A-list actor’s remarkable transformation for latest role

THIS Oscar-winning action man is absolutely unrecognisable in his latest role, with the first official shots from the movie Vice released today.

THE first official pictures of Christian Bale as US politician Dick Cheney have been released today — and it’s a remarkable transformation.

Former Batman actor Bale, 44, had previously made headlines for taking on the role in Cheney biopic Vice, gaining weight to play the now 77-year-old former US Vice President.

Yep, that’s Christian Bale in Vice. Picture: Greig Fraser/Annapurna Pictures

Bale out of character, circa 2016. Picture: Getty

Variety reports that to achieve his look, Bale shaved his head, bleached his eyebrows, and put on 18kg. In Vice, he portrays Cheney from his early career as a Washington bureaucrat to his eventual position as the second-most powerful man in US politics.

Bale as Cheney. Picture: Greig Fraser/Annapurna Pictures

The real Cheney. Picture: AP

Bale will star alongside a number of A-listers in the film, all playing real-life political figures: Amy Adams as Cheney’s wife Lynne, Steve Carell as Donald Rumsfeld, Tyler Perry as Colin Powell and Sam Rockwell as President George W. Bush. The film is scheduled for US release on Christmas Day, with a full-length trailer dropping tomorrow — here’s a teaser trailer in the meantime:

Excited to announce the VICE trailer is coming tomorrow morning - a snapshot into Dick Cheney’s wild, quiet and shadowy power. pic.twitter.com/ZDqlvFQPIS

— Adam McKay (@GhostPanther) October 2, 2018

Bale is famed for his intense physical transformations for roles. His biggest transformation to date came back in 2004, when he played a man with crippling insomnia. Bale dieted for four months prior to filming, losing 28kg and bringing his total body weight down to an emaciated 54kg. After filming finished, the 6ft-tall actor then had just six months to bulk up for his role in Batman Begins.

Bale — pictured here in September 2017 — gained 18kg to play Cheney. Picture: Getty Images/AFP

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