A Hollywood actor has posted a picture of his brand new physique ahead of his latest movie role and he looks completely unrecognisable.
The star, 62, has pulled off a remarkable transformation, working on his toned abs and muscly pecs in preparation for the film which sees him play Greek hero Odysseus.
The unusual role comes 40 years into a glittering performing career which saw him become a hit at the Royal Shakespeare Company, before winning a Tony Award for his portrayal of Hamlet.
Since taking to the screen in 1992, he has earned three Oscar nominations, for star turns in Schindler’s List (1993), The English Patient (1996) and, most recently, Conclave last year.
The actor gained widespread popular appeal for his role in the Harry Potter series and has wowed fans in movies as varied as black comedy In Bruges (2008), thriller The Hurt Locker (2009) and historical drama The Duchess (2008).
But can you guess who this gym-loving film star is?
A Hollywood actor has posted a picture of his brand new physique ahead of his latest movie role and he looks completely unrecognisable
The star has been working on his toned abs and muscly pecs in preparation for the film which sees him play Greek hero Odysseus. But can you guess who it is?
It’s Ralph Fiennes (pictured, in 2022) – who posted the pair of pictures to X on Saturday, showing off his incredible new figure
It’s none other than BAFTA-winning icon Ralph Fiennes.
A fan page posted the pair of pictures to X on Saturday, showing off his incredible new figure as well as a grizzly new bearded look for upcoming movie The Return.
The account captioned it with a simple flexed bicep emoji and received 100,000 likes within two days of uploading the snap.
It comes after Ralph revealed the real reason he decided to go fully naked for The Return.
The actor also opened up about a gruelling diet and fitness regime for the role that saw him cut out bread, sweets and alcohol.
In the epic movie, the star plays a very toned but underfed Odysseus who returns home to his wife Penelope, played by Juliette Binoche, after 20 years.
Speaking at a private screening and Q&A for the film in London’s Mayfair on Thursday, Ralph said: ‘In the script it was clear – the nakedness. In The Odyssey, he throws off his rags, so it was clear that I had to show my body.
‘I wanted it to be believable as a man who’s fought and sailed and swum and has not eaten very much.’
It comes after Ralph (pictured, with trainer Dan Avasilcai in 2023) revealed the real reason he decided to go fully naked for The Return
The Conclave star shows off an amazing body transformation in the film, directed by Uberto Pasolini.
‘Thanks to a wonderful trainer, Dan – we were side by side in getting me into the shape you see,’ Ralph added. ‘But it was a lot of Dan’s knowledge of diet and training. He was very, very precise!’
Fitness guru Dan Avasilcai, who had previously worked with the actor on The King’s Man in 2021, shared a striking photo of Ralph’s newly ripped physique for the role on Instagram in 2023, prompting a wave of admiration from fans.
Ralph spent two and a half months before shooting to get into shape for the role.
His regime involved cutting out a variety of foods, as well as booze, and upping his intake of protein-rich meals, complex carbohydrates and vegetables.
The Grand Budapest Hotel star was also in the gym every day lifting weights and running to strip his body of almost all fat.
Ralph added: ‘On top of that, it’s the scars – it’s the whole look: the beard, the hair. I definitely locked onto the beggar that Homer writes.
‘In this version we leant into the beggar: the man who arrives emaciated and starved and also internally emaciated.
In the epic movie, the star plays a very toned but underfed Odysseus who returns home to his wife Penelope, played by Juliette Binoche, after 20 years
‘That interior evisceration – his sense of self has been smashed. And that was something it offered, which I loved.’
He said he was also thrilled to be joined on screen again by Juliette, 61, with whom he had acted before in Wuthering Heights in 1992 and The English Patient in 1996.
‘I’d been close to the project for some time but there was a moment when [director] Uberto [Pasolini] asked me if I would like to direct it,’ Ralph explained.
‘We went on a trip together to Ithaca and Kefalonia and to the southern coast of Turkey and Majorca and we talked about it and it became quite clear to me that Uberto was steeped not only in the Odyssey but in his film.
‘He knew what he wanted the film to be and I was keen to play Odysseus.
‘It went on the backburner until about four years ago. Uberto said, “Ralph! Are you going to play Odysseus?” I said “yes, and you have to direct your film”.
‘Then he said, “who is going to play Penelope?” And now there is a funny thing – I think he said Juliette, and he thinks I said Juliette.
‘We sort of both said together: “Juliette!”
Fitness guru Dan Avasilcai (pictured, third right, on Thursday), who had previously worked with the actor on The King’s Man in 2021, came in for heavy praise from Ralph
Read More
The truth about Chelsea Handler and Ralph Fiennes' rumored romance after cozy Oscars bash display
‘We approached her and in the best way that these things can happen, Juliette, who I’d stayed close to for many years, read Roberto’s screenplay and said yes.’
Ralph said recently of their friendship: ‘I feel our friendship has just got deeper. I feel Juliette sees me.
‘All my faults, all the things… Over the years, she’s become a mother of two children and has a life that I’m aware of, but I don’t know her children.
‘We’ve met as friends and seen each other in our various plays. That’s terribly meaningful to me, when she comes to see me and I see her onstage, and it’s always wonderful. It feels like a really strong friendship.
‘We’ll have to do a play together. We’ve talked about it. I think we just need to find the right thing that moves us, and the right director.
‘But I’d like to think that would be our next reunion: onstage.’