David Corenswet and 3 Actors Who Gained Pounds For Heroism

Superman who will be played by David Corenswet

The new Superman set to take flight in 2025, David Corenswet, recently shared his preparation for portraying the iconic role. Hollywood star Corenswet will be playing the Man of Steel in Guardians of the Galaxy director and current co-CEO of DC in James Gunn’s DC adaptation. The film is set to be released next year on July 15. David Corenswet isn’t the only actor who has packed on weight for an iconic role nor will he be the last. 

David Corenswet Packs 238 Pounds for Superman

Production has wrapped on James Gunn’s anticipated follow-up to his past Guardians of the Galaxy films and Suicide Squad story exactly one year before its expected release date back in July. The awaited adaptation stars David Corenswet as the iconic superhero and Marvelous Mrs. Maisel star Rachel Brosnahan as his eventual wife, Lois Lane. Corenswet appeared on an episode of the Manly Things (sort of) Podcast detailing his transformation.

The Hollywood actor, who also serves as the podcast’s producer, spoke on how uncomfortable he felt bulking up. “I didn’t fit into any of my pants. It didn’t feel great because I did it so quickly. My body hadn’t adjusted to the extra weight,” David shared with hosts Evan Smionitsch and Sally Jon. Paolo Mascitti, his trainer for the film, details his caloric intake was 6,000 on average and the actor mainly attributed his bulking diet to three meals and large amounts of Greek yogurt. As production kicked off, David Corenswet was able to cut back to approximately 228-230 pounds.

Michael B. Jordan Bulked 194 Pounds as Erik Killmonger

Michael B. Jordan
Apr 11, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Film actor Michael B. Jordan in attendance during the second half at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

David Corenswet isn’t the only actor who has packed on weight for a role. Creed star Michael B. Jordan radically moved up some weight classes to play the radical Wakandan and Navy SEAL, Erik Killmonger. Killmonger is the slain son of T’Challa’s Uncle N’Jobu, his character dedicated his life to going after T’Challa to claim the throne as king of Wakanda and aid oppressed African people around the world. Jordan’s portrayal is often considered, among Marvel fans, to be one of the best villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Jordan worked alongside Corey Calliet to get in proper shape for the role of Killomger, formerly known as Erik Stevens. Calliet is a celebrity trainer who has worked with him since working together on his first Marvel movie, the 2015 reboot of The Fantastic Four directed by Chronicle filmmaker Josh Trank. Calliet claims Jordan’s mass gain came through an average of six meals and three reps of bench presses, lat pulldowns, or deadlifts daily. 

Chris Evans’ Hulking 200lb Physique as Captain America

Just as Steve Rogers was transformed into the towering Captain America, Chris Evans made a drastic metamorphosis to play the Star Spangled Man. Similar to Michael, Evans’ first superhero role was as Johnny Storm in the early 2000s Fantastic Four films. Evans first portrayed Captain America in his solo origin story in Captain America: The First Avenger and last played him in Avengers: Endgame.

With an average weight of 180 pounds, it’s been reported online that he had about four months to gain 20 pounds to fill out his super suit. Trainer Simon Waterson worked diligently as he trained Cap before and after he was given the super soldier serum. For pre-serum, he had Evans undergo a reduction in calories and mostly cardio. For post-serum, he ate eight meals totaling 3000 calories with an emphasis on protein combined with heavy weights, speed, and endurance training.

Christian Bale Balloons to Twice His Size for Batman 

Accomplished Oscar-winner Christian Bale is known for his commitment to the art of acting. His portrayal as the Caped Crusader was no exception. From 2005 to 2012, Bale portrayed Bruce Wayne and his vigilante alter ego in Christopher Nolan’s Dark Knight trilogy which has received critical and commercial fanfare. 

Bale took on the role of Batman shortly after wrapping production on the 2004 thriller The Machinist. The English actor portrayed an insomniac factory worker with deteriorating mental and physical health. Bale lost 63 pounds for the role and his diet was reportedly a bottle of water, an apple, a cup of coffee, and intermittent swigs of whiskey. When production wrapped and Bale scored the iconic role as Batman, the American Psycho star bulked up considerably to 240 pounds in less than a year. Nolan raised concerns that his weight wouldn’t fit the Batsuit so Bale dropped 30 pounds to accommodate. 

Final Thoughts

Gaining weight for iconic roles is nothing new but very admirable. The majority of actors cast in superhero films and shows, like David Corenswet or Michael B. Jordan know that cutting pounds or gaining some is essentially required to perform their roles well. It aids in the enjoyment that these productions provide when it’s known what actors go through to ensure audiences are enjoying the finished product. 

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