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November 17, 2023

Lewis Hamilton’s Hotel Hacks Every Traveler Needs to Try

Lewis Hamilton first stepped into the Mercedes-AMG Petronas car over a decade ago. Before his signing, Mercedes was struggling to produce as a team, but with the young, cunning Brit behind the wheel, things changed. Since then, Hamilton has scored the record for most wins, pole finishes, and podium finishes in the most competitive motorsport in the world. No matter how gifted the athlete, leading the pack like that doesn’t come solely through natural ability, and the driver has found a formula for success that follows him across the globe.

Men’s Journal spoke with Hamilton on how he prepares to drive circuits he’s never seen before at speeds over 200 miles per hour, his favorite cross-training activities, and the travel routines that keep him at the front of the pack.

Men’s Journal: F1 Las Vegas Grand Prix has a start time of 10p.m. PT. How are you prepping for a night race—any hacks?  

Lewis Hamilton: Preparing to drive a new track means as much simulation work as possible to get a feel for the course. I have two full days that I’ll do in the sim before I land in Vegas. It’s important to adjust your internal clock, so before we get to Nevada, the team is spending some time in Los Angeles. I’m already adjusting my mornings to waking up and going to bed later to fit with the schedule of a night race. I’m also making sure my meals and nutrition intake fits the new schedule.

The key is adjusting the light I’m taking in—using different bulbs with different brightness so I can maintain a good circadian rhythm. Since we travel so much, I always make sure the rooms we’re staying in have blackout curtains so I can get a deep sleep at any hour. I like to keep the room cool, which makes the bed more welcome. The bed itself is also crucial, I like a firm pillow because I like to sleep on my side. The ones I have at home are Tempur-Pedic.

Courtesy Image

Do you struggle with sleep?

I’ve never been a great sleeper. For years I would go to bed at 2 or 3 in the morning and sleep for about five hours. But, to be honest, that worked for me, because our days are leading up to the the main event, which is later in the afternoon. So if I wake up at 5 in the morning, I’m probably peaking a lot earlier in the day than if I wake up at 8. So I’m sticking with waking up later, though these days I’m trying to get more like seven hours of sleep a night.

Related: The Best Watches Worn by Top Athletes

The Mercedes Benz team has a partnership with Marriott Bonvoy and The Ritz-Carlton, which seems like a smart one given how much you travel. How do you make a hotel feel like a home away from home?

One of the most important amenities is a coffee machine in the room, because I like to have coffee when I wake up on race day or any day for that matter. I love to play music, it calms me so I’ll have my music equipment in the room as well. I have a keyboard that folds in half so it’s easier to travel with. I really want that hotel space to feel like home. The Marriott team takes that to another level, and sometimes they’ll even have a picture of my dog, Roscoe, on the nightstand.

Related: Michael Jai White Martial Arts Secrets: Still Shredded at 55

It’s also about what I have them take out of the room. I have them take out all the snacks and anything from the minibar, because when you’re working strange hours your body can crave comfort. The easiest way to get that is from food, so I want to eliminate any temptation I might have to deal with later. Instead, I’ll make sure the fridge is filled with healthy snacks like fruit. 

Lewis Hamilton has trained with Grant Roberts for years to hone his strength.

Mark Thompson/Getty Images

What’s the most challenging part about being a Formula 1 driver?

The Formula 1 season is very challenging for all the drivers. We’re going to 24 different countries, maybe more throughout the year, sitting in planes all the time. Rest and recovery is a huge part of making sure we’re on point when it comes to showing up to the races ready. There’s an immense amount of travel involved. My mindset is greatly benefitted by meditation, so I try to prioritize it. I don’t always get to, and I can feel the difference, but the schedule can get very hectic. I always do better when I can put that focus into my mental game.

I like to start my day with positive affirmations, no matter what state I’m in, and focus on the things I want to do. That’s where things like playing music comes in handy. Competing has become very serious business, and we work hard, perhaps too hard. There’s immense benefit to smiling to the body and mind. Exercise is also a great way to help me stay sharp, on top of being critical to succeeding in motorsports.

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Speaking on that, how do you train leading up to and during a Formula 1 season?

I love to run, so that’s one of my favorite ways to exercise and stay on point during the season. If I can get a good 40 or 50K in during the week, I’m in a good place. That’s on top of the regular workouts I’m doing in the gym. I never had a trainer when I was younger, but when I got to Formula 1 I started working with a trainer who was primarily a physio. His program had me doing a lot of cardio and swimming. That was because back in the day we had to maintain a weight of 68kg [150lbs], which made it difficult to maintain any muscle.

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They changed those rules and now you can be heavier, so these days I sit around 74 or 75kg [163 or 165lbs]. That’s great because in my own free time I love to lift weights and get after it. I’ll go to an underground gym in Los Angeles with my friend Miles Chamley-Watson, who’s also an Olympic fencer for some intense sessions. He’s very slender and tall, which is great for his sport, but means I definitely got him beat when it comes to the pullups. The only problem is after one or two good sessions I’ve usually put on too much and have to ease back.

Formula 1 cars have a top speed of 214mph.

Courtesy Image

Any unexpected cross-training that helps on the track?

During the winter months I do a lot of cross-country skiing and hiking. I also love to surf, which usually turns mostly into me swimming because I don’t surf that well. That’s what I’ll be doing ahead of Vegas, getting into the ocean on a board before I’m back on the track.

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I see you’re a fan of ice baths. How do you think cold plunging helps you recover?

I do a lot of ice baths, or cryotherapy if it’s available, for recovery. That’s been a game-changer for me. There’s barely any suspension in our cars. I don’t know if people understand the toll your back and arms are taking. There’s a lot of pressure going through your lower back, knees, and ankles during a race. The lower body is very tense. Getting in the cold for a good three minutes really helps bring down the body temperature and resets you mentally.

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Those are even more crucial on the race weekends, before or after the race sessions. I used to save the cold plunges until we got back home, but this past year we’ve brought them behind the garage. I’m so hot when I get out of the car, and there’s no shower where we are. I’m heading to engineering soaked with sweat. They’ve become such a big part of my regime that I‘ll bring a cold plunge into the hotel room when I can. That and a little coffee are the best way to start a race day.

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May 20, 2022

Ricky Gervais on Why Standup Is His Favorite Medium of Comedy

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Ricky Gervais, the comedy icon and creator/star of After Life returns to the stage with his latest Netflix stand-up special, SuperNature—which shouldn’t be taken too literally. We sat down with the actor to get the low-down on life lately, but first, some rapid-fire questions:

  • One wish?: An animal sanctuary.
  • Money or fame?: Money is real. Fame is what again? Random people waving at you?
  • If God exists…: He’s doing a horrible fucking job.
  • Epitaph?: He had a laugh, then found a lump.

