Orlando Bloom revealed the difficulties he faced while preparing for his role in the new boxing movie, The Cut, which hits U.S. theaters on September 5. The actor underwent a dramatic weight loss of 52 pounds to portray a retired boxer making a comeback, a process that tested him both physically and mentally.
Physical and Mental Challenges During Weight Loss
Bloom, 48, described feeling mentally and physically drained throughout the demanding preparation for the role. On Britain‘s This Morning show, he said,
“I was just exhausted, just mentally and physically,”
and added,
“And I was just hangry. I was a horrible person to be around.”
His grueling diet involved subsisting mostly on tuna and cucumber during the final weeks, leaving him without energy or mental clarity.
To achieve the transformation, Bloom followed a strict regimen under the guidance of a nutritionist who previously worked with Christian Bale, known for his acclaimed role in the 2010 boxing film The Fighter. Bloom recalled to Entertainment Weekly at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival,
“He had me on this really tight, strict regime and program for eating, and I was holding at about 163 pounds for what felt like weeks,”
before his weight dropped dramatically through additional methods.
Rigorous Training and Unique Weight-Cutting Techniques
Bloom combined cardio workouts typical of professional boxers with other intensive routines. He recalled a surprising weight loss experience involving an Epsom salt bath, saying,
“Then I did this Epsom salt bath and he said drink two liters of water, go to bed, and I woke up in the morning and I was like 10 pounds lighter. I was like, ‘Wait, what is this? Osmosis? How do you do this?’”
Despite the apparent success, Bloom warned against attempting this approach without professional supervision, noting the toll it took on his health.
“I was so calorie-depleted going into it and dehydrated,”
he explained.
“We went into the weigh-in and stuff at the end of the movie and I was hardly there, which is sort of perfect in some ways, but I’d be lying down between takes just to kind of conserve energy. And the dehydration. But what it does to the psyche is way more interesting.”
Co-stars and Production Details of The Cut
The Cut features Caitriona Balfe as Bloom’s on-screen partner and John Turturro as the boxer’s trainer, adding depth to the story of a fighter’s difficult return to the ring. Bloom described the preparation and shooting of the thriller as “really challenging,” highlighting both the physical demands and psychological strain involved in inhabiting such a role.
Significance of Bloom’s Transformation for the Film
Orlando Bloom’s commitment to transforming his body so drastically underscores the lengths actors go to authentically inhabit demanding roles, particularly in sports dramas that require believable portrayals of physical endurance. This weight loss and training not only shaped his physical appearance but also affected his mental state, demonstrating the complex nature of such preparations.
The Cut’s release in U.S. theaters will provide an opportunity to witness the results of Bloom’s intense dedication. The film’s exploration of a boxer’s comeback story, supported by a strong cast and realistic portrayals, is expected to resonate with audiences interested in character-driven sports dramas.
