10 Actors Most Comfortable Playing The Grotesque

From personal politics to an accurate accent, playing IRA freedom fighter/terrorist, Bobby Sands, is no easy task. Playing the part in a movie which focuses on Sands’ hunger strikes as an act of protest is near-impossible. However, in 2008, Michael Fassbender managed this feat, but at what cost?

In what Boston Globe film reviewer, Ty Burr, described as ‘an astounding physical performance,’ Michael Fassbender went on a 900 calorie a day diet for ten weeks and lost a total of 42 pounds to accurately portray someone enduring starvation. Subsisting on only berries, nuts, and sardines throughout the three months, Fassbender admitted he began to have trouble sleeping and stopped seeing friends. This side-effect helped Fassbender get into a mental state resembling that of Bobby Sands, which undoubtedly assisted him in the role.

In what is a terrible ordeal for anyone to endure, the sacrifice was worthwhile as Hunger is considered one of the best movies of 2008, and debuting director, Steve McQueen, captured the BAFTA Award for Special Achievement by a British Director, Writer or Producer for their First Feature Film.