Mark Ruffalo's Surprising Transformations in 'Poor Things': Corsets, Shoulder Pads, and an Unexpected 'Ass Pad'
Mark Ruffalo sheds light on his transformative journey for the film 'Poor Things', revealing the challenges of donning a corset, shoulder pads, and an 'ass pad' Experience the actor's incredible dedication as he immerses himself into the role, redefining the boundaries of his craft
Mark Ruffalo disclosed that in his newest movie, Poor Things, he had to wear a corset and padding to achieve his look.
“I had an ass pad in, did you know that?” Ruffalo, 56, told Robert Downey Jr. during the December 4 episode of Variety‘s “Actors on Actors” series. “My legs were, like, four inches bigger. My calf was four [inches]. He really wanted the silhouette. So I was wearing a corset with shoulder pads, so I was so squeezed in.”
Yorgos Lanthimos directs this period fantasy comedy, featuring Emma Stone as a young woman brought to life by a scientist. She flees with a hedonistic lawyer, played by Ruffalo. Although the idea of corsets and padding may seem excessive, the actor revealed that his costume for Poor Things was originally intended to be even more intricate.
"It was even more extreme. [Lanthimos] wanted me to look like a bird, so I had this whole built out chest piece that never made it because it was just too much,” Ruffalo explained. “But the big ass pads, the leg pads, the thigh pads, the calf pads, those were all playing. So when you look at that and you’re like, ‘Wow, he looks great’ — now you know, I was just wearing what the Avengers wear, but underneath my clothes.”
Mark Ruffalo Arturo Holmes/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival
In addition to all the extra layers, Ruffalo also went nude for a sex scene early in the film.
"I was thinking, 'Do I really have to do this?' All I can hear is, 'No one wants to see your old self anymore. Maybe you should consider not doing movies like that anymore,'" he quipped. "I mean, it's my least favorite part of it, but I also saw it as quite comical and an extension of the physical comedy that we were already exploring. So it was simply another way to narrate the story."
Mark Ruffalo's Moviestore Collection and Cover Images feature Downey, who has been friends with Ruffalo for decades and confirmed that the actor is not fond of seeing his body on the big screen, despite their costarring in the Marvel Cinematic Universe franchise.
"I have to mention this because I've known you for so long. During one of the Avengers movies, you took off your shirt and you were in amazing shape," reminisced the 58-year-old Iron Man actor. "The director immediately said, 'We got it.' And you were like, 'Can I please stop dieting and working out now?' I have never met anyone more eager to avoid being vain beyond what is necessary for their work."
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When Ruffalo asked, “Was that a compliment?” Downey assured him it was, adding, “But I’ve got to say, you look pretty bangable to me, in case you were wondering.”
Poor Things will hit theaters on Friday, December 8.