Men’s Journal: SuperNature sounds even more ambitious than 2018’s Humanity, which began with you telling your audience “I prefer animals.” Can we assume the new title is ironic, you’ll be in a stained black T-shirt and drinking beer out of a can again?

Ricky Gervais: And very likely wearing bad jeans. I don’t believe anything is “supernatural.” If something exists, it’s natural and explainable—if not now, then eventually. I do explain irony at the start of SuperNature. I say, “That was irony. There’ll be more of it in the show. See if you can spot it.”

What draws you back to stand-up between your series work?

Initially, it was just the other thing I did and enjoyed. Now I realize it’s my favorite thing of all. My revelation with stage time is its efficiency. You can write for hours and never predict how it’ll go. With stand-up, you have your answer in seconds.

After Life is in its third and final season. What prompted you to relax your usual two-season-max rule with earlier shows like The Office [U.K.], Extras and Derek?

It’s a bigger world this time with more drama and characters to explore. I do think it’s funny, though, that people make a big deal of me doing a third [six-episode] season—when that doesn’t amount to a single U.S. season. I could’ve very happily done more.

Why not? It’s called After Life. It could’ve gone on forever, right?

Everything points that I should carry on. It hurts me to stop this. It’s stupid to stop this. But I already blurted it out, and I think it’s the right decision. At least this way I’m not canceled. I’ve never been canceled because I always cancel myself first.

Speaking of which, if you were starting out today would you pursue a comedy career in the “cancel culture” era?

I would because there’s always cancel culture. Once upon a time, it was the middle- aged Christian right who were the gatekeepers. Now it’s 20-year-olds on social media. You’ve just gotta ignore it all. A comic bemoaning cancel culture is like a sailor griping about waves.

What comes more naturally to you, insulting others or self-deprecation?

Self-deprecation usually wins. There’s a sneaky bit of it hiding in the insults too, tucked behind all of that faux arrogance, right? I also think it’s important to distinguish an actual insult from just teasing someone about what everyone already knows.

Your scene with David Bowie in Extras is the yardstick of televised humiliation. What was it like to be shredded in song by a music legend?

Amazing. People still don’t realize I wrote those words for him. It wasn’t a documentary.

Did he write the music for that “chubby little loser” scene?

I sent him the lyrics and asked, “Can you give me something sort of retro for this—like, ‘Life on Mars’?” He goes, “Sure, I’ll just knock off a quick fucking ‘Life on Mars’ for you.” That was amazing, too.

Does life make any sense or is it just a series of arbitrary events?

I assure you, the latter. The universe doesn’t give a shit about us. It doesn’t even know us. So we better just try and enjoy the ride.

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March 18, 2022

Actor Michael Peña Talks Disaster Epic ‘Moonfall’

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , — admin @ 6:03 pm

Actor Michael Peña has been making moviegoers laugh and cry for two decades. In the disaster epic Moonfall, he’s adding yet another skill to his repertoire—saving the Earth. We sat down with the actor to get to know him better—but first, the basics:

  • Tastiest Chicago restaurant? Taquerias Atotonilco
  • Biggest vice? Too much coffee
  • Best Jack Ryan movie? Clear and Present Danger with Harrison Ford
  • Favorite travel destination? London

Men’s Journal: What’s it like making a movie about Earth’s destruction with Roland “Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow, 2012” Emmerich?

Michael Peña: I loved all those movies—plus Stargate. I remember watching it as a teenager and seeing a Latin actor in it named Alexis Cruz, and thinking it would be a dream to be in one of [Emmerich’s] movies. It was crazy doing Moonfall, I never knew what to expect. People are gonna have a good time watching the movie.

There aren’t many people in Hollywood who can do drama and comedy equally well. What’s the secret?

I’m a character actor. I actually don’t really approach dramas and comedies any differently. The only real difference is that I write more lines for myself in comedies.

You played the legendary farm labor leader Cesar Chavez in a biopic. What should people know about him?

He was ahead of his time. My parents were both farmers when they came from Mexico, and Chavez fought for migrant farm workers and for people without a voice, raising awareness about injustices. Regardless of where you sit politically, you should want people to be treated fairly—and that’s what he was going for.

Season 4 of Jack Ryan was greenlit. How has that character lasted through five movies, five actors and one Amazon show?

Because of [creator] Tom Clancy’s books. He was so good at describing worlds, and the characters he wrote are just so rich. He makes Jack an Everyman who tries to find an edge in fights just through pure hard work. The movies and show capture that—plus they’ve been lucky with casting.

Speaking of, John Krasinski didn’t seem like an obvious choice.

When I first heard he was playing Jack, I was like, “Wait, what?” But in a weird way it works perfectly and makes total sense that the smart guy from The Office is Jack Ryan.

What was it like growing up in Chicago?

We lived a mile north of Cook County Jail. Not the greatest part of town. But I didn’t know we were poor—it was just life. We still had a great time. And my brother now works at the jail.

You’ve been married for 15 years. Is there a secret to that success?

You have to give who you’re with the freedom to be their own person. But really, I don’t know any secret. I think you just don’t take anything for granted, and you never stop going on dates.

Any genius parenting moment raising a teenage son you’d care to share with us?

The name of the game is trying to raise someone who can be themselves. When my son was 7, he asked me, “Dad, do you think I’m lame?” It was heartbreaking, but I sat down with him and we talked. He likes animating, but he didn’t think it was cool. He thought Pixar was cool, though—and I told him, “Listen, those guys didn’t grow up being the coolest guys in their class. Sometimes the things you like are cool—but they just take time until you’re older.”

Sounds like good advice.

Well, I’m not gonna lie—I also told him high school might be a little rough.

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December 14, 2021

Corey Stoll on the Enduring Appeal of ‘The Sopranos’

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Corey Stoll, the star of Showtime’s Billions does double duty this fall as Junior Soprano in The Many Saints of Newark—the long-awaited film prequel to The Sopranos. We caught up with the actor to get the low down—but first, the basics.

  • Best foreign word? Gesamtkunstwerk.
  • Superhero crush? Psylocke.
  • Earliest memory? Getting into the beer and pickles in my parents’ rented cabin in the Adirondacks.
  • Last Amazon buy? BB-8 backpack for my son on his first day of 1st grade.

Men’s Journal: Uncle June is Uncle June. How’d you approach the prequel version of a TV icon like Junior Soprano?

Corey Stoll: I started by watching all 86 episodes of The Sopranos for the third time. I only had a couple months to do that, which I don’t recommend. It’s brilliant—and brutal. You need to take that show in manageable doses. The dialect coach also compiled all of Junior’s jokes for me, which was helpful.

