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Reese Witherspoon got in shape for her new film by eating doughnuts. The 38-year-old actress takes on the role of Cheryl Strayed in her new movie Wild, which is based on Cheryl's memoir. She wrote it about a 1,100-mile hike she embarked on after going through a tumultuous period in her life, and Reese was surprised when director Jean-Marc Vallée issued an unusual request.
'Jean-Marc Vallée wanted me to be as green as Cheryl was when she began her hike'
"Doughnuts lots of doughnuts," Reese laughed to E! about her preparation. "Jean-Marc Vallée wanted me to be as green as Cheryl was when she began her hike. I wasn't even supposed to hike, He was like, 'I don't even want you to hike.'"
Cheryl battled drug addiction which is included in the film, with Reese also having to shoot her first nude scene. She didn't take any of the subject matter lightly and admits feeling terrified when the moment to strip off came.
"I had to make a choice when I decided to do the film on how much I wanted to bare," she said.
"I have a real story to tell here because Cheryl was completely honest when she wrote her book, even the parts of herself which weren't as palatable or likeable, she told every part of her truth. It was scary and challenging."
Reese understands many will think the film could be dry, but is keen to point out it's about a lot more than a women on a long walk. Cheryl made the drastic decision to change her life after her mother died, she got divorce and recovered from her addiction, which gives the story many layers.
"I felt the difficultly of the emotional scenes. It's not just a movie about somebody walking. It's really about someone who feels profoundly hurt and lost," the actress said.
"Sexuality and drug use. All those things were really challenging."
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