nichesitetool.com

Tom Cruise has once again raised the bar for action stunts, this time by setting a new Guinness World Record for the most burning parachute jumps by an individual.

The Mission: Impossible star performed 16 such death-defying leaps during filming of Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning, the eighth chapter in the high-octane franchise.

Guinness World Records made the announcement on Thursday, praising Cruise’s dedication to authenticity and fearlessness.

‘Tom doesn’t just play action heroes – he is an action hero!’ said Craig Glenday, editor-in-chief of Guinness World Records.

‘His absolute focus on pushing the boundaries of what a leading man can do is unmatched. It’s an honour to recognise his utter fearlessness with this new title.’

In the film’s dramatic climax, Cruise’s character Ethan Hunt faces off against his nemesis Gabriel, portrayed by Esai Morales, high in the skies.

The scene culminates with Hunt jumping from a burning plane. After deploying his parachute, the fabric ignites and disintegrates, forcing him to cut away the charred chute and deploy a backup.

Cruise, who is a licensed skydiver, executed the stunt 16 times. Each jump involved leaping out of a helicopter while strapped to a parachute soaked in fuel and set ablaze.

According to Guinness, no other actor or stunt performer has come close to matching that number of fiery parachute drops.

Cruise is certainly willing to push the limit. At one point during filming, director Christopher McQuarrie shared a terrifying moment when he feared Cruise had passed out while filming a death-defying stunt on the wing of a plane.

‘There was a moment – more than one moment – where Tom had pushed himself to the point that he was so physically exhausted he couldn’t get back up off the wing,’ he revealed during a Rendezvous event at Cannes Film Festival, attended by Metro.

‘He was lying on the wing of the plane, his arms are hanging over the front of the wing. We could not tell if he was conscious or not,’ he continued.

‘We also knew that unless Tom did this [gestures], it was expressly agreed he was not in trouble and we could not cut – you can’t do this when you’re unconscious, so we’re waiting to see if there’s any indication Tom is okay, and we’re waiting to see this sign and Tom is laying on the wing of the plane.’

Whether you like Cruise and his attention-grabbing stunts or not, it’s easy to agree that this World Record is well-earned.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

The Saw films were a staple of 2000s horror, introducing fans to the twisted, torturous traps of the iconic Jigsaw killer.

Directed by James Wan and co-written with Leigh Whannell, the first film was released in 2004 in which serial killer Jigsaw imprisoned Adam Stanheight ( Whannell) and Lawrence Gordon (Cary Elwes) with the purpose of subjecting them to a series of puzzles to escape.

Across the franchise, Jigsaw – or John Kramer (Tobin Bell), as the jaw-dropping ending of the first film reveals – has attracted acolytes who have continued his twisted games spanning 10 films so far.

Released in 2023, Saw X took us back in time to the period between Saw and Saw II in which Kramer desperately seeks life-saving treatment following his cancer diagnosis, but is instead duped by con artists and enacts his bloody revenge.

Soon after its release, an 11th film was announced, but the production of Saw XI has been anything but smooth with delays, a cancellation, and rumours of behind-the-scenes drama.

With a potential lifeline for the legendary horror series now in the mix, we take a look at what exactly is going on with Saw XI.

December 2023: Saw XI confirmed following the release of Saw X

Following the runaway success of Saw X, it was confirmed in December 2023 that Saw XI was on its way.

Saw X landed the highest Rotten Tomatoes rating for any film in the franchise, grossing a whopping $125million (£92.3m) worldwide.

It was announced that Kevin Greutert, who directed the 10th film, would be returning for Saw XI, and Bell would also be reprising his role as the iconic John Kramer.

Co-writer Patrick Melton – who penned Saw IV, Saw V, Saw VI, and Saw 3D – teased what fans could expect from the ‘very timely’ plot of the 11th installment.

‘It taps into the same themes of Saw VI, where you’re a citizen, you feel angry and frustrated with something, you feel like you can’t do anything, and John Kramer’s going to do it,’ he told The Hollywood Reporter.

Given Bell’s return, it seems the 11th film was set to be another prequel set between the events of Saw and Saw II, which could have meant we would see Shawnee Smith’s Amanda Young hit the big screen again.