You get the jokes, you get the guy.

They’re a great way to get into character. Junior’s jokes are crazy sexist and racist, but he’s got this odd rhythm and charm for such a misanthrope. I’d get those rhythms into my body, then let go and just play the scene.

The Sopranos are as unevolved as it gets. Why are they so likable?

Part of it may be that they’re such a close-knit community. So many of us are missing that. Say what you want about them, they’re super tight and it gives their lives meaning. I heard there’s been a huge resurgence of interest in The Sopranos during the pandemic.

Your latest stage roles are Macbeth and Iago. Is playing a nasty guy more fun than a navel-gazer like Hamlet?

I should probably get to Hamlet at some point. But Macbeth is hard to beat in terms of exploring all the extremes of one personality.

Is your son a Yellowjacket fan or an Ant-Man fan? Or is he playing it safe with Shazam?

He loves his Ant-Man toys but hasn’t seen the movie. He’s a little young. I’m curious to see how that goes.

Even though paternal loyalty may pose an ethical dilemma for him?

Hey, it’s fun to root for the bad guy.

Which New York do you love more, 1980s or 2020s?… Let’s say 2019.

You always look back with rose-colored glasses. Every day something else becomes an H&M or Citibank here, but now you can bike everywhere. I think change is what keeps New York so compelling—and tragic.

Who are you most known for around town? Peter Russo or is billionaire Michael Prince gaining ground?

Peter Russo still gets familiar looks. People also recognize me from The Strain and Hemingway from Midnight in Paris.

West Side Story or Sound of Music?

West Side Story. Hands down.

You’re Lt. Schrank in the filmed remake out in December. Ever think you’d be in a Steven Spielberg musical?

I thought maybe a Spielberg movie. Not a musical.

He seems nice. What’s Steve really like?

Nice. He gave me cookies. The nicest cookies I’ve ever had.

Where are you now, and where are you headed?

I’m in my basement gym in Brooklyn. I’m gonna run upstairs, take a shower, then head to the Billions set.

Is being a billionaire all it’s cracked up to be?

It is if your character’s last name is Prince. I wouldn’t do well with it. I could do $50 million. Any more is pure guilt.

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November 26, 2021

Kumail Nanjiani’s ‘Eternals’ Workout

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 3:57 pm

Kumail Nanjiani’s workout helped him pull off one of the greatest Marvel transformations of all time for Eternals. Try the muscle-building routine for yourself.

Mid-2019, Kumail Nanjiani was filming the last episode of his hit HBO comedy, Silicon Valley. The show followed a group of nerdy app creators navigating the cutthroat world of big tech. Not much changed over the course of six seasons except, by the finale, Nanjiani’s character, the insecure coder Dinesh, had become an absolute unit—his biceps suddenly bulging out of polos.

The bulk-up wasn’t the producer’s idea, nor a studio directive for Eternals (in theaters Nov. 5), in which Nanjiani plays Kingo, a cocky, cosmic-powered warrior living undercover as a Bollywood star. The only green light Nanjiani needed to get in shape was from himself.

Underground Operation

The transformation took place at Granite Gym in Beverly Hills, a dimly lit basement that Grant Roberts, the trainer behind Nanjiani’s incredible transformation, had quietly built into one of Hollywood’s most exclusive training facilities.

Even though Eternals is about a group of immortal beings with superhuman powers, Marvel was perfectly happy with Kingo being the more “normal looking” one, says Roberts. But for Nanjiani, who grew up obsessed with comic books, the gig was a massive opportunity to portray a South Asian superhero in a Marvel franchise. He wanted a physicality that could stack up to Superman or Thor.

Breaking the Mold—and Internet

Nanjiani endured punishing sessions five days a week in the year leading up to Eternals. “Instead of worrying about how to keep him lean throughout, we concentrated on adding mass before doing a proper cut.” On first analysis, Roberts says Nanjiani had solid biceps and a strong back, but, uh, some major room for improvement. “I don’t want to be insulting, but he probably had the softest core I had ever seen,” Roberts says, laughing. “I have no idea how he was even able to stand up straight!”

Roberts combined new- and old-school techniques to bulk up Nanjiani, incorporating electronic muscle stim into his free weights work and heavy foundational lifts. The warmup always started with the Power Plate, a vibrating platform that stimulates natural reflexes and jolts dormant muscle fibers to attention. The workouts targeted no more than three body parts, so each area was attacked dynamically.

After six months, Nanjiani transitioned into a sculpting phase. Michelangelo used a chisel to carve rippling six-packs, but Roberts prefers the cable machine.

To ensure symmetry, Roberts had Nanjiani snap shirtless selfies every few weeks to assess progress. Once on set, Marvel had a chef prep Nanjiani’s meals and Roberts trained him virtually to preserve his hard-earned gains.

“People have this mistaken idea that once you get to a certain place physically, you can just coast,” says Roberts. “But it’s a lot of effort and sacrifice to maintain a physique like that.” As far as sacrifice goes, the biggest one for Nanjiani was cutting down on his favorite bakery items.

With Eternals in the can, he can get back to having a treat or two, but don’t expect him to slip back into his old ways. “I’ve seen a lot of actors go on this journey and lose their drive, but it’s different with him. We still train every week. I’m very proud of what he’s accomplished, and I think this is just the start.”

Kumail Nanjiani’s ‘Eternals’ Workout

Directions

This is Kumail Nanjiani’s sculpting workout. In some cases drop sets are utilized, where the rep count decreases and weight increases to promote hypertrophy. Complete prescribed sets for each move, taking 45 seconds rest between.

Decline Cable Chest Press
Decline Cable Chest Press Marius Bugge

1. Decline Cable Chest Press

Sets 1-2 (light weight): 20 reps
Set 3 (medium weight): 15 reps
Sets 4-5 (max weight): 10 reps

Adjust a bench 15 degrees to the decline position in the middle of a cable machine with handle attachments to the lowest setting on either side. Grasp handles, then lie back and bend arms wide with palms facing out. Press arms up, squeezing pecs at top, then lower (you’ll feel a stretch).

Incline Cable Flye to Chest Press
Incline Cable Flye to Chest Press Marius Bugge

2. Incline Cable Flye to Chest Press

Sets 1-2: 12 flyes/8 presses
Sets 3-4: 10 flyes/6 presses
Sets 5-6: 8 flyes/4 presses
Adjust a bench 45 degrees to the incline position in the middle of a cable machine with handle attachments to the lowest set- ting on either side. Grasp handles, then sit with arms extended, slight bend in elbows, palms facing each other. Contract pecs to bring hands together. Squeeze at the top, then slowly lower. Perform prescribed reps then change hand position to a wide incline cable chest press.

