Actor J.K. Simmons, known for his roles in Justice League and Spider-Man: No Way Home, recently shared the story behind the viral images of him working out that caused a stir on the internet. The images, which surfaced in 2017 around the release of Justice League, depicted Simmons looking muscular and vascular while lifting weights, sparking curiosity about his fitness regimen.
In a recent interview with Comicbook.com, Simmons explained that his transformation was a result of starring in a movie where he portrayed an emaciated character, prompting him to lose 35 pounds in a healthy manner. Following this role, Simmons hit the gym with a trainer, focused on protein intake, and eventually posted the workout images on Instagram, unaware of the platform's reach at the time.
Despite speculation that his newfound physique was for his role as Commissioner Gordon in Justice League, Simmons clarified that the timing was coincidental, as the character is mostly seen wearing a trench coat in the film. The actor emphasized that his fitness journey was a personal endeavor to stay in shape and provide some 'eye candy' for his wife.
Simmons is set to star in the upcoming Christmas action movie, Red One, alongside Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. Directed by Jake Kasdan and written by Chris Morgan, the film features a star-studded cast including Chris Evans, Kiernan Shipka, Lucy Liu, Mary Elizabeth Ellis, Nick Kroll, and Kristofer Hivju.
In Red One, Simmons will portray Santa Claus, who is kidnapped by a villain, leading an E.L.F (Extremely Large and Formidable) operative, played by Johnson, to team up with a skilled tracker to rescue Santa and save Christmas from The Krampus. The movie is scheduled for a theatrical release on November 15, 2024, followed by availability on Prime Video.
