0
Jake Gyllenhaal has shown off his beefed-up physique in the first promotional image for his upcoming film Southpaw.
The Nightcrawler star gained 15 pounds of muscle for the role of boxer Billy ‘The Great’ Hope, and looks barely recognisable.
Directed by Antoine Fuqua, Southpaw follows a Junior Middleweight Champion who loses everything in a personal tragedy and seeks redemption inside the ring.
Gyllenhaal trained at Floyd Mayweather’s gym in Las Vegas and sparred with real fighters in New York at Church Gym to prepare for the role. He also attended Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao fights for research.
Rachel McAdams, Naomie Harris, Forest Whitaker, Victor Ortiz, Tyrese Gibson and Miguel Gomez will appear alongside the Donnie Darko actor in Southpaw.
Rapper Eminem was originally attached to the lead role, but exited the project to focus on his music.