Top 10 Torsos

It’s not just about playing the part; you’ve got to look it as well. For many roles actors need to prove they’re buff enough and strong enough, so we’ve ploughed through the best torsos in film to celebrate the most muscly movie muscles of them all. (It’s a hard feat we know.)

Our Top Picks

Gerard Butler - 300

Talk about chiseled abs! Zack Snyder’s CGI adaptation of Frank Miller’s graphic novel made Gerard Butler an international heartthrob. Although the vast majority of 300 was filmed in front of a green screen, the muscles are real and the male cast went through a rigorous two month training regime to prepare before filming. Butler, who played Spartan King Leonidas, said the training was the most difficult thing he’s ever had to do. Don’t worry Gerry, all that hard work paid off.

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Brad Pitt - Fight Club

Pitt isn’t as bulky as some other torsos mentioned in our top 10; he’s more about definition, in particular the oblique* muscle. In preparation for their roles, Pitt and co-star Edward Norton undertook a routine of boxing, taekwondo and grappling. This, of course, isn’t the only film where Pitt’s muscles are on show. Its worth noting 2004’s Troy, for which Pitt trained for six months to achieve a body like the Greek statues. *The V shape on his lower torso, for those not in the know.

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Daniel Craig - Casino Royale

A vital component of any James Bond is sex appeal, so thank goodness Daniel Craig – the blonde (!) younger-than-the-series-itself-newbie – has it in bucket loads. Craig gained 20 pounds of muscle for the role and his finest torso moment is – unsurprisingly – as he struts out of the sea, wearing nothing but his tight aqua blue short-shorts. It’s not just about looks though, Craig was nominated for a Best Actor BAFTA for his role in Casino Royale.

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Jake Gyllenhaal - Prince of Persia : The Sands of Time

For this Disney film based on the mega- popular computer game, Jake Gyllenhaal spent four months working with the same personal trainer used by Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig for James Bond. In order to be in fighting fit shape to play Prince Daston, Jake spent his mornings running through sand wearing a 20-pound flak jacket, and after practicing his lines during the day he’d finish up with extra cardio and muscle work outs. We’re tired just thinking about it.

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Christian Bale - American Psycho

Quite the opposite from his look in The Machinist, Christian Bale sports an impressive eight pack in American Psycho. For his role as serial killer Patrick Bateman, Bale wanted to achieve the Olympian physique described in Bret Easton Ellis' novel. To get it, he pumped some serious iron in the gym, spent three hours a day with an on-set trainer and even tanned his skin to complete the look.

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Matthew McConaughey - Fool’s Gold

Mr. McConaughey looks buff and bronzed in most of his movies – hell, he looks like that all the time in real life – but Fool’s Gold makes the most of his impressive build. This film reteamed McConaughey with his How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days costar Kate Hudson, and the couple spend most of their time looking great, half naked and snorkeling for treasure. It didn’t fare well with critics, but the paying public took it straight to no1 at the box office.

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Taylor Lautner - The Twilight Saga: New Moon

He may only be 19-years-old but the dedication young Taylor Lautner put in to bulking up for the Twilight sequel is pretty darn admirable if you ask us. After Lautner played Jacob in the first movie, New Moon director Chris Weitz wanted to recast the role because of the character’s massive physical change –what with turning all big and werewolf-like. So to make sure he kept the part, Lautner went on a weightlifting mission, putting on an impressive 30 pounds of muscle, earning respect from the whole cast and crew, and returning as Jacob Black.

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Hugh Jackman - Swordfish

Jackman works hard on his antipodean abs, and it shows. Whether it’s as a computer hacker in Swordfish, a cattle drover in Australia or as Wolverine in the X-Men films, Jackman puts in his all. He’s been known to bench press 315 pounds and do 1,000 leg presses, plus tai chi and yoga. Oh, and he does most of his own stunts as well. He’s pretty much the closest thing there is to a real life super hero.

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Hank Azaria - Along Came Polly

When you think of well buffed bodies Hank Azaria might not spring to mind, but his cameo in Along Came Polly is more than worthy of a mention. Hank plays Claude, a French scuba diving instructor who beds Reuben Feffer’s (Ben Stiller) wife (Debra Messing) – whilst the newly married couple are on honeymoon. Ouch. It’s a harsh situation, but when you think of Claude’s strong physique, wavy sun-kissed hair and itsy bitsy swimwear, who can blame her? And don’t feel too bad for Reuben; he’s reunited with old schoolmate Polly Prince (Jennifer Aniston) and love blossoms once again.

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Mickey Rourke - The Wrestler

Yes, we agree it’s not exactly sexy, but Rourke put in a lot of work to get the authentic wrestler look – body and soul. To prepare physically Rourke did a mixture of weight and cardio training for four months, as well as the fancy choreography that taught him how to move like a wrestler. Rourke has said that three days into filming he knew it was the hardest movie he ever made, and by 10 days in he knew it was the best movie he ever made.

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Tegan Kniveton