Famous “Riverdale” actor Charles Melton revealed he had to gain 40 pounds to play his character in the film “May December.”
The 32-year old actor explained getting into character involved a major transformation for a man of his frame, but it was required to authentically portray the role of Joe. He understood the task and decided to put the weight on by eating all his favorite high-fat foods, without a care in the world about what he’d look like afterward.
“I just ate a bunch of Five Guys and pizza and ice cream and Capri Suns and Gushers,” he told Entertainment Tonight.
Joe starts off with a small frame, and becomes increasingly heavier as the movie evolves, which aligned with the life changes of the character. The weight gain changed his face, taking away the once-chiseled features he started off with.
Melton described his journey to 40-pound weight gain as one that wasn’t as bad as some may perceive it to be.
“I can keep on going. And I really enjoyed myself,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
The famous actor talked about how the decision was mad.
“It was more of a collective discussion with Todd and I,” Melton said.
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“We talked about what Joe would feel like, not so much as look like. Looking at the facts of him being this suburban father with three kids and being a loving husband. He doesn’t really have too much time to spend on himself,” Melton said, according to Entertainment Tonight.
“May December” is based on the real-life scandal between Mary Kay Letourneau and her 13-year old student, Vili Fualaau. Letourneau’s relationship with Fualaau resulted in a second-degree child rape conviction. She was pregnant with Fualaau’s child at the time of the conviction, according to Entertainment Tonight. (RELATED: Kim Kardashian Is Completely Unrecognizable In ‘American Horror Story’ Teaser)
Melton stars alongside Natalie Portman and Julianne Moore in the film, which premiered at the 76th Cannes Film Festival.
“May December” is out now in select theaters and will be available Dec. 1 on Netflix.