Nicole Kidman went through an extreme transformation for her new movie Destroyer.
It might be one of her most challenging roles yet so its no surprise that the Big Little Lies actress reveals she was deeply depressed while filming the crime drama.
The 51-year-old stars as Erin Bell, an LAPD detective who must go undercover to take down a gang in the California desert.
Doesnt exactly sound like a mission that would garner a positive result but, unfortunately for Nicole, the exhausting role spilled out into real life and prompted her husband, Keith Urban, to somewhat intervene.
The Hollywood actress told Variety: I was very, very deeply depressed. It was the point where my husband was like, “When the hell is this going to end?”
Nicole was determined to take on the gritty character, adding: They were considering someone else for the role. Then the other actress didnt want to do it. I was like, “I want to”.
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Nicoles drastic transformation included wearing facial prosthetics and also learning how to walk convincingly with a limp – simply, she looks totally unrecognisable.
So its understandable that country singer Keith was weirded out when he first saw Nicole in all her prosthetics glory.
The Australian actress admitted: Wouldnt you be weirded out if you were married to one person, and they show up looking like that?
Director Karyn Kasama also weighed in to reveal how she knew Nicole was the perfect fit for the role, explaining: She talked a lot about shame, what it does to your body and mind.
I realised a couple of things. One, she was going to fully embody the character in another physicality. And I knew she was going to bring a humanity to the character.
Playing the police detective required Nicole to learn how to use guns and assault rifles, so she underwent gruelling training with a military veteran.
More: Nicole Kidman
All of the weapons, I can load them, I can fire them, I know them. I trained for about a month, but every day. It was cold, and I was tired, and I would just train. And my hands cramped, because I dont have big hands and I dont have strong hands. It was awful, she revealed.
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Destroyer, which is out on 25 January in the UK, received rave reviews during Londons BFI festival and Toronto International Film Festival. Its also earned an 83% rating on Rotten Tomatoes so you can bet youre in for a thrill.
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