Single-arm Crossbody Cable Flye
Single-arm Crossbody Cable Flye Marius Bugge

3. Single-arm Crossbody Cable Flye 4 x 15 reps

Set a handle attachment just below chest level on a cable machine. Stand away in a staggered stance. If right foot is forward, grasp the handle with your left hand using a neutral grip. Place right hand on pec to feel the activation. Brace core and keep shoulders square. Begin the move from a pec stretch position. Perform a wide, sweeping cross-body flye—extending beyond your midline. Move slowly with a concentric hold on each rep.

Dumbbell Pullover
Dumbbell Pullover Marius Bugge

4. Dumbbell Pullover 3 x 12 reps

Lie faceup on a bench, feet flat on the floor, holding a heavy dumbbell, arms straight overhead. Bend elbows and engage triceps to bring dumbbell just behind head. Up the intensity by extending elbows to perform a triceps extension, then reverse.

Triceps Extension and Triceps Kickback
Triceps Extension and Triceps Kickback Marius Bugge

5. Triceps Giant Triset x 3 sets

Attach a straight bar to one side of a cable crossover machine and two handles on one clip on the other, both at the top setting. Start with the straight bar, using heavy weight. Hold the bar at forehead height with an overhand grip, elbows bent. “Throw” the weight down using momentum to complete triceps extension x 12 reps. Move to the other side, grasp the handles with an underhand grip, hinge at hips, then extend through triceps to do reverse drag triceps kickbacks x 12 reps. Turn hands over into an overhand grip to perform triceps pushdowns x 8 reps.

Partial-rep Biceps Curl
Partial-rep Biceps Curl Marius Bugge

6. Biceps Giant Triset x 3 sets

Attach a straight bar low on cable machine and grasp with an underhand grip. Begin in the midway point of a biceps curl, arms bent at 90 degrees, and do partial-rep biceps curl x 7 reps, from bottom to halfway, then immediately transition to drag curl x 7 reps by stepping toward the machine, extending arms, and dragging the bar up your torso by pulling your elbows back (don’t shrug). Stop at chest height once elbows are fully bent. Immediately transition to full biceps curl x 7 reps, taking a step back to resume initial start position.

Rope Cable Preacher Curl
Rope Cable Preacher Curl Marius Bugge

7. Rope Cable Preacher Curl 4 x 15 reps

Attach a triceps rope low on a cable machine. Grasp the ends in either hand and sit at preacher bench with elbows and upper arms firmly planted on the pad. Begin with arms fully extended, then curl the triceps rope toward your face until fully flexed with hands at each temple. Hold contraction for a full second.

Lying Cable Peak Curl
Lying Cable Peak Curl Marius Bugge

8. Lying Cable Peak Curl 2 x 25 reps

Attach an EZ bar to shoulder height on a cable machine and place a flat bench under the bar. Using a narrow grip, perform a slow curl to forehead, holding each rep fully flexed for 3 seconds.

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October 8, 2021

Best Bonds of All Time, Ranked

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , — admin @ 6:32 pm

It’s one of the most iconic roles in film history: The name’s Bond, James Bond. Only a select group of actors have had the chance to play the character, with Daniel Craig about to finish his run with the long-anticipated No Time to Die. Before him, five other actors have “officially” played Bond: Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, Timothy Dalton, and Pierce Brosnan. With the question still very much in the air about who will play Bond after Craig hangs up his tuxedo—perhaps one of these actors?—here’s a look back at the best bonds of all time, ranked.

Best Bonds of All Time, Ranked

David Niven in 1967 'Casino Royale'
David Niven in 1967 ‘Casino Royale’ Silver Screen Collection / Getty Images

7. David Niven

It’s probably not even fair to compare David Niven (and Peter Sellers) to the rest of the best Bonds, as the two actors played the role for laughs in 1967’s Casino Royale, but the film remains a notable part—even if not an official part—of James Bond history. Based on the same book that would later launch Daniel Craig to superstardom in his 2006 Bond debut, the film is a parody of spy films of the era, including the Sean Connery-led Bond films. The entire cast was filled with stars: Niven had already won an Oscar for Best Actor and Sellers was considered one of the most popular comic actors in the world. Other Hollywood legends like John Huston, George Raft, William Holden, Peter O’Toole, and Orson Welles all appeared, with Welles playing the villain Le Chiffre. The movie went very meta in making fun of the Bond films, even bringing in original Bond girl Ursula Andress from Dr. No to play Vesper Lynd. Both Sellers and Nevin take on the mantle of Bond in the movie—and while the tone is obviously completely different from any other Bond flick before or after, seeing each in a tuxedo taking on the villainous organization “SMERSH” (a thinly disguised joke on Bond’s Spectre), makes one wonder if either of the talented stars could have actually pulled off a “real” James Bond film.

Number of appearances: 1

Bond film: Casino Royale (1967)

Fun fact: James Bond creator Ian Fleming originally wanted Niven to play Bond in Dr. No, but the producers went with Sean Connery instead.

Portrait of Timothy Dalton as James Bond in 'The Living Daylights'
Timothy Dalton as James Bond in ‘The Living Daylights’ Moviestore/Shutterstock

6. Timothy Dalton

Timothy Dalton stepped in with a pretty big challenge, coming after Sean Connery and Roger Moore, among the best Bonds, who each played the role for over a decade. The filmmakers of Dalton’s two Bond movies wanted to show a different side of the character, one that was more in line with Ian Fleming’s book version of Bond, rather than the playboy-type most fans were used to seeing. The result was a performance more in line with what Daniel Craig would end up doing later—a serious, business-like Bond who battled against KGB agents and drug cartels rather than flamboyant villains. Dalton only had two movies to make his mark—lawsuits ended up derailing his chance at making another movie before Pierce Brosnan was handed the reins—so it’s hard to compare with the best Bonds of the bunch. That said, both films are solid and 1989’s License to Kill might be one of the best Bond titles of the series.

Number of appearances: 2

Bond films: The Living Daylights (1987) and License to Kill (1989)

Fun fact: The Bond series hadn’t used an Aston Martin since 1969’s On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, but the company made a return to the franchise with The Living Daylights, and they’ve been used in every Bond film since.

