Playing a Marvel hero presents its own set of difficulties. These expectations put immense pressure on the actors to focus more on their physique as well as the storyline of the movie. Adding to this is Paul Rud, whose stringent diet for Ant-Man 3 demonstrated his dedication to the role.
When compared to the extraordinarily high standards of the MCU, the film fell short of showcasing its brilliance on screen. While the fans might have not liked the superhero movie to that extent, the terrible diet and exercise routine that Rudd went through to prepare for his character proved that no one could despise him.
The rigid schedule Paul Rudd adhered to play Scott Lang in Ant-Man 3
The Marvel Cinematic Universe has seen actors go to all lengths in order to achieve their desired superhero body. Being no different from this, Paul Rudd revealed in an interview on the Off Menu podcast that he had to follow a very strict diet to play the role of Scott Lang. Further, in order to do so, he had to incorporate specific high-protein foods and avoid sugary items and beverages at all costs.
Although most individuals would reward themselves with a piece of cake or a glass of wine, the actor, on the other hand, chose to reward himself with sparkling water. He continued, saying:
When I was having to train for the ‘Ant-Man movie,’ and I was on a very restrictive diet, my reward was sparkling water [laughs]. That’s how horrible that diet was. I was like, ‘Alright, I’m gonna have some sparkling water now, I’ve earned it.
The host went on to ask him if the sparkling water even felt like a treat. Further, Rudd clarified that the water, despite being unflavored, was a good choice and added that he “wasn’t gonna go crazy.” He also added that his favorite brand of sparkling water was San Pellegrino. Additionally, he said that because he is accustomed to eating bland meals, adapting to the diet wasn’t too difficult for him.
Paul Rudd’s body transformation was impressive. However, he isn’t the only Marvel actor who has gone through extreme measures to play a role.
Scarlett Johansson’s body transformation to play Black Widow
Scarlett Johansson herself admitted that before playing Black Widow in the Avengers franchise, she had not stepped foot in a gym. Further, she added that she’s more fit and capable today than she was a decade ago (via The Hollywood Reporter). But this gift of fitness would not have been possible without her fitness instructor, Eric Johnson, who’s been working with the actress since her 2009 Iron Man 2 debut.
Johnson further explained the rigorous training program that the actress followed for Black Widow. He added that they aimed to achieve specific milestones every 12 weeks. For instance, it could be a 245-pound deadlift or push-ups with a 45-pound weighted plate on her back. The majority of these training sessions are held at Atlanta’s Urban Body Fitness, where the majority of the Marvel filming happens.
The diet also plays a significant role in Johansson’s training. For this, she followed a time-restricted eating window. While this is what she followed during the filming, her fitness goals changed completely when she embraced motherhood in 2014. After which, her main focus was on strengthening her core and aiming to master more complex movements and exercises.
You can stream Ant-Man 3 and Black Widow (2021) on Disney+.
