In Sean Ellis’ movie “The Cut,” Orlando Bloom takes on the role of a boxer who finds himself on the verge of a complete physical and mental collapse as he races against time to shed weight before a crucial fight. With John Turturro portraying a dubious coach, Bloom’s character is willing to go to extreme lengths to lose pounds, even at the risk of his own well-being.
For the film, Bloom underwent an incredible physical transformation, losing a staggering 52 pounds in a span of three months. At the Toronto Film Festival Studio, sponsored by J.Crew and SharkNinja and hosted by Variety, Bloom openly discussed the drastic changes he made for the role. “I gradually reduced my food intake over a three-month period leading up to filming, reaching my lowest weight just before shooting began. I shed 52 pounds, starting at 185 pounds,” Bloom explained. “Losing that much weight was a significant challenge, not just physically but mentally as well. When you’re surviving on a diet of tuna and cucumber for an extended period of time…”
Interestingly, the filming process for “The Cut” added another layer of complexity. Director Sean Ellis chose to shoot the movie in reverse chronological order, meaning Bloom had to bulk up during the production instead of slimming down. Ellis explained this unique approach, stating, “With the calorie deficit, it would have been impossible for Orlando to perform while on such a strict diet. Therefore, he arrived at his lightest and gradually started consuming more food. This meant that we had to film the ending first, followed by the beginning, over the course of the 25 days of shooting. Then, the footage was edited in reverse.”
I was truly taken aback by the mental toll it took, particularly the sleep deprivation, rather than the lack of calories. The experience really messes with your mind… being in that headspace for an extended period was incredibly challenging,” Bloom revealed. He mentioned that the physical transformation was more exhilarating than intimidating.
Interestingly, “The Cut” may catch audiences off guard as it diverges from a standard boxing movie, unfolding more like a body horror story mostly set in a hotel room. The protagonist undergoes blood draining, takes diuretics, and manipulates his body before the weigh-in.
Bloom mentioned a startling incident at the film’s world premiere at TIFF, stating, “Someone in my row fainted!” Ellis added, “Yes, we had a fainter. I think we’ve got to put that on the film poster.”
After witnessing “The Cut” with an audience for the first time, Balfe remarked, “You can read something on the page and it sounds one way, but to see it, it’s so visceral. And I think the way it was shot and the way it was performed, it’s a tough watch. A good watch, but…”
Shifting to a lighter topic, Bloom shared his thoughts on Katy Perry’s upcoming album. “They just keep getting better,” he said about the “Teenage Dream” singer’s albums. “She’s a powerhouse, and I really admire her ability to consistently deliver in such a significant way while bringing so much joy and zest for life. It’s always so impressive. But, yeah, ‘143′ baby!”