The Revenant: Leonardo DiCaprio spent five hours getting fake bloody wounds put on in make-up every day
It's not just DiCaprio in line for an Oscar at the 2016 ceremony
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Leonardo DiCaprio is finally on the cusp of bagging his first Oscar for The Revenant, an award he arguably deserves based solely on the fact that he had to spend up to five hours every day in makeup having his gross fake wounds applied.
The actor stars as fur trapper Hugh Glass in Alejandro G Inarritu’s visceral drama and, in one memorable scene, is brutally mauled by a bear, leaving him with horrific injuries that almost kill him.
A new photo has emerged on Imgur showing DiCaprio, 41, sitting patiently with prosthetics artist Duncan Jarman as he works skilfully to make his body look as realistically destroyed as possible.
Jarman undertook thorough research into the real life Glass and unearthed historical information about the wounds he suffered. Injuries were sustained to Glass’ whole body, meaning DiCaprio had to spend an entire day life casting so the team could create all the necessary effects.
Inarritu, a notoriously tough taskmaster on The Revenant shoot, reportedly asked the team to make wounds that could ‘bleed’ and then be stitched up in one take by one of Glass’ men.
Those who have seen the film know that the bear attack is the definition of bloody. Tubes filled with fake blood were placed inside a chest piece made to look as if Glass’ ribs had been exposed and DiCaprio wore a silicone appliance on his neck that had been designed to froth blood. Crushed almonds, sunflower and linseed helped to give the appearance of scabs (don’t worry, we’re gagging too).
DiCaprio’s makeup took four and a half hours to be applied on the days spent filming the attack’s gruesome aftermath, following a two-hour drive into the depths of the freezing Canadian wilderness.
He had to lie in icy mud connected to blood lines as the team tried to keep him warm while also allowing time for touch-ups before shooting began.
Jarman is also nominated for an Oscar in the Make-up and Hairstyling category, along with his teammates Sian Grigg and Robert Pandini. In total The Revenant has racked up 12 nods, with the Academy Awards ceremony taking place in Hollywood on Sunday 28 February.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments