With the advent of the release of Joker 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the 2019 box office smash, I look at the weight loss achieved by lead actor Joaquim Pheonix, to play the role of Arthur Fleck (the Joker) in his infancy.

According to reports an incredible 50-52 pounds were shed in preparation for filming.

Whilst this 'method acting' physical transformation is not entirely new to Hollywood, as it's been used since the 1970s, it still remains very alarming that a movie star can transform his or her physique with or without pharmaceutical intervention.

Actors regularly undergo this level of weight loss, or in some cases weight gain, see Robert De-Niro's startling transformation in 1988's The Untouchables, playing Al Capone, or Brad Pit's iconic fighting physique in the seminal flick, Fight Club.

The studios, directors and producers are aware of the pros and cons of this level of commitment to the craft' and as such draw up contracts, permitting the actor in question to undertake the dieting, fitness training and in extreme cases, possibly anabolic steroids and or body fat burner pharmaceuticals.

The actors enlist personal trainers, dieticians, nutritionists and blood testing physicians, to provide a cocktail of assistance and accountability, with a studio enforced deadline for the first day of filming.

This can lead to rushing the weight loss / gain and subsequently give rise to organ damage, hormonal instability, psychosis or life threatening illness. I suspect there are watertight clauses in the contracts between the studios and actors, should any of the above possibilities surface, allowing the studio to replace the actor or even legally wash their hands of any accountability.

So, next time you wonder at your favorite movie star's physical appearance, spare a thought for what goes into the change in physique and the paperwork involved from inception to completion.

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