Aaron Taylor-Johnson trades cocktails for crunches in epic body overhaul

Aaron Taylor-Johnson has revealed the extraordinary lengths he went to in preparing for his role as Kraven the Hunter, including giving up alcohol for two years to achieve the chiseled physique showcased in the film.

The 34-year-old actor stars as the titular anti-hero in the latest Marvel installment set in Spider-Man’s universe, which dives into the backstory of one of the superhero’s most formidable foes. 

During an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live on Monday night, he shared how he committed to a rigorous training regimen and diet plan to embody the character fully.

“There was six months of intense training for this,” he explained. “I had an amazing trainer and a very strict diet—no pizza, no pasta, and absolutely no alcohol for two years while working on this movie.”

Reflecting on his disciplined approach, he added: “After filming wrapped, I treated myself. I had an entire pizza and a perfectly poured ice-cold beer. It was the best thing I’ve ever tasted.”

The actor admitted the aftermath of finally breaking his diet: “Soon after, I looked like a balloon—my stomach just wasn’t used to it!”

Fans have already been treated to an exciting first glimpse of Kraven the Hunter, which showcases Aaron’s transformation into the complex and vengeful anti-hero. 

The first eight minutes of the film, released last week, reveal Kraven posing as a Russian felon on a perilous bus ride to prison, setting the stage for the character's gripping origin story.