Aston Martin car used: Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante

George Lazenby in 'On Her Majesty's Secret Service'
George Lazenby in ‘On Her Majesty’s Secret Service’ Robert Dear/AP/Shutterstock

5. George Lazenby

George Lazenby has the inglorious milestone of being the only official James Bond actor to star in just one film in the series, taking over for Sean Connery in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. The film has one of the darkest and bleakest endings of any Bond film—spoiler alert: after marrying “Bond girl” Tracy, the couple are attacked by iconic Bond villain Blofeld, leaving Tracy dead and Bond holding her in his arms. Like we said, bleak. In part due to that dark ending, the film was not well-received at the time, but over the years both the film and Lazenby’s performance have been re-assessed by critics and fans alike as one of the better entries in the series. Academy Award-winning director Steven Soderbergh calls it his favorite Bond film, while a 2012 poll from 007 Magazine saw fans vote it as the greatest of the series. Lazenby bowed out of the franchise after just one film, allowing Connery to return on what was a then-record salary of $1.25 million. While he was short-lived as Bond, Lazenby went on to have a lengthy film and television career—which is still ongoing—and he remains active on Instagram, frequently posting about the Bond series and his time filming his one movie.

Number of appearances: 1

Bond film: On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969)

Fun fact: Lazenby’s role as Bond was his first-ever film appearance. He had been a model and starred in commercials before being cast in the role.

Aston Martin car used: Aston Martin DBS

Maud Adams, Roger Moore, and Britt Ekland in 'The Man with the Golden Gun'
Maud Adams, Roger Moore, and Britt Ekland in ‘The Man with the Golden Gun’ Courtesy Everett Collection

4. Roger Moore

Of all the best Bonds, Roger Moore’s portrayal might be the most representative of the era his films were made in (the 70s)—and he reflected that with his dashing charm and over-the-top persona, bringing comedy to the series that contrasted Connery’s gruff-but-suave Bond. Moore’s Bond was less serious and way wittier, but he also took the character to new heights. Moonraker saw Bond battle villains in space, including Richard Kiel’s memorable henchman Jaws. Moore was already a bit of an established name before taking on the role of the superspy, having starred in television series like The Saint and Maverick, but Bond brought him worldwide stardom and he stayed in the role for over 10 years and seven films—the longest consecutive James Bond until Daniel Craig.

Number of appearances: 7

Bond films: Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), The Spy Who Loved Me (1977), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), A View to a Kill (1985)

Fun fact: Moore was the oldest actor to portray Bond, as he was 57 years old when his final film, A View to a Kill, was released in 1985.

Pierce Brosnan in ' Goldeneye'
Pierce Brosnan in ‘ Goldeneye’ Moviestore/Shutterstock

3. Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan did a solid job as Bond, with GoldenEye as his best entry of the series—a movie that spawned one of the best video games of all time. While Brosnan’s turn as the iconic spy doesn’t quite reach the level of best Bonds like Daniel Craig or Sean Connery, he helped bring the franchise back to worldwide prominence after Timothy Dalton’s turn left some fans cold. The six-year break between movies was a long one for Bond, and that put pressure on Brosnan to deliver a performance that would get fans jazzed again. On that level, he certainly delivered. Brosnan’s Bond brought back more of the flamboyant villains, secret lairs, and wild gadgets to the series after Dalton’s more serious-tinged films, for better and worse. The action scenes are incredible throughout the series, but the gadgets and storylines often veered into the ridiculous (like invisible cars and DNA restructuring), and some of the dialogue was cheesy. In the end though, Brosnan helped bring the franchise back to life and formed the bridge that led the Bond series from its traditional roots into the big-budget blockbusters of modern Hollywood.

Number of appearances: 4

Bond films: GoldenEye (1995), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), Die Another Day (2002),

Fun fact: Brosnan was hired to play Bond before Timothy Dalton was brought in, but was forced to return to his series Remington Steele instead. The show had been canceled, but when NBC decided to bring the show back, Brosnan was obligated to return and he had to give up the role. Clearly it all worked out in the end.

Aston Martin cars used: Aston Martin V12 Vanquish, Aston Martin DB5

Daniel Craig in 'Skyfall'
Daniel Craig in ‘Skyfall’ Danjaq/Eon Productions/Kobal/Shutterstock

2. Daniel Craig

After starring in five films, Craig has firmly established himself as one of the best Bonds ever—maybe even the best of the bunch. Craig’s portrayal brought the character to contemporary times, creating a more realistic, gritty version of the spy following Pierce Brosnan’s more polished take. When he was first cast, fans signed petitions against him, complaining he was too blonde and not tall enough to play Bond, but once Casino Royale hit theaters, people quickly changed their tune. The film opened with Bond earning his “00” designation, allowing Craig to show Bond work his way up to becoming the expert spy we all know and love. Craig’s Bond took punches, got bruised, sometimes failed, and fought hard, crafting some of the best action scenes of any blockbuster movie to date. Craig has the distinction of giving Bond its first billion-dollar film with Skyfall, the Sam Mendes-directed movie that many critics saw as a modern high-point for the series. The five Academy Award nominations, including the major category of Best Cinematography, and two wins only bolsters that point. One thing that helps Craig’s Bond stand out among the actors who came before him is the through line of his first relationship: his tragic love for Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) in Casino Royale. While Craig’s Bond had his fair share of beautiful women along the way, it’s Lynd he kept coming back to, even into No Time to Die. Brooding over Vesper’s death gave Craig a chance to give Bond some added depth and humanity, and is one reason why fans have become so invested in his version of the character.

Number of appearances: 5

Bond films: Casino Royale (2006), Quantum of Solace (2008), Skyfall (2012), Spectre (2015), No Time to Die (2021)

Fun fact: Craig beat out actors like Henry Cavill (yes, that Henry Cavill), Sam Worthington, Goran Visnjic and Dougray Scott for the role of Bond.

Aston Martin Cars used as Bond: Aston Martin DB5, Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante, Aston Martin DBS V12, Aston Martin DB10, Aston Martin DBS Superleggera, Aston Martin Valhalla

Sean Connery on set of 'You Only Live Twice'
Sean Connery on set of ‘You Only Live Twice’ Eon/Ua/Kobal/Shutterstock

1. Sean Connery

When it comes down to naming the best Bonds, it’s hard to beat the original. Connery starred as Bond in six “official” movies and once in the non-Eon produced Never Say Never Again. (Connery was lured back to play Bond for that seventh and final time in the 1983 adaptation with a massive payday even though Roger Moore was also starring as the iconic spy at the time.) Many of Connery’s films are considered some of the most memorable of the series, including Dr. No, Diamonds Are Forever, From Russia With Love, and Goldfinger, which was the first Bond movie to make over $100 million at the box office. Connery’s Bond established basically all the elements that would pop up in the series through the decades, including the slick wardrobe, suave demeanor, his taste for martinis, fancy cars, and high-tech gadgets. But more than that, Connery brought the perfect combination of charm, toughness, and humor to the role, something all the actors after him tried to emulate, for better and worse. It was Connery who took Bond on his shoulders and lifted him to the worldwide stage, starting a series that’s become one of the longest-running and successful in movie history.

