter)
What might be the most impressive thing about this transformation is that while Fiennes got into this peak physique for his role in The Return, these pictures were taken months after the film was completed, meaning that he's stuck to the routine that got him into this shape in the first place.
It's one thing to commit to transforming yourself for a project. It's another thing to commit to transforming your entire lifestyle for an indefinite period of time.
Some fans took the opportunity to joke about how Lord Voldemort couldn't have lost to Harry Potter if he looked like this.
But most were genuinely impressed and applauded Fiennes for his efforts.
It's no small feat to make such considerable gains and to develop such defined muscle mass, especially later in life.
But at the age of 62, not only does Fiennes not appear to have any interest in slowing down, but he's not prepared to say no to the demands of a role, either.
