Inside the detailed process of Sebastian Stan's transformation into Tommy Lee: 'It cannot be distracting'

The Making of Sebastian Stan's Tommy Lee

It wasn't just tattoos that defined Sebastian Stan's transformation into Tommy Lee for his 90s grunge role. From hair makeovers to teeth tweaks, the metamorphosis was a meticulous process that required dedication and precision. Let's rewind and delve into this fascinating transformation, as reported by British GQ on February 2, 2022.

Tackling the Hair – A Grungy Makeover

When it comes to chameleon-like transformations, Sebastian Stan's metamorphosis into Tommy Lee for the biographical project was nothing short of extraordinary. While the tattoos were the most visible change, it was the hair that required constant work.

"In order to achieve Tommy Lee’s 90s grunge look, Stan’s hair was modified from its natural texture through a process he underwent every 6 to 8 weeks," stated Moe, the hairstylist. Stan would "typically spend 3 hours in the hair and makeup chair," with almost an hour spent on perfecting the hair alone.

Tattoos and the Fine Line of Authenticity

The transformation process didn't stop at the hair. Jason Collins and his team needed to replicate Lee's tattoos in chronological order, something that was carefully crafted and designed. But they faced challenges.

“Half of [Lee’s] mayhem chest was complete, and the other half wasn't. If we wanted to be completely accurate, we would just go ahead and do that,” Collins explained, touching on the conflict between realism and engagement. The team had to ensure not to infringe upon the original tattoo artist's work, having to change the designs by about 30%.

More Than Makeup – A Matter of Character

Avoiding a caricature portrayal of the real-life counterparts was a delicate act. The emphasis was on authenticity without distracting the audience.

“It's always the fine line of believability and authenticity,” Williams, the makeup artist, explained. This wasn't just about the physical appearance. From working on accents to adopting the characters' unique traits, the actors needed to fully embody their roles. Even the addition of fake teeth to emulate "that Pam Anderson smile" had to be handled with care.

A Transformation Masterpiece

The story behind Sebastian Stan's transformation into Tommy Lee offers a glimpse into the art and science of character creation in film. It's a testament to the synergy between actors and makeup artists, hairstylists, and special effects teams. Stan's metamorphosis reminds us that acting isn't just about lines and emotions; it's about becoming the character, down to the smallest detail.

Several parts of the text in this article, including the title, were generated with the help of an AI tool.