13 of the best celebrity transformations - in pictures

  • Nicole Kidman donned a prosthetic nose that drastically changed her appearance when she took on the role of writer Virginia Woolf in 'The Hours.' Photo: Paramount Pictures
    Nicole Kidman donned a prosthetic nose that drastically changed her appearance when she took on the role of writer Virginia Woolf in 'The Hours.' Photo: Paramount Pictures
  • Charlize Theron in a scene with co-star Christina Ricci in 'Monster.' Theron's face was airbrushed with layers of translucent washes of tattoo ink to change the texture of her skin to appear like real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Photo: Newmarket Films
    Charlize Theron in a scene with co-star Christina Ricci in 'Monster.' Theron's face was airbrushed with layers of translucent washes of tattoo ink to change the texture of her skin to appear like real-life serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Photo: Newmarket Films
  • Tilda Swinton's transformation into Dr Jozef Klemperer for 'Suspiria' included prosthetics, makeup and a full bodysuit. Photo: Amazon Studios
    Tilda Swinton's transformation into Dr Jozef Klemperer for 'Suspiria' included prosthetics, makeup and a full bodysuit. Photo: Amazon Studios
  • For his role in 'House of Gucci', Jared Leto wore a three-piece bald cap to cover his hair, facial prosthetics and a bodysuit. Photo: Universal Pictures
    For his role in 'House of Gucci', Jared Leto wore a three-piece bald cap to cover his hair, facial prosthetics and a bodysuit. Photo: Universal Pictures
  • Tom Hardy was transformed into legendary mobster Al Capone in 'Fonzo' through facial prosthetics and a bald cap and wig for a receding hairline. Photo: Vertical Entertainment
    Tom Hardy was transformed into legendary mobster Al Capone in 'Fonzo' through facial prosthetics and a bald cap and wig for a receding hairline. Photo: Vertical Entertainment
  • It took a team of makeup artists 11.5 hours the first time they transformed Emmy Rossum into Angelyne in the TV series based on her life, using wigs, bodysuits, lenses, and a breastplate. Photo: NBC Universal
    It took a team of makeup artists 11.5 hours the first time they transformed Emmy Rossum into Angelyne in the TV series based on her life, using wigs, bodysuits, lenses, and a breastplate. Photo: NBC Universal
  • Christian Bale gained more than 18kg and spent between four to eight hours a day in makeup for his role as Dick Cheney in 'Vice.' Photo: Annapurna Pictures
    Christian Bale gained more than 18kg and spent between four to eight hours a day in makeup for his role as Dick Cheney in 'Vice.' Photo: Annapurna Pictures
  • Jessica Chastain committed to sitting for one to two hours a day to be fitted with cheek appliances and prosthetics, to resemble televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'. Photo: Searchlight Pictures
    Jessica Chastain committed to sitting for one to two hours a day to be fitted with cheek appliances and prosthetics, to resemble televangelist Tammy Faye Bakker in 'The Eyes of Tammy Faye'. Photo: Searchlight Pictures
  • Colin Farrell spent three to four hours to become the Penguin in 'The Batman'. Photo: Warner Bros
    Colin Farrell spent three to four hours to become the Penguin in 'The Batman'. Photo: Warner Bros
  • Along with dyeing and cutting her hair, Rooney Mara got real piercings on her face for her role in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' Photo: Columbia TriStar
    Along with dyeing and cutting her hair, Rooney Mara got real piercings on her face for her role in 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.' Photo: Columbia TriStar
  • Matthew McConaughey gained more than 18kg and was fitted with a balding toupee for his role in 'Gold'. Photo: Dimension Films
    Matthew McConaughey gained more than 18kg and was fitted with a balding toupee for his role in 'Gold'. Photo: Dimension Films
  • With shaved brows, a red wig and a prosthetic nose, Margot Robbie is unrecognisable as Queen Elizabeth I in 'Mary Queen of Scots'. Photo: Focus Features
    With shaved brows, a red wig and a prosthetic nose, Margot Robbie is unrecognisable as Queen Elizabeth I in 'Mary Queen of Scots'. Photo: Focus Features
  • Sean Penn with co-star Julia Roberts in a scene from 'Gaslit.' Penn wore a full prosthetic face that included cheek and noses pieces to play former US Attorney General John Mitchell. Photo: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle
    Sean Penn with co-star Julia Roberts in a scene from 'Gaslit.' Penn wore a full prosthetic face that included cheek and noses pieces to play former US Attorney General John Mitchell. Photo: Hilary Bronwyn Gayle