A post-credit scene from Saw X also saw Costas Mandylor reprise his role as police detective turned Jigsaw disciple Mark Hoffman, which could mean he was set to star in Saw XI though this was never confirmed.

Speaking to SFX magazine, producer Oren Koules hinted that it would be a direct follow-up to the events of Saw X.

‘Cecilia is still alive and Tobin and Shawnee are in a foreign country still. So that, to me, would be the natural place to take at least the next one,’ he revealed.

April 2024: Saw XI release date delayed

Saw XI was originally set to be released on September 27 of the same year, but was delayed until September this year, it was announced in April 2024.

Never Let Go, starring Halle Berry, took the film’s original release date.

Two Lionsgate titles saw their release dates change in the same announcement – the remake of The Crow and The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.

March 17, 2025: Reports emerge that Saw XI has been scrapped due to ‘disagreements’

After a period of silence over the film, sources told Bloody Disgusting that Saw XI was ‘totally, 100% dead’ due to disagreements at studio level.

The report, released on March 27, claimed ‘everything went sideways in January 2024’ due to producers fighting.

‘It’s totally dead,’ the insider said. ‘It’s 100% over. Almost a year now.’

They claimed that one producer attempted to ‘plough forward’ with production, while the other ‘put up roadblocks’ that halted production.

‘[Lionsgate] didn’t have anyone to smooth over the disagreement,’ the source added, claiming ‘greed and ego won.’

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Melton confirmed the claims that the movie has ‘stalled at a managerial level.’

‘The reason it’s held up is just, there’s inter-squabbling between producers and Lionsgate. They just can’t quite get on the same page,’ he said.

He continued: ‘It has nothing to do with the creative or anything else. There’s higher-level things at play.’

The writer claimed he and writing partner Marcus Dunstan turned in a draft of the script in 2024, but that he hadn’t ‘heard anything’ since then.

Greutert also addressed the apparent cancellation in a Reddit post, writing: ‘Let’s just say that this past year+ has been among the saddest and most frustrating of my life.’

March 24, 2025: Saw creators offer a glimmer of hope to fans

A week after the damning news of the Saw XI cancellation, fans were offered an unusual glimmer of hope.

The franchise’s killer mascot, Billy the Puppet, posted a cryptic statement suggesting the game is far from over.

‘I’ve seen the rumors. They say it’s Game Over. You all should know me better than that. The game is never over,’ the tricycle-riding puppet said in a statement shared by Lionsgate.

But at the same time, it was announced that Saw XI had been completely removed from Lionsgate’s release schedule, seemingly sealing its fate.

June 4, 2025: Blumhouse reportedly eyeing up the film rights for Saw XI

Which brings us to June 4, 2025, when Deadline reported that Blumhouse is allegedly in the process of acquiring perspective rights to Twisted Pictures’ portion of Saw.

If the deal goes ahead, Blumhouse would take over the ownership of the franchise rights from Twisted Pictures owners Mark Burg and Oren Koules.

Lionsgate would still be involved in the project, seeing as the company owns 50% of the franchise.

If Blumhouse takes over the Saw franchise, and therefore Saw XI, it would mean Saw is reunited with co-creator James Wan following Blumhouse’s merger with his company Atomic Monster.

It is unknown what stage the deal is at, as Lionsgate, Twisted Pictures, and Blumhouse have not yet addressed the report.

It could mean that Saw XI has been brought back from the dead by Blumhouse, famed for titles such as Paranormal Activity, The Purge, Insidious, Sinister, and many more.

Metro has contacted representatives for Lionsgate and Blumhouse for comment

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

Fans are convinced that Jennifer Lopez could finally nab her first Oscar after the trailer for Kiss of the Spider Woman dropped.

The film, an adaptation of the 1993 Broadway musical of the same name, will be released in cinemas on October 10 and has already been met with rave reviews.

The On The Floor star, 55, will be starring as Ingrid Luna, a diva actress made up by gay hairdresser Luis Molina (Tonatiuh) while he’s enduring an eight-year jail sentence in Argentina.

Attempting to escape the horror of prison, he dreams up a string of movies starring the imaginary actress, including one where she plays a spider woman who kills her lovers with a kiss.

When he is joined in his cell by Marxist Valentin Arregui Paz (Diego Luna), his time behind bars is transformed as they forge an unlikely bond.

