During their brief three-hour encounter, Eddie Redmayne recalls that Hawking spoke only about eight sentences. He admits he felt unable to ask Hawking personal or intimate questions, leaving him with limited direct insight into the physicist’s personality.
Determined to authentically portray Hawking, Redmayne devised a rigorous preparation process. He lost approximately 15 pounds and trained intensively for four months with a professional dancer to master control over his body and mimic Hawking’s physical mannerisms.
To deepen his understanding, he met with around 40 ALS patients, meticulously charting the progression of muscle decline in each case, aiming to replicate Hawking’s physical deterioration accurately. Redmayne also spent hours in front of a mirror, contorting his face to match Hawking’s expressions and gestures.
Between takes, he remained motionless and hunched over for extended periods, so much so that an osteopath told him he had altered the alignment of his spine due to his obsessive effort. Redmayne openly admits that he was somewhat of a control freak during this process, describing himself as obsessive and questioning whether it was entirely healthy. His dedication paid off, earning critical acclaim for his portrayal of Hawking and demonstrating his commitment to authenticity.
