American actor Dax Shepard has set the internet ablaze, showcasing a dramatically bulked-up physique that bears an uncanny resemblance to the iconic Marvel character, Wolverine. The 50-year-old shared his impressive transformation on Instagram, just days after humorously revealing on his podcast that he has been 'waiting for a call from Marvel' for a decade.
The Marvel Dream That Never Was
During an episode of his popular Armchair Expert podcast, joined by celebrity couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis, Shepard opened up about his long-held superhero aspirations. 'In quarantine, I said to [my wife, Kristen Bell], "I’ve been waiting for 10 years for Marvel to call so that I’d have an excuse to get huge,"' the actor confessed. He then added with a dose of reality, 'And they’re not gonna call. That ship sailed. I’m 46. They’re not gonna call. So, I just have to do it for my own amusement.'
A Strict Regimen for a Superhero Body
Undeterred by Marvel's silence, Shepard took matters into his own hands, embarking on a rigorous fitness journey. The Parenthood star disclosed that he commits to the gym six days a week, adhering to a strict diet and workout plan. His methods included lifting heavy weights, consuming protein shakes, and, as he jokingly noted, taking 'heavy testosterone injections'.
The results speak for themselves. Shepard, who typically weighs around 13 stone, revealed he has bulked up to nearly 15 stone – a gain of two stone since the COVID-19 pandemic began. 'I spent my whole life as a medium boy, and now I’m a big boy, and I like it,' he quipped.
Beyond the physical gains, Shepard emphasised the profound impact on his mental health. 'Mentally, I love it because it makes me far more on fire to be alive,' he shared, recalling a period of depression after his 2017 film CHiPs. 'I was literally retiring. That was the plan. I’m out. All of a sudden, I was on fire to work. This is the version I enjoy.'
Moving Past Controversy with a Festive Fiasco
The revelation about his fitness regime comes as Shepard and his wife, Kristen Bell, navigate recent controversy surrounding their marriage. In an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, the couple lightened the mood by recounting a hilarious and near-disastrous attempt to decorate their home in Nashville, Tennessee, for the holidays.
After receiving a shocking $17,000 quote from professionals, they decided on a cheaper alternative: flying Dax's best friend from Detroit to do the job for $3,000. The catch? His friend, though a former roofer, hadn't been on a roof in nearly 20 years.
Dax's fears were realised when his friend actually fell from the roof, saved only by the safety ropes he had wisely brought along. The actor had previously expressed his anxiety, telling his friend, 'I don't want to be delivering your eulogy and saying, "Some people say I saved your life by sending you to treatment. But I definitely murdered you by having you put Christmas lights up at my house."'
This festive story provided a moment of levity following significant online criticism directed at Bell for an anniversary post where she quoted Dax's darkly humorous vow never to murder her, a comment that was widely panned as insensitive.
