The Transformers: Stars Who've Altered Their Bodies for Roles

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

In 'Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time,' the lovable Jake Gyllenhaal steps up to summer blockbuster plate as the heroic Prince Dastan, appearing bulked-up and ready to take down bad guys on ancient turf. But the affable star isn't the first to radically change his physique for a part. As 'Persia' gallops into theaters, we took a look at some of Hollywood's most iconic actors whose roles have called for dramatic physical transformations.

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

Brad Pitt: 'Troy'
Before: Let's face it: Brad Pitt has always been a hunk, and his roles only amplify or tone down his good looks by degrees. In the mid-2000s, he had made a name for himself as a capable actor, appearing in films from 'Fight Club' (1999) to 'Ocean's Eleven' (2001).
After: To play Achilles, the hero of 2004's horse opera of an epic, Pitt packed on a reported 20 pounds of muscle and grew his locks so long that they could flow in the wind while he rode horses to victory. The actor looked so good in his breastplates and man-skirts that countless fitness sites still hawk a regime based on his purported path to success.

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

Robert De Niro: 'Raging Bull'
Before: Robert De Niro was swiftly becoming one of the most prominent actors of his time, playing young, serious men with a flair for romance in films like 'The Deer Hunter' (1978) and a youthful Vito Corleone in 'The Godfather: A Novel for Television' (1977).
After: For the gritty biopic 'Raging Bull' (1980), De Niro took his physique in two wildly different directions to play famous middleweight boxer Jake La Motta. First, the actor dieted and worked out with La Motta for a year to resemble the athlete as a champion at the top his game. Then the actor ate his way through France's finest establishments to pack on nearly 60 pounds to portray the boxer long after his career in the ring had come to a close.

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

Will Smith: 'Ali'
Before: Will Smith made his early career as the lanky, fun-loving star of TV's 'Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.' Later, her went on to a big-screen career, playing an everyman lawyer and a golfer, among other roles, after leaving behind his days as a fictional rich kid/rapper. Tall, attractive and ever-slim, the actor was far from imposing. According to his trainer for 'Ali,' Smith was simply "out of shape."
After: When he scored the part of the legendary boxer for Muhammad Ali's 2001 biopic, Smith was put on a strict training regime that involved three-mile runs, boxing, weights and, of course, watching fight films before bed. The results were dramatic: In 2002, the former sit-com star was nominated for an Academy Award for his performance -- and most likely his rock-hard abs didn't hurt.

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

George Clooney: 'Syriana'
Before: There's a reason George Clooney is one of Hollywood's hottest actors, at any age. The ever-eligible bachelor smolders with a trim physique, clean-shaven, suave look -- not to mention that irresistible charisma that first had ladies swooning over his role as Ace on 'ER,' and later in movies like 'Three Kings' and 'Ocean's Eleven.'
After: As veteran CIA agent Bob Barnes, Clooney packed on nearly 40 pounds and grew out a shaggy beard. He told press that his goal was to "fit into the wallpaper and not be noticed" -- a tall order for one of the world's sexiest men.

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

Renee Zellweger: 'Bridget Jones's Diary'
Before: Petite Texas native Renee Zellweger skyrocketed out of obscurity as the shy assistant to Tom Cruise's character in 'Jerry Maguire' in 1996. The actress had previously played mostly bit parts, including pretty, pouty Gen-Xer in films like 'Empire Records' and 'Reality Bites.'
After: Twenty pounds and countless cigarettes later, Zellweger transformed herself into the awkward, lovelorn British character whose touching and often hilarious struggle with weight, confidence and men made her a hero of the best-selling, eponymous novel. The actress's wholly believable transformation for Bridget's big-screen debut won her both fans and an Oscar nomination.

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

Christian Bale: 'The Machinist'
Before: Slim, fit and ready for action, Christian Bale's unusual, coolly sexy look and ability to wield guns as easily as an American accent won him roles that were as diverse as a killing machine trying to overthrow a fascist government ('Equilibrium,' 2002) and an uptight Californian who ruffles feathers in his mother's bohemian life ('Laurel Canyon' (2002).
After: The Welsh actor's commitment to his craft became tabloid fodder in 2004, when he shed a shocking 62 pounds to play an insomniac machine worker in this psychological thriller. Bale became so gaunt with his coffee-and-apple diet that producers reportedly wouldn't let him get down to his final, skeletal goal.

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

Charlize Theron: 'Monster'
Before: Svelte, sexy and utterly glamorous, South African native Charlize Theron was a ballerina and model before becoming an actress, and quickly became known for playing gorgeous love interests in films like Lasse Hallstrom's 'The Cider House Rules' (1999).
After: Theron became nearly unrecognizable for her role as Aileen Wuornos, a Florida prostitute-turned-serial killer who was ultimately sent to death row. The leggy actress put on 30 pounds and used prosthetic teeth to play the part. Her performance won her an Oscar among other prestigious awards.

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

Ben Kingsley: 'Ghandi'
Before: A U.K. native, Ben Kingsley was adept at portraying proper business types and dramatic men alike, acting in the Royal Shakespeare Company and on British TV shows such as soapy local staple, 'Coronation Street.' Petite and bald, he was born to a Ugandan-Asian father and an English-born mother, and changed his birth name to one that his dad said would be a better fit for the stage.
After: To prepare for his Oscar-winning role as the Indian pacifist -- who counted hunger strikes in his arsenal of civic-minded acts -- Kingsley lost dozens of pounds, read 20-plus volumes of Ghandi's writings, and practiced yoga and meditation daily while on set. He later compared the process to "having a layer of skin peeled off my eyeballs."

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles

Taylor Lautner: 'New Moon'
Before: Taylor Lautner took a gigantic step into the spotlight as Bella's love interest in 'Twilight,' becoming a global star practically overnight after kid-oriented fare like 'Cheaper by the Dozen 2' (2005) and 'The Adventures of Sharkboy and Lava Girl 3-D' (2005). With pretty-boy looks and a million-dollar smile, the young actor became fans' favorite boy next door.
After: In 'Twilight''s follow-up, Jacob comes into his own as (spoiler alert!) a ferocious werewolf, joining his ancient clan and becoming a man. Amid a rumored struggle to keep his role, the actor hit the gym seven days a week and ate his heart out to pack on a reported 30 pounds of pure muscle to play the part. He became buff enough not only to stay on as Jacob, but also grace the cover of Rolling Stone.

The Transformers: Stars Who Changed Their Bodies for Roles