The first teaser for the movie, directed by Bill Condon, was shared this week, showing the singer belting out Where You Are while switching between a series of fabulous costumes – all through the imagination of Luis.

Fans were mesmerized over the footage and flocked to social media to rave about JLo’s efforts, with many tipping her to win big during awards season.

Flocking to the comments below an Instagram post of the trailer, Cru.stella predicted: ‘This could be the movie that Jennifer will receive an Oscar nomination. It looks dazzling.’

The_messymentor agreed: ‘I was just thinking the same thing. She has waited for too long to be recognized for her talents by the academy.’

‘Hello????! I hear an Oscar win!! This looks phenomenal!!,’ Jlotheitgirl commented.

Ladelsanto penned: ‘They’re so not ready for this award winning performance!!!!!!!!’

As Ohmymybri added: ‘And the 2026 Oscar for Best Supporting Actress goes to… Jennifer Lopez!’

This isn’t the first time Jennifer has been mentioned in the lead up to the Academy Awards, as she was previously tipped to take home a coveted trophy for her efforts in 2019 flick Hustlers, but failed to land a nomination.

The 1985 movie adaptation of Kiss of the Spider Woman – based on Manuel Puig’s novel – previously saw success at the ceremony when William Hurt landed the gong for best actor for his role.

In a new interview, the Love Don’t Cost A Thing musician shared her hopes that Bill’s version gets the same love.

Speaking of the Oscars buzz surrounding her latest role, she told Variety that she didn’t ‘even want to begin the conversation’, but insisted: ‘Of course, I would love it to get the recognition that I believe it deserves.

‘Bill wrote a script that for the first time in my life I was in bed reading it and I started saying it out loud. Saying the lines and laughing and crying.

‘This is what I’ve been waiting for my whole life. This is all I’ve ever wanted to do.

‘I got into movies because of West Side Story. I thought I was going to do Broadway. I wanted to do movies but I didn’t even think about records. I wanted to do musicals. I love musicals. My kids love musicals. My mother did.

‘It was a dream fulfilled in having done the movie.’

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

A new action thriller film has already landed on Amazon Prime Video despite its UK cinema release date only coming two months ago.

The Accountant 2, starring Ben Affleck, is a sequel to the 2016 action film The Accountant, which also starred Ben in the lead role of Christian Wolff.

Following the story of autistic accountant Christian, The Accountant followed Ben’s character as he secretly reworked accounts for international criminal organisations.

It received a mixed response from critics, and has a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, but has developed a cult following in the nine years since its release.

And while it was made on a budget of $44million (£32.5m), the film – directed by Gavin O’Connor – made back $155m (£115m) at the global box office.

Starring Anna Kendrick too, The Accountant was popular with viewers, and a sequel was greenlit by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer after years of development.

Directed again by Gavin O’Connor, The Accountant 2 saw Ben Affleck reprise his role and starred opposite Jon Bernthal, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, and JK Simmons once more.

The sequel sees Christian drawn back into the criminal underworld after a mutual acquaintance is killed, uncovering a deadly conspiracy along the way.

Critics were much kinder to it upon release earlier this year, with the film currently boasting a solid 72% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on more than 200 reviews.

Fans are super keen too, with the audience rating sat at 92%, which is a marked improvement upon the 77% audience rating from the first film.

On X, user @4P1HT commented: ‘The Accountant 2 is a solid action entertainer. It also gets unexpectedly quite intense in some places.’

@PlanetReview concurred: ‘The film is a fun buddy comedy. It’s proof that a movie doesn’t have to be deep to have a good time at the movies, and that’s perfectly fine!

‘The action is fun too. The characters are funny. However, the chemistry between leads Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal is as charming as it is electric.’

Variety film critic Owen Gleiberman referred to The Accountant 2 as ‘agreeably loopy’ and described it as a ‘hyperviolent good time’.

@UcheKL said ‘Jon Bernthal and Ben Affleck have amazing screen chemistry,’ while @HeyKayKay described ‘the brother chemistry’ as ‘top notch’.

@HayKayKay also argued: ‘Wait. I thought [The Accountant 2] was even better than the first one and so heartfelt. Like, I’m over here crying.’

@MarkOwenH raved: ‘The Accountant 2 was not good… it was excellent. Normally the second installment is mailed into the viewer. Not in this case. Well done gentlepeople. Well done indeed.’

