Key Takeaways

• Wagner Moura underwent a remarkable physical and mental transformation to embody the notorious drug lord.
• To authentically capture Escobar’s physical appearance, Moura gained a staggering 40 pounds, drastically changing his diet and lifestyle despite naturally having a lean and lithe physique.
• The mental and emotional toll of inhabiting the Escobar character was even more challenging for Moura, leading him to adopt a vegan diet after filming to shed the weight and “get rid of that character” and its taxing energy.

Wagner Moura’s portrayal of Pablo Escobar in the hit Netflix series “Narcos” left an indelible mark on audiences worldwide.

However, behind the scenes, Moura underwent a remarkable physical and mental transformation to embody the notorious drug lord.

To authentically capture Escobar’s physical appearance, Moura underwent a dramatic transformation, gaining a staggering 40 pounds for the role.

Moura, who naturally has a lean and lithe physique, knew he needed to pack on the pounds to embody the plump and imposing Escobar.

“I was very skinny,” the actor admitted in an interview with NPR’s David Greene, “so I had to gain 18kg [around 40 pounds] for the lead role.“

The physical transformation was not an easy feat, as Moura had to drastically change his diet and lifestyle to achieve Escobar’s distinctive look.

However, the actor found that the mental and emotional toll of inhabiting the character was even more challenging.

“What happens is that when you’re living with a character like that, it’s not like characters are taking your body,” Moura explained, “It’s just that you’re dealing with a certain kind of energy every day that’s not good at all.“

After filming the second and final season of Narcos, Moura was eager to shed the weight he had gained and distance himself from the dark energy of the Escobar character.

He adopted a vegan diet, which he credits not only with helping him lose the extra pounds but also with “getting rid of that character” and the taxing mental state it had induced.

Moura has been candid about the physical and emotional strain of the role, going so far as to say he would never undertake such a demanding transformation again.

“No, I wouldn’t change my body again,” the actor declared.

“I think that’s something for young people to do, you know. I can’t do that anymore. My cholesterol was – it was horrible.“

Despite the challenges, Moura’s dedication to the role of Pablo Escobar has been widely praised, earning him a Golden Globe nomination and cementing his place as one of the most compelling actors of his generation.

However, the experience has also taught him the importance of prioritizing his own health and well-being, a lesson he is unlikely to forget.

FAQs

How Much Weight Did Wagner Moura Gain For Narcos?

Moura gained around 40 pounds (18kg) to play Pablo Escobar.

What Was The Biggest Challenge For Wagner Moura In Narcos?

Moura found the mental and emotional toll of inhabiting the Escobar character even more challenging than the physical transformation.

Did Wagner Moura Continue The Extreme Transformation After Filming?

No, Moura said he would never undertake such a demanding physical change again, as it took a toll on his health.