Hugh Jackman Cycling Between Wolverine and Les Miserables
For many years, Hugh Jackman has alternated between vastly different physical forms for his roles. To portray Wolverine in nine X-Men movies between 2000 and 2024, he significantly increased his muscle mass with trainer David Kingsbury, consuming high-calorie diets and dehydrating prior to significant shirtless appearances. Conversely, for his role as the emaciated prisoner Jean Valjean in 2012's Les Misérables, he shed approximately 30 pounds, undergoing a 36-hour fast and avoiding water before the initial scene. Jackman has discussed the demanding nature of these transformations on platforms like Joe Rogan's podcast, and in 2013, he disclosed a basal cell carcinoma diagnosis which he attributed to extensive outdoor workouts over the years. The 2024 film Deadpool and Wolverine was presented as his final venture into this intense bulking regimen.