If you want to be King of the Jungle, you have to eat like it.
If you want to be King of the Jungle, you have to eat like it.
That’s what Alexander Skarsgard found out while bulking up an incredible 25 pounds to star in the movie, The Legend of Tarzan.
In a new interview with Mr. Porter, the Swedish actor reveals the diet and workout regimen that went into achieving his impressive physique, which includes consuming "an insane" 7,000 calories per day, while lifting heavy weights.
When it came to chiseling his eight-pack tone, Skarsgard says he maintained a diet free of sugar, gluten, wheat, dairy, and alcohol, and paired that with two-a-day training sessions.
As for showing off his physique, the 39-year-old heartthrob -- who already went full-frontal in True Blood -- says he has no qualms, "Although obviously you don’t want it to feel gratuitous."
EXCLUSIVE: Alexander Skarsgard Jokes That His Frustrating Diet Inspired His 'Tarzan' Call
ET caught up with Skarsgard at the Hollywood premiere of Tarzan, where he joked that sticking to the onerous diet helped him record the famous Tarzan call.
"My trainer was like, 'You're going to get pasta for lunch,' and then I'd open the box and it'd be broccoli, and then they recorded the 'No!'" he said with a laugh.
Watch the video below for more from Skarsgard on playing the chest-pounding jungle hero.
The Legend of Tarzan is in theaters now.