
Benedict Cumberbatch slams ‘grossly wasteful' film industry
He described the forced overeating required for his role in Marvel 's Doctor Strange film as "horrific", stating he could have fed a family with the amount of food consumed.
Cumberbatch detailed a prescribed diet of five meals and high-protein snacks, designed to maintain his physique for the role.
He extended his criticism to other wasteful practices in filmmaking, including non-recycled set builds, excessive transport, housing, and high energy consumption for lighting.
As a producer, Cumberbatch stated he is committed to promoting "green initiatives" and integrating them into production agreements.
Benedict Cumberbatch says overeating for Doctor Strange role was 'horrific'
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It's not a rest day where you lie on the sofa, it's about keeping your body moving so your joints stay happy and your recovery stays on track. 'Day 4 is back to upper body, this time with a pulling focus, so rows, lat pulldowns or assisted pull-ups, bicep curls and rear delt flys, with a core finisher like Russian twists. 'Day 5 is a full-body metabolic session with a 20–30-minute high-intensity circuit made up of kettlebell swings, push-ups, squats, dumbbell snatches and planks.' The fitness expert said: 'Most men over 50 are eating way too little protein. Aim for at least 1.6g per kg of body weight per day and cut back on processed carbs and booze to help get rid of belly fat. 'This isn't about starving yourself, it's about cleaning up your diet. You want nutrient-dense foods, not just fewer calories so incorporate lean meats, veg, whole grains and healthy fats. 'Hormones like testosterone and cortisol have a huge impact on body composition. Getting 7+ hours of quality sleep and drinking 2–3L of water daily will support fat loss and muscle recovery. 'The goal isn't to train like a 25-year-old. It's to train like a smart 50+ man who wants to look incredible, stay injury-free, and feel strong and capable. 'Sacha's physique is lean, athletic and realistic which is what makes it so aspirational. Most guys over 50 can see real changes in just three weeks with this kind of approach. You don't need to be extreme, just consistent and your body will respond fast.' Sacha underwent his superhero makeover ahead of stepping into the Marvel universe as a devilishly good-looking demon. Posing shirtless for the fitness magazine cover, the actor looked incredible as he showed off his chiselled abs and toned arms. Speaking to the publication, Sacha revealed he turned to Matthew McConaughey to get the phone number of celebrity trainer Alfonso Moretti, who has well-established reputation for transforming physiques on impossible deadlines. He joked: 'I called Matthew and asked for help. After asking who I was and how I'd gotten his number, he finally gave me Alfonso's contact'. Sacha went on to have a FaceTime meeting with Alfonso, who got him to strip down to his underwear during their first chat. Due to the short time frame and Alfonso workout methods, Sacha was tasked with being 'consistent' by doing '100 push ups a day'. But the actor's incredible transformation was far from marathon workouts and extreme dieting, as they concentrated on short workouts and a diet high in fibre and protein as well as low in sugar. He said: '25-minute workouts that were sustainable. Even while filming, the workouts happened. In the past, I would've thought you needed hour-long sessions. 'But the short sessions made it so much easier to stay consistent - even with the demands of being on set.' By the two-week mark, Sacha's wardrobe team had to spend $5,000 (£3,600) altering costumes because his body had changed so significantly. He was leaner, stronger, and fitter than ever before. His trainer Alfonso gushed: '100 per cent committed. He could be filming for 15 hours, start at 6am, finish at nine at night and he'd still send me a text: "Do you have time for a workout?"' Revealing his new appearance on his Instagram Story, the funnyman quipped: 'This is not AI, I really am egotistical enough to do this.' He also wrote that he is 'hard launching my mid-life crisis' and 'debuting my new character: middle aged man who replaced beer with protein shakes' His trainer also shared the magazine's photos to Instagram and wrote that he 'could not be more proud' of Sacha after working out with him. 'Sacha trusted my process and followed the plan exactly. Not only did he earn better health and fitness with incredible aesthetics…but also… The COVER of Men's Fitness!!!' Moretti wrote. 'From Borat to Buff full article coming this Friday! For now, enjoy the pictures. Tell me he doesn't look absolutely incredible!' In a recent press conference, Marvel chief Kevin Feige confirmed that Sacha will be portraying the MCU character. Sacha first rose to fame in the 1990s with his Ali G character, the infamous spoof wannabe gangster who became a comedy star. He also starred as Borat, a journalist from Kazakhstan, and played the role of flamboyant Austrian fashionista Bruno. He split with Australian actress Isla Fisher in 2023, after more than two decades together. The former couple share three children.