Number of appearances: 7

Bond films: Dr. No (1962), From Russia with Love (1963), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Never Say Never Again (1983)

Fun fact: Connery wore a hairpiece when he played Bond, as he started to lose his hair around the time he got the role.

Aston Martin car used: The Aston Martin DB5

There you have it, the best Bonds of all time. Ready for a martini?

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September 9, 2021

Buckle Up: ‘The Matrix Resurrections’ Trailer Is Finally Here

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , — admin @ 5:54 pm

If you’re looking for a movie to be excited about, this may be “The One.” It’s been nearly two decades since we stepped into a universe of raining green computer code, but The Matrix Resurrections trailer plugs us right back into the Matrix.

It has been 18 years since The Matrix Revolutions was released. It was the end of the storyline for Neo, Trinity, and Morpheus, but the new trailer brings some of them back. Neo (Keanu Reeves) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) return. And while Laurence Fishburne says he didn’t get an invite back, there’s been speculation that Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (Candyman, Aquaman) will be stepping into the Morpheus role.

Jacking back into a universe like no other

“Am I crazy?” asks Thomas Anderson (Keanu Reeves) at the beginning of the trailer.

“We don’t use that word in here,” replies an unknown character played by Neil Patrick Harris.

Set to the Jefferson Airplane’s “White Rabbit” (“One pill makes you larger and one pill makes you small…”), the trailer reintroduces some memorable Matrix imagery including black cats, what-should-be-impossible fights, and shape-shifting agents. And if there were any questions about where we are, there’s an answer at the end of the trailer: “After all these years, to be going back to where it all started…back to the Matrix,” says a character played by Jonathan Groff (Hamilton).

There was already a teaser site offering brief glimpses of what you could expect to see. Whether you choose (meaning click) the red pill or the blue pill, you get different teasers for the movie. According to Entertainment Weekly, there are 180,000 variations of the teasers. No matter how many times you watch, there’s not a great chance you’ll see everything.

The Matrix Resurrections is directed by Lana Wachowski, who co-directed and co-wrote the first three Matrix installments with her sister Lilly Wachowski. The film is coming to theaters and HBO Max on December 22, 2021.

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August 27, 2021

‘The Umbrella Academy’ Star Tom Hopper on Winning Hollywood’s Self-Image War

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 9:56 pm

Tom Hopper has made a career out of being the built British bruiser. Towering at 6’5” over his onscreen colleagues in Black Sails, Game of Thrones, and The Umbrella Academy, the former rugby player is a rare breed in Hollywood. A studied dramatic actor, he’s found himself one of the new go-to gents in the action world.

“Growing up in that team sports environment, I really respond to a challenge,” says Hopper, over Zoom while on set in Vancouver.

So when the challenge is, say, be a hulking knight or an elite SAS soldier, Hopper trains like he’s going to war. Doing that for a decade has been a unique learning experience for the rising star. Not just physically, but also mentally in dealing with expectations from himself—and everyone else.

Now Hopper is hoping to share what he’s learned with others, both on social media and through campaigns with companies he believes in—like Viome—which helps improve gut health by adjusting food habits.

Men’s Journal spoke with the actor about his bumpy road to clean eating, struggling with self-image, and exciting projects he has on the horizon.

Men’s Journal: What was your introduction to fitness?

Tom Hopper: I was a skinny boy growing up. I remember when the rugby season came around, I was playing with all these kids who were bigger than me. They were massive, and it’s the kind of sport where size really matters. I remember even at that age thinking, ‘I need to hit the weights.’ But the Internet wasn’t around like it is today, and if you wanted to get information, you had to go into actual shops to buy fitness magazines.

I actually remember emailing some random bodybuilder I found in one of the magazines to ask him if creatine would be beneficial for me when I was a teenager. That just goes to show you how desperate the measures were. I was walking around with this very specific idea of what a real man was supposed to look like, and it led me down the wrong path. I was going to the gym with a real unhealthy mindset, thinking only of aesthetics.

How did that initial mindset impact the start of your acting career?

I realized early on there’s a niche opening in the marketplace for British dudes who are super fit. At the time, the majority of those guys were coming from America. I’m 6’5” and figured if I put on some real muscle I could brand myself in the action world. I dedicated myself to that process fully like it was sports training camp. That’s really what started me on this whole fitness journey. It wasn’t long before I was auditioning for all these big movies and TV shows.

Were there high expectations regarding your fitness for a role?

The biggest turning point in my career way when I got Black Sails. The movie 300 had just come out and there was all this hype around how jacked everyone was in Zach Snyder’s film. It was definitely a moment in the culture. So, in turn, with us playing these brutal pirates, this image was expected of us. I think there was pressure to look a certain way. Some of it was self-imposed because of what we were seeing in Hollywood. But the studio would also check in and get sent photos to make sure we were sticking with our plans. They set us all up with a personal trainer, James White, who ran the Roark gym in Cape Town, South Africa, close to set. That was the first time I felt the pressure to look a certain way for a role.

How did that affect you behind the scenes?

On the outside, and to everyone watching the show, I looked very fit and healthy. But during that time, I was feeling sluggish and found myself nodding off in the middle of the day. It was a real rollercoaster, from feeling great to completely crashing. I was wondering why I couldn’t get to where I wanted without such a struggle, and for a while I was blaming genetics. Eventually I decided I needed to take more control and really investigate why I was feeling the way I was.

There was another time we were preparing for a promo shoot for Black Sails, and we all went maybe a little too extreme with the calorie counting. I’m surprised my lovely wife stuck around to become my wife after that period because the diet made me a horrible human being. After one of the photo shoots, she bought me a special lunch to celebrate. I blew up at her because I wanted very specific “treats,” and she bought the wrong ones. She said, “Do you hear yourself?” I had to step back and really reevaluate what I was doing.

The Umbrella Academy star Tom Hopper fights an opponent with onlookers
Courtesy of Netflix

What did you begin to work on?

I learned a lot about training from James during our sessions, but where I was really struggling was my nutrition. Back in the day, nobody was talking about it the way they do now. It was just about getting a certain amount of calories, and less about where they came from. I was eating burgers with cheese and fries to put on weight. There wasn’t a lot of sense about it. I had a friend, who always felt great, who told me to just try eating clean for a while. I decided to give it everything I had.

How soon did you feel the benefits?

The difference was pretty instantaneous. It was crazy to me how much better I felt when I was consuming real food and staying away from all the processed snacks I was craving. I was addicted, and the only solution I saw was to go cold turkey. That’s when I realized how much power they had over me. Passing by those shops, I was in actual pain from walking away without buying anything.

