Actors have one job: To be somebody they are not. Great actors, however, are so good at doing that, it’s jarring, which is really the only word to describe the above image.
For its February issue, W magazine plucked 39 actors who they think delivered the best performances of 2014, including Bradley Cooper, who is on one of seven magazine covers for the “Movie Issue” looking like…this.
The actor’s skin is almost as pale as the white backdrop he stands against, as well as the trousers, which he later strips off inside.
So many questions (and the first one is about that tan line on his leg).
W tries to explain:
The photographer Tim Walker was influenced by the colorful, sun-drenched Los Angeles paintings and photographs of David Hockney, as well as the ’70s free-love aesthetic that informs the artist’s work. From there, the photographic scenarios took cues from Federico Fellini and, naturally, Walker’s own unique perspective. Remarkably, all the actors and actresses were excited to play, to be transformed, to embrace personae that were extreme, odd, and truly fascinating. Perhaps therein lies a message for Hollywood: History is safe, but surprise is thrilling. In 2015, please give these actors new worlds to conquer.
Ooh, “thrilling.” That’s another good word to describe this. See the rest of the thrilling covers below.
PHOTO CREDIT & SOURCE: W Magazine