And @RobertPalacios2 said: ‘I enjoyed The Accountant 2 even more on a second viewing. Affleck and Bernthal are a great pairing.’

While The Accountant 2 has gone over better with fans and critics, its box office figures didn’t quite match up, with the film making back just $101m (£74.5m) against a budget of $80m (£59m).

The Accountant 2 is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

KISS fans have expressed their disappointment over the ‘awful’ and ‘ridiculous’ casting of Nick Jonas as frontman Paul Stanley in an upcoming biopic.

The Jonas Brothers singer, 32, is reportedly set to star as the legendary musician, 73, in Shout It Out Loud, a biopic charting the 70s band’s rise to fame.

KISS – made up of Stanley, Gene Simmons, Ace Frehley, and Peter Criss – formed in 1973 and went on to become one of the most influential and biggest-selling rock bands of all time.

The film will be directed by McG, famed for his work on Charlie’s Angels and Transformers.

But fans aren’t happy Jonas will be playing the Starchild, taking to social media to air their frustrations and vow to ‘never see the film.’

‘This casting just assures I will never watch this,’ one person commented on a Reddit post about the casting news, while another simply added, ‘Oh f**k no’ and a third wrote, ‘Absolutely not, that’s awful.’

Others noted the band had enjoyed its fair share of controversy over the years. Several of its members openly admitted they had taken advantage of their star status to sleep with up to 5,000 women, while the band also caught flak for marketing a KISS-themed coffin.

‘Absoultely (sic) ridiculous casting,’ a commenter declared. ‘But then we are talking about the band who replaced their lead guitarist with a roadie.’

Elsewhere, commenters complained that too many music biopics had been released lately, with movies about the lives of Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley, Bob Marley, and Amy Winehouse all released in the last two years.

‘I’m sure a lot of people must love them, but I cannot describe how happy I would be if they just stopped making most musician biopics,’ one wrote.

Other fans were more supportive, with Iamacannibal commenting: ‘Nick is actually a really good actor. He was in a show called Kingdom a while back that is fantastic and he was great in it.’

‘Oh I can totally see why they picked him he will really pull it off!’ Rap_A_Toni93 posted, with other users drawing similarities between Jonas and Stanley’s appearances.

The Hollywood Reporter reports Jonas is in ‘final talks’ to take on the role of Stanley, while movie bosses are still looking for an actor to play the singer’s bassist bandmate Simmons.

The group is helping to develop the project while Stanley and Simmons are among the producers, along with McG.

Deadline reports Jonas plans to take on singing duties in the film and needs time to train his voice to be able to emulate Stanley’s signature vocals.

Longtime KISS manager Doc McGhee previously revealed the movie would focus on the band’s first four years together after forming in the 1970s.

Speaking to Talking Metal in 2021, he explained: ‘[The script is] completely done … And the script is about the first four years of KISS. Basically, it’s before they were famous – it was up to Cadillac High [KISS’ famous gig in a high school gym in Cadillac, Michigan in 1975] , that kind of thing.

‘And I think it’s a very interesting look at the formation of KISS, the mindset of how that came about, the social pressure that everybody was in in the ’60s and ’70s that brought something like Kiss to the forefront, that it could actually happen.

‘So it’s a very interesting, and I think it’s a well-written movie.’

Stanley has also previously spoken about the movie, telling broadcaster Kylie Olsson in 2021: ‘[The movie is] definitely happening. And that’s gonna be really interesting. The script was really good. And we really waited until we felt comfortable.’

Speaking of actors who could play him in the film, he added: ‘I will tell you this: for casting to be accurate in terms of age, we are looking at actors in their early 20s.

‘Honestly, I don’t know a whole lot of actors in their early 20s. When people get asked these kinds of questions, they’ll say, “Oh, Brad Pitt,” or this one or that one.’

He went on to say that he will be ‘there and watching’ as the casting process continues, so if that remains true, surely Jonas has the stamp of approval from the man himself.

‘But as the casting process goes on, I’ll certainly be there and watching. It’ll be interesting to see how someone else- be it the casting people or the director – how they view who I am and who they see doing that.

‘I think I’ll learn a lot about their perception of me by who they cast.’