I started to see how unnatural it was for me to be craving those sugars so intensely. They’d created a massive imbalance in my body. I was being ruled by them. That was an awakening. I decided to wean myself off it all. Not an easy task with an addictive personality, but once I turned that corner, I actually became addicted to feeling good—to not waking up with headaches and not being tired all the time for no reason. I became addicted to enjoying my workouts again.

What was the hardest snack to give up?

Haribo gummy bears. I used to walk past the shops with Toby Stephens, who played Captain Flint on Black Sails, and he’d say, “Oh mate, I need some gummies.” And I would be right there with him.

Any recent challenges on the wellness journey?

During the start of The Umbrella Academy, they wanted me to bulk up and turn myself into a bit of a monster. Then, just a few weeks before filming, they decided we were going to use this massive muscle suit. I immediately had to lean down after putting on so much mass. That led me to experiment with things like fasting and the keto diet.

I don’t think most people stick to the true principles of keto, which is checking your body constantly for whether or not you’re in ketosis. For me, it’s something I dip in and out of. I’d feel great for a few days, then start to deplete a bit. The intermittent fasting worked straight away. Even when I’m not sticking to it firmly throughout the day, I’ll practice in the morning—including on set when there’s usually a breakfast laid out and someone’s asking what you want to eat. I got into the habit of telling them I wasn’t going to need anything until the afternoon.

It was around the end of the first season when I first came across this company Viome. I read they were doing microbiome testing for your gut based on your stool. At first I was a little standoffish about the concept, but eventually reached out to them.

What was the turning point?

A friend, Bobby Maximus, had used them to fix a serious stomach issue he was having. They helped him find out what foods had a negative impact on his system and basically healed his gut—with food. That got me curious.

Not only was I researching ways to improve my own health, but also for my son Freddie, who’s autistic. What I learned is that bad gut health can make the symptoms of autism more severe. At the time, my wife and I were going through quite a tough time with Freddie, and we were looking for anything to make our lives easier. So we decided to do the microbiome tests together as a family, and when we received the results we committed to following them.

I liked how simple they break down foods that are helpful, foods that are fine, and foods that are like poison to your body. I was surprised to find that bananas were a food Freddie was supposed to avoid, yet it was a superfood for me. So when I was having one I’d naturally just share it with him—with no idea it was affecting him differently and causing these problems in his gut. We noticed an immediate improvement in his behavior. It was really quite shocking how quickly things changed, from his mood to sleep patterns.

How about your dietary shift? Were you feeling the benefits too?

I definitely started to see similar effects for myself. Beforehand, I’d spent a lot of energy avoiding carbs. But once I learned some of them were on my superfood list, I realized I’d been depriving myself of some positive nutrition. I was eating carbs and looking and feeling better than I ever had. I also learned to enjoy real food—because once you lose that addiction to sugars and additives, you start to really be able to taste stuff again.

The gut is constantly evolving. So when you take the test six months or a year later, you’ll see how much things can change. Sometimes foods that were on your avoid list are now fine for you to enjoy again because a specific issue has been resolved. What I’ve learned is that it’s all about making positive shifts and adapting your eating habits when necessary. I went into Season 2 feeling like a new man.

And mentally?

Absolutely. I know a lot of people are struggling with mental health, especially after the year we’ve had. We all know the obvious things that can help, like exercise. But I don’t think people talk enough about how the wrong foods can make things worse. How, for example, the vagus nerve—which connects your gut to your brain—isn’t just a one-way street. People used to think if you were feeling bad it would manifest itself in how your stomach felt. Now we know this nerve is more like a highway. An upset gut can have a negative effect on our mental health as well.

How do you deal with all the attention paid to your appearance?

I’ve struggled a lot with body dysmorphia. No matter who you are, there’s this image in your head of what you think you should look like as opposed to what you see in the mirror. For me, the way out is being content with the best version of me and pursuing it fully—and not some guy on a movie poster.

I know if I put up an Instagram post where I’m shirtless, there will be toxic comments that aren’t productive. I’ve gotten better about “posting and ghosting” these days, where I’m not really reading any of it. That time is better spent elsewhere.

What drives you to be so open on social media about your training and other wellness pursuits?

I understand I’m one of those guys who’s been branded to look a certain way. But I also want to be able to say how easy and fun the journey can be—and that so much can be done by implementing very simple lifestyle changes. People ask me all the time how I have the discipline to stay in shape. How can I enjoy life while being so restricted? I’m actually having fun with every part of the process—and enjoying every bite of real food I’m tasting.

Have there been any adjustments in your training for upcoming projects—including Season 3 of The Umbrella Academy and the Resident Evil reboot.

I always like to keep the training fresh, so I’m constantly changing the kind of movements I do. I’ll pull new programs on social media from people like Marcus Filly, my friend Bobby Maximus, and Ben Patrick. I like people who do something different and go against the status quo, especially when it works. I’m working out consistently, so when it comes to putting on mass—like for Resident Evil—it just means eating more of those good foods I’m already on. I think people are really going to enjoy the reboot, especially fans of the game.

Going into The Umbrella Academy, I had a shoulder injury which occurred while doing a pretty standard lift. It was just one of those silly things when the weight just doesn’t move right. I did stem cells and PRP, which helped heal it up nicely, and I adapted my training to put less stress on it without sacrificing what I’d built so far. That was difficult, especially because of how taxing the muscle suit can be on my arms, but I was able to make it work. This is my favorite season we’ve done so far.

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July 19, 2021

Jason Momoa’s Harley-Davidson Collection Is a Marvel

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , , , , , — admin @ 10:51 pm

Jason Momoa. To know him is to love him—and his obsession with vintage Harley-Davidson choppers. The actor has a penchant for all things that go vroom (as evidenced by his Instagram). “I hoard everything when it comes to bikes and trucks and cars,” he says in his July/August cover story.

While touring his temporary Toronto digs, and later feasting on tomahawk rib-eyes, Momoa waxed poetic on Harley-Davidson. He’s got ’36, ’37, and ’39 knuckleheads parked on the grounds. “Those are just my choppers. My other bikes are on the way here,” he admits. “I love them all—knuckles, pans, shovels. They’re all different, they all sound great, and they’re all fucking awesome.”

His infatuation isn’t singular. Momoa’s a “gas and oil guy,” he admits, while sharing a photo of an antique Land Rover he just locked down by trading for two bikes from his collection.

But there’s something to be said about the guttural sound “when you kickstart the bike and the motor growls right back at you,” he says. We agree, but times are changing and Momoa, who regularly steamrolls A-list buddies for posing with plastic single-use water bottles, is all about making choices that benefit the planet. Naturally, he’s edging into electric.

“A lot of my trucks have been converted into e-vehicles,” he says. “I run solar power, and I love Harley’s electric LiveWire. You twist the throttle and jump to 100 miles an hour in three or four seconds. It’s a whole different sport, and there ain’t nothin’ about it except—bravo!”

