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Biopics are visual forms of entertainment describing the unique life of the person being depicted. Over the years, Hollywood has seen biographical representations of Abraham Lincoln in Lincoln, Freddie Mercury in Bohemian Rhapsody, and Jennifer Lopez in Selina (just to name a few). Biopics really push actors and actresses to the edge as they have to physically and mentally transform into a real person with a broad history.
These aren't fictional characters created by a team of writes. These are historical figures who have done something monumental and it's up the actor or actress to deliver that same essence to viewers. It can be incredibly intimidating as well as challenging. Let's take a look at 10 stars who physically transformed to look like the real person they were portraying.
ANGELA BASSETT AS TINA TURNER
In the 1993 film What's Love Got to do With It, actress Angela Bassett transformed into famed performer, Tina Turner. After Tina Turner's biographical book, I, Tina hit shelves in 1986, she allowed the screenplay to be based on her book, sharing her stories.
The film cost $15 million to make and made almost $40 million in theaters. However, once Tina Turner saw her film, she was upset with how untruthful it was. While the screenplay was supposed to be based on her book, Tina said she "didn't realize they would change the details so much" to Oprah.
MORGAN FREEMAN AS NELSON MANDELA
In the incredible film Invictus, Morgan Freeman depicted Nelson Mandela and Matt Damon portrayed Springbok's captain, Francois Pienaar. The 2009 film was directed by Clint Eastwood and was based on the book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation.
The movie showed the South African President and his actions before the iconic 1995 Rugby World Cup. And while the film was nominated for Academy and Golden Globe Awards, they didn't take home the prize that night.
ANNASOPHIA ROBB AS BETHANY HAMILTON
AnnaSophia is a young actress and singer who made it big after getting cast as Violet Beauregarde in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. In 2011, she was also cast to play real-life surfer girl, Bethany Hamilton, in Soul Surfer.
In 2003, Bethany Hamilton was attacked by a shark and lost her arm. She's lucky to be alive and the experience has pushed her to live life to the fullest. To this day, she's still doing inspirational talks, raising two kids, and you guessed it, professionally surfing.
JESSE EISENBERG AS MARK ZUCKERBERG
Who can forget Jesse Eisenberg's portrayal of Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg in The Social Network? The film goes back to Zuckerberg's college days and his relationship with s Eduardo Saverin, Sean Parker, and the Winklevoss twins.
The film went on to win three Academy Awards and earned $224.9 million in the box office. The film was so beautifully done that even Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 96% rating!
BEYONCE AS ETTA JAMES
In 2008, Beyoncé portrayed the iconic Etta James in Cadillac Records. The film was based around Leonard Chess's (Adrien Brody) rise to the top and how he created his first record label. He opened the doors for many Black artists and Beyoncé did a beautiful job at portraying one of the greats.
Not surprising, the movie won a Grammy Award and Beyoncé received great feedback. Co-star Jeffrey Wright had this to say about Beyonce's performance, "She just was so willing to let it out and be vulnerable and emotionally present. We were all part of an ensemble that came to smoke — that came to celebrate that music."
BRAD PITT AS BILLY BEANE
Brad Pitt was nominated for an Academy Award due to his portrayal of Oakland A's General Manager Billy Beane. The amazing story revolves around Beane's out-of-the-box thinking and hiring a recent Yale graduate (Peter Brand, played by Jonah Hill) thanks to his theory on percentages.
Moneyball was the perfect biopic for Pitt to be apart of and he really took on the role of Beane with flying colors. They spent $50 million on making the film and earned around $110 million in theaters.
CATE BLANCHETT AS BOB DYLAN
Bob Dylan fans were stunned when Cate Blanchett, a woman, was chosen to portray one of the six identities of the epic musician. In the 2007 film I'm Not There, we see the six different lives or personas of Dylan.
Next to Blanchett, the film also starred Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Richard Gere, and more. Sadly, with a $20 million budget, the film only made around $12 million in theaters. And while Blanchett did a fantastic job as "Jude Quinn," some critics didn't think she was the proper casting choice, even though they looked insanely alike.
BEN KINGSLEY AS GANDHI
In the 1982 film Gandhi, actor Ben Kingsley portrays the masterful peacemaker as he tries to separate India from Brittan's power. The film went on to make over $127 million in theaters and Kingsley was praised for his portrayal of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi and the movie is one of the highest-grossing of all time in India.
The film went on to win multiple Academy Awards, including Best Actor for Ben Kingsley, and all five of the categories it was in for the Golden Globes. To say Gandhi was a success is an understatement and Kingsley physically became him for the role.
CHARLIZE THERON AS MEGYN KELLY
Bombshell is the most recent of movies on this list that just came out December of this year. Actress Charlize Theron went on to play the part of controversial Fox News reporter, Megyn Kelly.
Bombshell revolves around the sexual allegations from women working at Fox News against its CEO and Chairman Roger Ailes. Theron's role as Kelly earned her a Best Actress nomination at the Golden Globes. As you can see from the picture, it's hard to tell who is who. Theron starred next to Nicole Kidman and Margot Robbie.
JAMIE FOXX AS RAY CHARLES
Ray hit theaters in 2004 with Jamie Foxx portraying musician Ray Charles. Choosing Foxx to portray Charles was an outstanding choice.
He hit the ball out of the park with this one. He received positive reviews for his portrayal and even won an Academy Award for Best Actor. The film went on to bring home over $124 million at the box office.