Conclave star Ralph Fiennes has wowed fans after showing off his muscular new look in a series of topless gym photos.
The actor, 62, is best known for playing no-nosed villain Lord Voldemort in the Harry Potter franchise, and his more serious work on The Menu and Schindler’s List.
However, Ralph has undergone quite the physical transformation for his new film The Return – in which he will play Greek hero Odysseus.
Directed by Uberto Pasolini, the film follows Odysseus as he returns home to his wife Penelope (Juliette Binoche) after being lost at sea for 20 years… an odyssey, if you will.
Playing war hero and sailor Odysseus, Ralph took to the gym to give himself a warrior’s physique – forsaking bread and sweets as he molded the muscle.
‘I wanted it to be believable as a man who’s fought and sailed and swum and has not eaten very much,’ he revealed at a private screening and Q&A this week.
‘Thanks to a wonderful trainer, Dan – we were side by side in getting me into the shape you see. But it was a lot of Dan’s knowledge of diet and training. He was very, very precise!’ The Daily Mail reported Ralph as saying.
Working with trainer Dan Avasilcai, Ralph spent two and a half months in the gym preparing for the role, cutting out alcohol and a variety of foods, while changing his diet to one of protein-rich meals, carbohydrates and vegetables.
‘In this version we leant into the beggar: the man who arrives emaciated and starved and also internally emaciated,’ he continued.
‘That interior evisceration – his sense of self has been smashed. And that was something it offered, which I loved.’
Sharing a glimpse of his transformation on X with an accompanying muscle-armed emoji (💪🏻), Ralph shocked fans, many of whom struggled to believe their eyes.
‘Golly, is that you? Well done!’ remarked hilltopjennifer.
‘Was not expecting a Ralph Fiennes thirsty shirtless this morning but am fine with it and impressed. Shredded,’ commented RonYamauchi.
‘Bro looks phenomenal. No matter what, you have to put in a lot of work and dedication for these results,’ said LeebertBairdian.
And, as the name ‘Swoledemort’ began to do the rounds again, others chimed in with their own observations on the newly-musclebound actor’s appearance.
‘Harry Potter and the chamber of GAINZ,’ commented AntoniusP11.
‘Ralph Fitness,’ joked jhectorcabo1.
Ralph’s transformation comes months after he lost out to Adrien Brody in the war for Best Actor at this year’s Academy Awards.
Nominated for his part in Conclave, Ralph had been hotly tipped to take home the Oscar – but was pipped to the post by Brutalist star Adrien.
It was at an Oscars’ afterparty where rumours began to fly that he might be dating comedian Chelsea Handler, after they were snapped leaving together, arm in arm.
Neither party have confirmed that they are dating, but Chelsea did joke about her attraction while onstage at a Critics’ Choice Awards ceremony.
The comedian joked: ‘You’ve played a ruthless nazi, evil Lord Voldemort, and now a celibate Cardinal …and somehow, made me want to have sex with you in all three roles.’
The Return is set to debut in cinemas on December 6.
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