Orlando Bloom recently shared insights into the challenging side effects he faced due to weight loss for his role as a boxer in his upcoming thriller, The Cut.
While many might think boxing is all about building muscle and getting physically stronger, the reality is that boxers often need to ‘make weight’ for their respective classes, which can range from ‘strawweight’ at under 105 pounds to ‘heavyweight’ at over 200 pounds, as noted by Fight Camp.
The focus on achieving a specific weight class is a central theme in Bloom’s new film, which he discussed during an appearance on the British chat show This Morning.
During the interview, Bloom stated: “Cutting weight is what we focus on, and that’s really the fight. It’s really a kind of commentary on the internal mind, the stress that the body goes through, the mind goes through, and it was very, very real.”
The actor, known for his role in Pirates of the Caribbean, acknowledged that his transformation was more than just method acting. He candidly admitted that he ‘wouldn’t recommend’ the drastic methods he underwent to prepare for the role.
“It was definitely not something to take lightly,” Bloom commented.
The actor credited his ‘great nutritionist’ for guiding him through the weight loss process, which involved gradually reducing his meals and eliminating protein powder from his diet.
In the final three weeks of his preparation, Bloom revealed that his diet was limited to just ‘tuna and cucumber’.
Although the physical transformation suited the role, Bloom highlighted the severe effects of the weight loss, noting that he experienced a complete lack of ‘energy or brain power’.
“I was just exhausted just mentally, physically and I was just hangry,” he admitted. “I was a horrible person to be around.”
Bloom also mentioned suffering from ‘paranoia’ and ‘intrusive thoughts’, emphasizing the importance of basic self-care: “We’re supposed to eat and sleep and take care of ourselves.”
“[The film is] really like a commentary on […] the lengths this person will go to to have that second shot.”
Bloom reassured fans that his extreme transformation was solely for the ‘purposes of the movie’, but he acknowledged that professional athletes undergo this type of training ‘regularly’.
Earlier comments from Bloom, made to People, highlighted that he was ‘excited by the challenge’ of the transformation, although he admitted that the lack of sleep affected his mental well-being.
“Turns out you can’t sleep when you’re hungry!” he admitted.