Orlando Bloom opens up about his exhausting weight-loss transformation for boxing role in The Cut: 'I was a horrible person to be around'

Orlando Bloom, best known as Legolas in The Lord of the Rings, has revealed the shocking physical and mental impact of losing weight for his latest film role. Appearing on ITV’s This Morning, the 47-year-old actor described the drastic measures he took to play a boxer in the upcoming thriller The Cut — and why he “wouldn’t recommend” them to anyone.

Unlike bulking up for action hero parts, Bloom’s preparation required dropping pounds to mirror the punishing world of boxing weight classes. “Cutting weight is what we focus on, and that’s really the fight,” Bloom explained in the interview, calling the process a battle of both body and mind. He credited his nutritionist but admitted the intense diet stripped away his energy and spirit.

From Three Meals to Tuna and Cucumber
Bloom detailed how his regimen began with reducing meals from three, to two, to just one per day, while also eliminating protein supplements. In the final weeks before filming, he was surviving mainly on tuna and cucumber. “I was just exhausted mentally, physically, and I was hangry. I was a horrible person to be around,” he admitted.

Mental Strain and Paranoia
The physical strain was accompanied by a darker psychological side. Bloom confessed he experienced paranoia, intrusive thoughts, and constant fatigue. “We’re supposed to eat and sleep and take care of ourselves,” he said, acknowledging how far he had to push himself for the role. Speaking separately to People magazine, he added, “Turns out you can’t sleep when you’re hungry!”

While Bloom’s transformation was temporary, he expressed awe for professional fighters who endure such routines regularly to stay competitive. For him, it was a short-term sacrifice for the sake of authenticity on screen. “It was definitely not something to take lightly,” he said.

Bloom, who rose to fame as Legolas in Peter Jackson’s fantasy epic and as Will Turner in Pirates of the Caribbean, has a history of immersing himself in physically demanding roles. But his latest comments highlight the hidden dangers of extreme transformations, a reminder that what looks convincing on screen can exact a heavy toll behind the scenes.