Marvel actors don’t hold anything back and these stories prove it

Have you ever seen the actors in all the Marvel movies, and said to yourself: “I could do that?” Beyond the on-screen glamour, actors were all forced to give up something they loved, just to be able to be a part of these films. Of course, these sacrifices were more than worth it, when you consider what they gained. And let’s be honest – they end up looking really cool.

No script? No problem!

Jeff Bridges admits he likes to know his precise lines before filming. But in the movie Iron Man, when he played the role of Obadiah Stane, he was forced to make some serious adjustments.

No script? No problem!

Bridges found out there was no script when he showed up to the set of the movie, which obviously made him uneasy about how he would play the part. But he was a professional about the whole thing, and he made it work despite being uncomfortable with the situation.

Hawkeye’s shooting pains

In the movie Avengers: Endgame, Jeremy Renner played a sharpshooting character named Hawkeye. What most people don’t know is that the actor actually broke both of his arms, during the making of a different movie.

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But he wasn’t going to give up his role in what turned out to be a huge box office hit. Hawkeye’s specialty demands using a bow and arrow as his weapon of choice. As such, Renner was in considerable pain throughout the making of the film. A sacrifice he had to make to be a part of this awesome movie.

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Too tight for comfort

The Black Panther, also known as T’Challa, was played by Chadwick Boseman, who had a lot to say about his apparel. Marvel decided to go with a very tight suit, which highlights the actor’s physique in an obvious and highly exposed manner.

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Boseman was vocal about the uncomfortable wardrobe selection, but the decision had been made. This was the suit that would look best on screen. Being the professional that he is, Boseman sucked it up and got used to his new snug look. The recent announcement of a 2022 sequel suggests the sacrifice was certainly worth it.

No beer for you!

Anyone who has worked hard to get in shape knows all about giving up their favorite food and drinks. Ultimately, it’s for a good cause, and Chris Pratt had even more reasons to make the sacrifice.

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No beer for you!

In order to play the role of Starlord in Guardians of the Galaxy, Pratt had to shed a staggering 60 pounds, and he gained so much muscle in the process, he actually looked like a completely different guy. Still, it couldn’t have been easy to give up beer for such a prolonged period of time. But we’re sure he feels it was more than worth it in the end.

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Change of Plans

Natalie Portman was set on taking an extended break from acting, in order to devote her time to being a mother. As a result, she initially was hesitant to take part in the movie Thor: The Dark World.

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All of that changed when she heard that Patty Jenkins was set to direct the film, which would have made her the first female director of a superhero blockbuster movie. After Portman signed her contract, Jenkins was later fired. Portman was now committed to her role, and as a professional, she kept true to her word and stayed on as part of the cast.

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Foresight is 20/20

Chris Evans was one of the original Avengers, playing the role of Captain America. Evans was smart enough to accept a lowball offer of just $300,000 to star in the movie, despite having already taken on major roles in his career.

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Evans took the pay cut and the rest is history. The movie series became a major hit, and the actor now takes in roughly $15 million each time he gets another chance to play Captain America. Talk about thinking long term.

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Too much makeup

When Dave Bautista got the part of Drax, little did he know just how challenging it would be. The former wrestler was in for quite the sacrifice, having to go through tons of makeup sessions just to look right for his role.

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His entire body had to be covered with layers of blueish-gray makeup, along with various shades of red streaking through. It is said that it took roughly five hours to get the makeup on, and then another hour to remove it once they were done shooting that day’s scenes. That does not sound fun.

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Unexpected Surprise

Scarlett Johansson played the role of Black Widow in Avengers: Age of Ultron. Little did she know when she accepted the part, Scarlett ended up pregnant during the making of the film.

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The nature of the character being an assassin must have made things even tougher on her, but she fought through it and it obviously turned out great. Meanwhile, the movie crew was in for quite a challenge as well. They had to figure out exactly how to hide the pregnancy while also keeping Johansson and he baby safe.

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Always on call

Marvel’s stars work hard when they’re shooting a movie. But their responsibilities don’t end there. Idris Elba played the part of Heimdall in the movie Thor. During his off-time, he flew out to DJ at a music festival called Ibiza Rocks.

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It was then that he received a call from Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) producers, notifying him they needed him for a cameo appearance. Idris was forced to leave the festival, which was not something he wanted to do.

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Positive Attitude

Paul Bettany spent a lot of time each day to get his look right for his role of Vision. Similar to Dave Bautista’s role as Drax, Vision’s look demanded a great deal of makeup to get him ready to film the movie.

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In this case, it was estimated at around three and a half hours each time they applied the makeup. While many actors might find this unpleasant, Bettany once said, “getting paid a lot of money is not.”

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Get Your Head Straight

In order the play the role of Loki, Tom Hiddleston had to wear what is said to be a very heavy helmet. How heavy? Apparently it severely constrained his hearing ability. Sure, it’s easy to find reasons to complain about how such a large-scale production could fail to find a more practical helmet for the actor to wear.

