In the realm of acting, Jesse Plemons notes that an actor’s physicality stands as "one of the many peculiar facets" of the profession, a quality he doesn't foresee manipulating anytime in the near future. Speaking recently with The Independent, the Netflix's 'Zero Day' star reminisced about his weight gain for the 2015 film 'Black Mass,' where he portrayed a genuine gangster. He conceded that the toll it took might not justify a repetition. "I never envisioned embodying such a character," he recounted. "[Gaining weight] was a choice I made at that juncture, considering the director and the authenticity of the role. I harbor no regrets. However, gaining weight was effortless, whereas shedding it proved to be a herculean task. I'm uncertain if I'd venture into it again – it somewhat disrupted my equilibrium."
The alumnus of 'Breaking Bad' hinted that his subsequent appearance steered him towards being typecast: "I sensed that decision somewhat dictated the roles I was offered, and it began to infiltrate my self-identity... not necessarily reflecting who I was prior to that." (Since 'Black Mass,' Plemons has starred in films such as 'Bridge of Spies,' 'The Post,' 'Game Night,' 'The Irishman,' 'I’m Thinking of Ending Things,' 'Judas and the Black Messiah,' 'The Power of the Dog,' and 'Killers of the Flower Moon.')
Plemons revealed that landing a role in Alex Garland's 'Civil War,' where he briefly essays a chilling, violent soldier in a dystopian American society, prompted him to embark on a transformation. "Being entrusted with that character yet unable to envision myself in my then-current weight... it was somewhat of a wake-up call," said the Oscar nominee. "Moreover, having young children also played a part. I regained control over it. Losing weight, apart from enhancing my well-being, feels like I've unlocked another avenue for potential roles."
Previously, during an interview with the Los Angeles Times last year, the 'Kinds of Kindness' actor delved into his transformation, acknowledging the speculation it might ignite. "It's genuinely unfortunate that I chose to adopt a healthier lifestyle when everyone else decided to take Ozempic," he remarked at the time. "It doesn't matter; people will assume I took Ozempic regardless. But it was more about aging and – I dread being too specific as it might lead to unnecessary scrutiny, but there was a role in 'Civil War' that I couldn't fathom portraying at my then-weight. Several individuals recommended intermittent fasting, and I gave it a try, surprised by its swift effectiveness. I lost some weight before the role and felt like I was in sync, improving my well-being, and something in my mindset shifted. I simply regained control over it."