The biopic was originally slated for a 2024 release date on Netflix, but so far, a revised release date has not been announced.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

The trailer for Wicked: For Good has finally arrived, and with it, a tidal wave of excitement, speculation, and screen grabs.

The sequel to last year’s Wicked, which soared to $755million (£590m) at the global box office and landed 10 Oscar nominations, brings back Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda to continue the witches’ origin story.

Based on the second act of the Wicked stage musical, itself adapted from Gregory Maguire’s novel (and of course, L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz), Wicked: For Good picks up with Elphaba in hiding and Glinda navigating the aftermath of their diverging paths.

The trailer teases heartbreak, rebellion, and the arrival of a mysterious figure in ruby slippers.

But beyond the drama and vocals, fans are noticing something else: Easter eggs.

X user @2nnjenn_ wrote: ‘Quick someone smarter than me find all the easter eggs and spoilers from the Wicked: For Good trailer. #wicked’

@juan_g_lopez605 agreed: ‘me looking for easter eggs in the trailer #WickedForGood’

One of the most talked-about elements of the trailer is the implied arrival of Dorothy Gale. Several users pointed out that the shot of Dorothy on the yellow brick road directly references the original Wizard of Oz film, even mimicking an exact shot.

Many fans connected a lot of the imagery to the 1939 classic, suggesting that director Jon M Chu is intentionally tying the two film worlds together.

One X user pointed out that the trailer also included cut scenes from part one, perhaps suggesting there’s more crossover between the parts than previously thought.

This makes sense, given that both Wicked films were edited simultaneously. Fans now speculate that some moments were intentionally held back to enrich Part Two’s emotional and narrative stakes.

One of the most widely shared discoveries involves Michelle Yeoh’s Madame Morrible, who appears to summon a massive tornado in the trailer. Fans noticed that the skies outside during this moment look eerily familiar.

@TheeStellaBrown wrote: “YALL OMG in the wicked for good trailer, when Morrible summons the tornado, outside it’s the same colours as the wizard of oz before oz omg !!!”

The sequence seems to directly reference the sepia tones and swirling clouds from the moment Dorothy’s farmhouse is swept away in the 1939 film.

The trailer’s emotional center is a tearful goodbye between Elphaba and Glinda. ‘You’re the only friend I ever had,’ Elphaba tells her. ‘The only one that mattered,’ Glinda replies.

It’s underscored by a new version of the duet For Good, and follows Erivo’s haunting rendition of No Good Deed – it also features purpleish/blue and pink lighting, often referred to as ‘bisexual lighting.’

For many fans, the moment reads as more than just friendship.

@thisredwine: ‘new wicked trailer featuring ‘no good deed’ (the best elphaba/fiyero song) and ‘for good’ (the best elphaba/glinda song) as a symbol of elphaba’s bisexuality in this essay i will—’

Whether read as subtext or text, the deep emotional intimacy between the two women continues to resonate with queer audiences.

From the Wizard’s smoke-filled throne room to shots of the Yellow Brick Road curling into the horizon, the trailer is filled with visual homages to The Wizard of Oz.

As one user put it: ‘It’s giving vintage MGM… and I’m not mad about it.’

Now, with Wicked: For Good set to close the curtain on this reimagined Oz, fans are soaking in every frame.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

After behind-the-scenes clashes, public criticism, and tanking at the box office, the live-action Snow White is finally limping onto Disney Plus.

It was meant to be the jewel in Disney’s remake crown and modernise the beloved classic – but Snow White has been a poisoned apple from the start.

While critics largely praised leading lady Rachel Zegler as ‘enchanting’, the scandal that surrounded the release overtook any positives about the film itself.

Problems seemed to be coming from all angles, with Disney reportedly rolling back the scale of their London premiere in response to the backlash.

When it hit cinemas in March, the box office clawed back $205.5million – impressive until you consider the budget was around $270million.

If you loved the film the first time around or are morbidly curious about it after all the drama, Snow White will reach its final resting place on Disney Plus on June 11, 2025.

With just 40% on Rotten Tomatoes, the remake may have even stopped the controversial live-action remake push from Disney (not in time to pull Lilo and Stitch, though).

After the mixed response, Tangled has ‘been put on pause’, according to insiders speaking to The Hollywood Reporter.

