How 25 TV Shows and Movies Creatures Look Like Without Their Costumes

Behind the thrilling appearances of the creatures we see on TV shows and movies lies immense artistic craftsmanship. These iconic beings, whether terrifying aliens or fantastical creatures are brought to life by real actors who excel in transforming into any role they take on. For example, consider the actors behind The Predator or a Wookie. In just a moment, we’ll embark on a visual journey to see what these performers look like when they step out of their elaborate costumes, make-up, CGI, and prosthetics. We salute the skilled makeup artists and special-effects wizards in Hollywood who dedicate days, or even months, to creating the perfect look for these characters. You’re about to discover their true appearances behind the scenes. Hollywood’s ability to morph everyday actors into these awe-inspiring, lifelike creatures is nothing short of miraculous. Truly, you would hardly recognize them!

Takako Fuji in The Grudge

The Grudge, released in 2004 and supposed to be at least as excellent as the Japanese original, ended up being nothing more than another uninspired Hollywood remake of a beloved J-horror classic. Takashi Shimizu, who directed the original Japanese film Ju-on, chose to direct the American version, and Takako Fuji, the actress who played the terrifying ghost Kayako, accompanied him.

I.G.N. was told by Fuji that there was a huge discrepancy in their budgets. Fuji repeated Kayako for the sixth time in 2006’s The Grudge 2, which was critically derided but nonetheless made an impression on American horror audiences.

Mantis

Mantis, played by Pom Klementieff, was an insect-humanoid alien in the sequel to Guardians of the Galaxy. Metro magazine shared that Klementieff had to don prosthetics at the tip of her forehead. However, the rest of her character was CGI. Compared to most protagonists and antagonists of sci-fi movies, the actress did not have to spend as much time getting her make-up done for the job.

The make-up artists experimented with various looks to create the perfect design for Mantis. According to Klementieff, they tried multiple wigs, and at one point, they drew veins on her face. After that, they deviated toward a more human design.

Thanos’ CGI

When he was approached for the role of the infamous villain Thanos, John Brolin was hesitant. He would become a part of the popular Avenger series. Still, he was reluctant for one big reason: he did not want to stand in front of a huge green screen and do “practically nothing.” However, Brolin was convinced after watching “The Hobbit,” a CGI-filled movie. After all, Benedict Cumberbatch’s performance was nothing short of stunning.

Brolin’s Thanos was entirely CGI, so he only had to endure an overwhelming amount of iridescent paint over his body and face. Brolin terms it as “different but fun.”

The Real-Life Predator

Jean-Claude Van Damme was the original choice for the protagonist in the 1987 action and sci-fi film, Predator. After he tapped out, the officials hired Kevin Peter Ball, a musical actor standing at an impressive 7’4″ height. Suffice to say, he was perfect for the role of the aggressive alien that terrorizes people.

Hall only used his voice to yell or growl, so he refers to this part as a “grunt role.” Despite the difficulty of wearing the gigantic suit, Hall thoroughly enjoyed playing the extraterrestrial warrior. He said his role was bigger than life, technically making him a part of the sci-fi/fantasy/horror genre.