Benedict Cumberbatch was forced to eat five meals a day plus protein rich snacks to transform his body to play the role of Doctor Strange in the Marvel Universe. In a recent series of interviews and podcast appearances, he spoke about the film industry's rampant environmental waste problem and unhealthy on-set practices calling it a "grossly wasteful industry."
He was a guest on the "Ruthie’s Table 4" podcast when he made the comments and expounded on the ways in which Hollywood is wasteful, pointing to excessive energy use, overbuilt sets, and the widespread use of single-use plastics on sets. "Think about set builds that aren’t recycled, think about transport, think about food, think about housing, but also light and energy. The amount of wattage you need to create daylight and consistent light in a studio environment. It’s a lot of energy."
The British actor, who has starred in numerous big-scale productions, expressed his deep concern about the disconnect between the industry's public environmental messaging and its actual practices. He called for real change behind the scenes, saying it's time for the industry to move beyond “well-meaning platitudes” and adopt truly sustainable habits, such as eliminating plastic water bottles and cutting down on unnecessary waste.
While on the podcast, Benedict also reflected on the personal toll these productions can take and the extreme diet he endured while preparing to play Doctor Strange. “It’s horrific eating beyond your appetite,” he admitted, detailing his five-meal-a-day regimen and protein snacks such as boiled eggs, almonds and cheese to maintain a superhero physique. "Going back to responsibility and resourcefulness and sustainability, it’s just like, 'What am I doing? I could feed a family with the amount I'm eating.'"
Benedict has been increasingly vocal about the importance of environmental responsibility, especially as climate change poses mounting threats around the globe. And he’s not alone: stars such as Jane Fonda, Julia Roberts and Woody Harrelson have advocated for "green riders" in film contracts — sustainability clauses that enforce eco-conscious practices during production. Some studios, like Disney, have pledged to use 100 percent zero-carbon electricity by 2030.
Benedict says he tries to "push the green initiative" on sets when he is both an actor and producer, in his own personal attempt to make Hollywood a less wasteful industry. The film industry still has steps it needs to take to implement better sustainability, but with more stars like Benedict speaking out, meaningful progress may finally be within reach. ~Erin Grace