Sylvester Stallone Says Superhero Bodies in Movies Aren’t Natural

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For most actors, their dream gig is landing the role of the superhero. But according to Academy Award nominee Sylvester Stallone, says that dream job comes at a major cost for most actors. Due to the drugs that they have to take to maintain the superhero physique.

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Stallone Uncovers Secret About Superheroes in Hollywood

In a recent sit-down with journalist Tracy Smith, Stallone revealed that the majority of the actors who play superheroes are not “natural.” He suggested that they use steroids to maintain the ripped physique for filming.

“You really think these guys are natural?” he said sarcastically (via Variety). If you’re trying to play a sort of superhero or a person that is above and beyond a normal guy, you can’t do it. It’s almost like putting on part of a costume. For six to eight weeks, you manifest that book. And then you shed it.”

Stallone is speaking from first-hand experience. He had to keep a chiseled physique for his role as boxing champion Rocky Balboa in the famed sports trilogy film.

Stallone talked about how he had to use steroids to maintain that physique. He also talked about the “terrible toll” that the drugs took on his body. However, despite the negative impacts of steroids, Stallone said that he used the drugs to his advantage. He used his physique to present his character to audiences in a completely different light.

“I wanted him to get his scars removed and be a totally different guy. That would be a story point. He became protected; he’s shielded and vain. And when he finally met Mr. T, or Clubber Lang, that’s where reality hit him,” Stallone explained. “But to do that, I had to do a total body metamorphosis. So I went from like 50% body fat to 2.6%. I did it literally by eating tuna fish and [drinking] maybe 30 cups of coffee a day. And, of course, there were steroids.”

Stallone’s tell-all memoir “Steps” is available in bookstores now.