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But Hiddleston took is all with a positive outlook, saying: “I get to be Loki.”

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Rules are rules

When Marvel teamed up with Disney, they knew their movies would be limited to child-friendly content. When Samuel L. Jackson played the role of Agent Nick Fury, he was prohibited from using the character’s signature cigar.

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That might not seem like a steep price to pay, but it’s still a limiting guideline that all Marvel actors need to adhere to. Jackson is a true professional, and he went with the flow of the producers.

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Staying in shape

Almost all Marvel actors are required to follow a strict workout and diet routine. When it comes to fitness, they simply don’t mess around. Actors are required to hit the gym for about two hours each day.

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For Brie Larson, she hit her peak when she was forced to push a Jeep to get stronger. On top of rigorous workout routines, Marvel actors are also held to extremely strict diets. This often includes eating such foods as dried oats and boiled chicken.

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Image is key

Being in a Marvel production is more than just appearing on the screen. These actors know what they’re getting into when they sign aboard any of these movies. As part of the Disney family, there is a certain image that needs to be kept even when the movies are done filming.

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Actors must commit to maintaining a positive image in their everyday lives. Part of this includes volunteering to causes that help to portray a sense of caring and selflessness.

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No Spoilers

If you think you hate spoilers, take a look at what MCU producers will do to prevent them. In the modern digital age of social media, there is even more censorship required when it comes to the scripts.

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Actors are required to read the scripts in a secluded room with no windows, in order to avoid any potential “accidents.” Specifically, in the movie Avengers: Infinity War, the actors were told to enter a van, where the producers informed them of the storyline.

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Say no to DC

Any Marvel actor is obviously not permitted to partake in a DC Comics movie. After all, the two companies practically rivals, as each tries to create buzz around their own movies. Once an actor chooses to sign on to one side, they pretty much have chosen their own path.

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This is totally logical, since viewers need that sense of stability. Nobody likes seeing actors change when it comes to a big-name superhero. For the purpose of consistency, this “sacrifice” must be made.

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No improv allowed

Marvel movies do not encourage improvisation by their actors. It’s important to understand that the producers are trying to convey a certain vision that they have for each film and its respective characters.

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This is quite different than in many other films, where directors often give their actors some creative freedom to take the characters to new and interesting places. But Marvel doesn’t see it that way.

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Stunt man, please

Some actors are notorious for doing their own stunts. They take pride in it, as a symbol of their manhood (or womanhood). But Marvel made sure that all actors agree to refrain from doing so.

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They know they must protect their actors as assets, and as such doing their own stunts is prohibited. While it’s highly respectable that an actor wants to do his own stunts, it makes sense to assure their safety. After all, what would happen to production if they get hurt? And who would replace them in a future film? Seems a bit too risky.

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Meet the press

It is well known that fans of the Marvel franchise like to get the inside scoop on all the upcoming films. As a Marvel actor, it is well known that the work requirements go well beyond the actual production of the movie.

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Once the movie is done being filmed, the actors act as the face of the company, as they make their tours across the various press and media outlets. This is Marvel’s way of promoting the film, and getting as much buzz going as possible.

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Always available

You probably get it by now. Unlike many other actors in Hollywood, Marvel actors are pretty much signing on to a major commitment when they take one of these major roles. While it’s definitely worth it for them, it’s important not to underestimate just how much of a sacrifice they are making.

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Always available

Having to be ready to show up at any time is not a simple task. But don’t feel too bad for them. They are highly compensated for what they do.

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Staying in character

Actors who take on major superhero roles are often confronted with a major challenge down the road. It can become tough for the public to view them as anything but their Marvel character, thereby limiting their ability to get other roles in the future.

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But many actors have overcome this stigma, proving they are good enough to convey a different character and make the audience forget their Marvel essence. Still, it’s something every actor must consider before joining the Marvel family.

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Spider Man

More recently it was announced that Spider-Man will no longer appear alongside our favorite Marvel characters. Following a disagreement with Sony Pictures, who hold the rights to the character, there has been a split with Disney despite all of the actor’s hard work in the latest movie.

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Spider Man

Sony released a statement saying, “Much of today’s news about Spider-Man has mischaracterized recent discussions about Kevin Feige’s involvement in the franchise. We are disappointed, but respect Disney’s decision not to have him continue as a lead producer of our next live-action Spider-Man film. We hope this might change in the future, but understand that the many new responsibilities that Disney has given him – including all their newly added Marvel properties – do not allow time for him to work on IP they do not own.”

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Fame on a new level

Many Hollywood actors have to deal with people constantly approaching them. They pretty much can’t even walk in public places without being harassed. And for Marvel actors, who must maintain a very positive image, it can be even more challenging.

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Fame on a new level

Their mood better be upbeat and positive, or they better be pretty good at “acting” as if. That’s one of the bigger challenges for these guys, who really have to stay on top of their game all the time.