Christian Bale on his massive weight gain to play US veep Dick Cheney

Christian Bale is almost unrecognisable after piling on the pounds for his new movie. Photo: AFP

When Christian Bale walks into his press conference, my eyes almost pop out of my head. The actor has gained 18kg, shaved his head, dyed his eyebrows blonde, and is totally unrecognisable. Twenty years earlier, he starved himself for months to play The Machinist, a decision that might have cost him his health.

This time he’s working with a nutritionist. And again it’s for a role, playing former Vice President Dick Cheney in Backseat, director Adam McKay’s follow up to his Oscar nominated The Big Short. Despite his unflattering appearance, the 43-year-old actor is in great spirits.