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June 4, 2021

How Omari Hardwick Became Vanderohe for ‘Army of the Dead’

Filed under: Fitness — Tags: , — admin @ 9:40 pm

Omari Hardwick was unsurprisingly stoked when his team handed him pages for a new screenplay from Zack Snyder. The innovative director was setting up an original action-packed heist movie called Army of the Dead that involved zombies taking over Las Vegas, and wanted Hardwick for the role of Vanderohe. The only catch was his character didn’t have a line of dialogue in the script.


 

“I was a little confused, but once I got on the phone with Zack, he explained it all to me,” Hardwick tells Men’s Journal. During that conversation, he learned his castmate Dave Bautista was originally meant to play Vanderohe, but was written into the role of Scott Ward, who acts as leader of the motley crew, instead. “But what he did assure me was he was going to be a character I didn’t want to stop playing.”

The re-write also gave Hardwick an opportunity to help formulate the identity of a chainsaw-wielding, zombie-killing philosopher. We spoke with the actor about creating his character from the ground up, hanging with the cast in New Mexico, and putting on 20 pounds of muscle.

How Omari Hardwick Became Vanderohe for ‘Army of the Dead’

Men’s Journal: The release of this movie has been massive, but in a different context than most blockbusters. What’s the experience been like?


Omari Hardwick: The reception has been very humbling. A lot of people have been reaching out—childhood friends, great directors, producers, even Shaquille O’Neal. I probably feel how Gerard Butler felt during 300 as far as production and working with Zack [Snyder] goes. Going into the roll out of this movie, I’ve thought about my colleagues like Chadwick [Boseman], Michael B. Jordan, and John David Washington. It’s a funny moment for me because unlike those guys, my movies are coming out at a strange time and I’m not able to celebrate in front of Grauman’s Chinese Theater. Sure, we don’t have a gangbuster rollout, but the movie itself is going to be that gangbuster. I think it’s kind of nice that in some ways this release will be a little more intimate. This is not an introduction of Omari Hardwick, but it’s definitely a reintroduction. There’s a large part of my fanbase who would like to see me play Ghost for the rest of my career, but I think these movies have made it clear to them I’m spreading my wings and I have a lot of tricks in my bag.

What were your initial thoughts on how Zack put this movie together and the world he created?

Sports have been such a foundational place for me, and because of that I always think of the team above the “I’. In regards to Army of the Dead, it really works because there’s such a large team, such an amazing ensemble. Zack did such a great job of making each person their own individual character. He gave nuances and traits that were unique just to them. That was very special. So from a production and storyline perspective, going into this project I knew it was very special. The way Zack told this story is so beautiful. The zombies are kind of the backdrop. At the forefront of the movie are these broken characters who are not only in search of money but in search of themselves. That’s even so for Zeus, the alpha zombie played by Richard Cetrone. Leave it to Zack to create such a world.

Do you remember where you were when you first read the script?

I was on vacation in South Florida at the time, and it was Mother’s Day. My agent told me he really wanted me to take a look at something. He told me Zack Snyder was at the helm. You know he had me at “Zack Snyder.” [My wife] Jae told me to go for it. She comes from the world of producers, so she knows what it means when someone says a script needs to be read. But there’s not one trace of my character in the script at all. I mean I’m at page 75 thinking, I guess he comes in a little later.

Since there wasn’t much on the page at the time, how did Snyder explain Vanderohe to you?

Snyder said Vanderohe was simply someone I’d never want to let go of—that once I played this guy, I was going to want to hold onto him. Does that mean a sequel? I don’t know. All I know is he was right.

That chainsaw is pretty epic. What was it like holding it?

I got to set a few months after that conversation, and I realized the chainsaw was part of the call sheet. I felt like it was a cast member. I think it will be implanted permanently into the minds of not just zombie geeks, but everyone else. You’re not going to forget that chainsaw.

Speaking of call sheets, what was it like working with this cast?

Connecting with Bautista, it was like two athletes talking about their lives with sports. He shared with me that he didn’t come up with the foundation I had, having played football as a kid. He said he came into being comfortable with his body and using it properly later in life. Even though he was this huge figure in the wrestling world, he didn’t feel truly comfortable until now. I saw the vulnerability that came with that, and also respected his ability to get open with a guy he just met. I realized that is why he’s so appealing on screen, because of those qualities.

It was interesting to go from working with Theo [Rossi] on American Skin to doing this movie right after. Theo and I kept talking about our futures and what it looked like. It was interesting getting to have that kind of conversation even though we’ve known each other for a while. I respected the maturity and class of Garrett Dillahunt. He was that cast member that really made me feel anchored. He just has that. I don’t know exactly what it is, but he just has it.

And of course I loved getting to know all of the amazing women. I knew Ana [de la Reguera] previously from Power, but it was great getting to meet Ella, Nora, and Huma, who unfortunately I didn’t get any scenes with. But Zack really put together a crew I enjoyed getting to know, and not sure if we would have been brought together in another circumstance.

Coming from a sports background, did that factor into how you prepared for the role?

I gained 20 pounds for the role. I think I may have done myself a disservice, because now people are asking if I’m okay because I did it like that. Now I’m back to my playing weight. I like that people are starting to know me for building characters from the inside out. But for the first time, I also focused deeply on that external element for Vanderohe, and made the decision that this guy needs to be a lot bigger.

Some of that was so Dave Bautista didn’t feel like an odd man out, because he’s such a large guy. I knew I could get my arms big, because they never really go anywhere. My arms tend to stay big, but I just needed to get everything else big. I communicated with Phil Heath, seven-time Mr. Olympia, about how to put on the size. I told him I didn’t want to take any supplements. I wasn’t interested in that method. He just told me I had to eat like crazy, and that it wasn’t going to be comfortable. I used him as a director for that element of my life, as much as Zack Snyder was directing me in the movie. He would give his blessing as long as I was eating the volume of food I needed to and getting in the proper caloric intake.

I was eating so much red meat to enhance my natural creatine. He also had me decrease the cardio. Since the temperature was over 100 degrees in New Mexico, that was going to help. He told me to keep walking on the treadmill instead of sprinting. I got to where I wanted to be in just about 20 days.

Did that training happen on set too?

Definitely. There were incredible military guys and special operations crew that came with Zack and were there to make sure we were doing things properly during those gun fight scenes, as far as entering a room, clearing the room, and exiting. That was good exercise and movement to be learning. Between that work I would do pushups with the heavy chainsaw on my back. Everyone was helping me out. Matthias was bringing me food. Nora was telling me it was time to eat. Ella was doing the same. But that’s what it takes to achieve goals like that.

Army of the Dead is now available on Netflix

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