From Batman to Bag of Bones: Christian Bale's Unbelievable Transformations

How the versatile actor shed over 60 pounds to embody a tormented insomniac.

Christian Bale is known for his dedication to embodying his characters, but his transformation for the 2004 psychological thriller "The Machinist" remains a standout. He underwent a shocking physical change, dropping a staggering 62 pounds to portray the gaunt and insomniac Trevor Reznik.

Bale worked with a nutritionist to ensure his weight loss was safe, pushing the boundaries of physical transformation for a role. This dedication blurred the lines between actor and character, with Bale's emaciated physique a visceral representation of Reznik's mental and physical torment.

The impetus for this dramatic change might surprise you. It all stemmed from a typo in the script that listed Reznik's weight as 120 pounds. Bale, ever the method actor, seized on this detail and ran with it, pushing himself to embody the character's skeletal frame.

For context, this is how he looked in batman:

Filming "The Machinist" with Bale at a mere 121 pounds, despite his 6-foot stature, must have been an experience in itself. The film's success is a testament to Bale's commitment and the power of physical transformation in storytelling.