Imagine dedicating nearly half a day just to get into character before even stepping foot on set—does that sound like a grueling ordeal or a transformative blessing? Jacob Elordi shares his surprising take on the epic 11-hour makeup process for his role in 'Frankenstein,' revealing why he considers it ideal for embodying the monster. But here's where it gets intriguing: could this extreme preparation be the secret weapon for actors seeking deeper immersion, or is it just an outdated Hollywood tradition?
During a lively chat on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' last Friday, Elordi opened up about the behind-the-scenes marathon that occurred before he could film a single scene in character. Far from complaining, he embraced the lengthy transformation as a golden opportunity for true method acting.
'In a way, it turned out to be precisely the right duration,' he remarked with enthusiasm. 'On set, you're rarely afforded that kind of uninterrupted window to dive deep into a role's essence.'
He elaborated, noting how it allowed him to shed his everyday persona and fully adopt the creature's identity. 'It gave me that precious space to push aside the distractions of daily life and morph into this entirely different being—fingers crossed, it pays off on screen!'
The conversation then shifted to his distinctive gait in the film, a movement style he crafted specifically for the character. Elordi described drawing inspiration from a common sensation: 'I pondered what it feels like when your foot has fallen asleep after being pinned down too long, and it stubbornly ignores your commands. How might an unfamiliar limb react on someone else's body?' To refine this, he collaborated with a Butoh instructor—a form of Japanese dance theater known for its haunting, slow-motion expressions often exploring themes of darkness, death, and the human condition. For those new to it, Butoh is like a meditative performance art that stretches beyond typical dance, incorporating exaggerated poses and emotional depth to convey inner turmoil. This training helped Elordi infuse his portrayal with a sense of eerie, unnatural motion that feels both powerful and unsettling.
Now, this is the part most people miss: while some might argue that such extensive prep is excessive and could hinder an actor's stamina or creativity, Elordi sees it as a deliberate choice for authenticity. But is 11 hours of makeup really the 'perfect' amount, or could modern techniques like CGI shortcuts achieve similar results with less physical toll? What do you think—does this level of dedication elevate performances, or does it border on unnecessary indulgence? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree with Elordi or have a different take on method acting extremes!
Don't forget to catch the full interview with Jacob Elordi in the video above for more insights into his creative process.
