Bill Skarsgård underwent a rigorous diet and exercise routine to achieve the chiseled physique required for his role in "The Crow", a remake of the 1994 film originally starring Brandon Lee.
The 34-year-old actor recently discussed his physical transformation with "Variety", detailing the commitment needed for his portrayal of Eric, a man resurrected to avenge his murder and that of his fiancée, as depicted in the graphic novel series by James O'Barr, first published in 1989.
Skarsgård shared that he had been training for some time before filming began, gradually increasing his muscle mass without becoming overly bulky. "It was a fine balance because they wanted the Crow to be ripped, but Eric, the character, shouldn't be," Skarsgård explained. "I felt the character shouldn't be too thin either, but we couldn't stretch it out over six months like in "Raging Bull". So, we focused on weight training and a high-protein diet."
Director Rupert Sanders praised Skarsgård's dedication, noting how involved he was in maintaining his diet and fitness regimen. "I would take Bill out to dinner and just order for him because I knew what he was eating," Sanders said. "It was mainly steak tartare and raw eggs. He spent a lot of time in the gym, ate very healthily, and made us all feel guilty when we were indulging in burgers and hot dogs while working late into the Czech summer."
Sanders also highlighted Skarsgård's ability to perform much of the film's complex stunt work due to his intense physical preparation. "He’s an incredibly physical actor, and his physique in the film is amazing," Sanders said. "When he's in character, he’s a force of destruction, but he also brings moments of softness and empathy, which adds emotional depth to the action scenes. That's why I think audiences are connecting with them—they're not just about violence; you truly feel the character's presence."
Despite the demanding diet, Skarsgård didn't find it too difficult to stick to. "I really enjoyed what I was eating, so I didn’t feel the need to cheat," he said. "I avoided sugar, but I’m not much of a sweets person anyway. My biggest indulgence was probably an alcoholic beer, which I had to celebrate after we wrapped filming."
The Quran - Chapter Al-Qalam : 07
Surely your Lord ˹alone˺ knows best who has strayed from His Way and who is ˹rightly˺ guided.