Moana, set for release on July 10, 2026, is still thought to be in the works as one of Disney’s biggest animated hits of recent years.

Disney was facing pushback from fans as its slate appeared to be overwhelmingly focused on these remakes, with some even boycotting.

However, Snow White was hit was even more controversy than the others – until maybe the bizarre choices made for the recently released Lilo and Stitch.

First came the complaints that Rachel, 24, was a ‘woke’ casting choice given her Colombian heritage, echoing similar (distasteful) sentiments voiced over Halle Bailey’s Ariel.

The West Side Story star may have proved those naysayers wrong but this was just the start of the problems.

Game Of Thrones star Peter Dinklage then branded the studio ‘backwards’ for still making a ‘story about seven dwarfs living in a cave together’.

Peter, 55, has a common form of dwarfism known as achondroplasia and asked Disney to ‘take a step back and look at what you’re doing’.

As well as dropping half the film’s original title, director Marc Webb opted to portray the characters using CGI – which was pulled apart when the Seven Dwarfs were first unveiled in the movie’s teaser trailer – after erroneous reports that Disney would be using diverse ‘magical creatures’ instead.

Pro-wrestler Hornswoggle, 39, as well as other actors, said ultimately the decision was detrimental to their careers as the roles would have traditionally gone to seven actors with the condition.

Then came the girl boss-ification of Snow White herself – a common move in all the live-action remakes but garnered extra heat for Rachel.

Snow White was ‘not going to be dreaming about true love’ anymore and rather ‘becoming the leader she knows she can be and the leader that her late father told her that she could be if she was fearless, fair, brave, and true’.

Fans slammed Disney (and its leading lady) for the outdated feminism, which many felt turned its back on the core of who Snow White is in the original 1937 film.

Finally, there was the boycott over the casting of Gal Gadot, an Israeli actress who has publicly advocated for Israel over the years.

She has stated that ‘killing innocent Palestinians is horrific’, but mostly her public posts are about Israeli hostages, while Rachel was criticised for her support of Palestine.

After an incredibly messy road to get here, Snow White’s release was quickly forgotten in the wake of other remake missteps.

Snow White will be available to watch on Disney Plus from June 11.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

There’s only one indisputable king of body transformations in Hollywood.

Christian Bale has made the dramatic transformations part of his brand as an actor. There was the time he got jacked for American Psycho. Or emerged rail-thin for his role in The Machinist. Or beefed up for Vice. Then he shaved his head last year for his upcoming role in The Bride.

Now Bale, 51, is back at it, with a fresh look for the David O Russell film Madden, which sees him play the NFL team owner of the LA Raiders, Al Davis. He’s joined by Nicholas Cage, who stars as Raiders head coach turned broadcaster John Madden, and Sienna Miller who plays Madden’s wife. 

The sports film tracks Madden’s journey to coaching the Raiders to win the Super Bowl, before burnout prompted him to leave the team and eventually wind up as a broadcaster.

The new pictures from the set in Atlanta show the Oscar winner in a leather jacket with hair so slicked back it would leave Bella Hadid impressed. 

The hair also has a noticeable widow’s peak to it. It’s unclear whether Bale is wearing a wig, but given what we know about how much he likes to transform for roles, there’s every possibility it’s his real tresses.

Bale is also sporting a ruddy complexion on set, which was particularly noticeable in the pictures without his sunglasses on. 

It’s not just Bale who’s made a physical change for the film, as the new pictures from filming on set show Cage has also changed his look for the role, with noticeably new copper wavy hair.

Bale has done everything imaginable to contort his body for his parts. He did special exercises that would thicken his neck for the part of Dick Cheney. He survived on a daily intake of water, an apple, and one cup of coffee to become an insomniac factory worker.

But in recent years Bale has said his history of insane body transformations might be just that: a thing of the past.

Bale told The Sunday Times Culture magazine in 2019: ‘I can’t keep doing it. I really can’t.’ He went on to say that the roles had taken their toll and he had reached a point where his ‘mortality is staring [him] in the face’.

He again said that age had been the deciding factor, telling E! News at the premiere for Ford vs Ferrari. ‘I’ve become a little bit more boring now, because I’m older and I feel like if I keep doing what I’ve done in the past I’m going to die,’ he said. ‘So, I’d prefer not to die,” he added with a laugh.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.