The Machinist

[evertonsue]

I can't believe how thin Christian Bale was in 'The Machinist' he said he didn't eat and lost 67 pounds, surely he was putting himself at a great risk just to play this part?!

[butter1]

I watched this last night and I thought he looked absolutely terrible.  Can't believe he was so thin.  Surely he was putting himself in danger but I'm sure that he was observed by a professional.  I'm sure no one in the production wanted him to come to any harm.

[Hendrix55]

It is amazing.  I saw an interview with him, and he went way beyond what they had asked of him.  He said he got really into losing weight and wanted to see how far he could go...  He then had to put loads of weight and muscle back on for Batman.  He knew it was bad for him - loon! He's great though - love him in American Psycho!

[Booldawg]

Peter Cushing was orginally cast for the role, but unfortunately he died 25 years before filming commenced.

[Mattk]

the sad thing for bale is he didnt even get an award nomination for his role

[Andy008]

It is simliar to Robert De Niro's preparation for Raging Bull. In the 1st half of the film, he was so fit many boxers thought he could easily have turned professional.

For the second half, he literally wrecked his body piling on 48 pounds in fat, by "eating his way through Europe".

He lost 2 stone to play Travis Bickle in Taxi Driver, and gained a load of fat again for the Untouchables. He then trained with ex-SAS soldiers for the filming of Heat.

De Niro once said "my body is the framework for the parts I play" . Bale put himself at risk of course, but that is what dedication to a role is all about.