Benedict Cumberbatch has condemned the Hollywood film industry as 'grossly wasteful', criticising its excessive use of resources from set construction to the bulking up of actors' physiques. Speaking on Ruth Rogers' podcast Ruthie's Table 4, the actor recalled eating five meals a day while filming Marvel's Doctor Strange, supplementing with boiled eggs, almonds and cheese to meet protein demands.
'It's horrific eating beyond your appetite,' said Cumberbatch. 'I could feed a family with the amount I'm eating.' He argued that Hollywood's approach to sustainability is lacking, pointing to unrecycled set builds, transport, food, housing and the immense energy required for studio lighting.
The actor acknowledged that actors are often accused of hypocrisy on environmental issues, but said he uses his role as star and producer to push green initiatives, such as eliminating single-use plastic bottles on set. 'You don't have to give the crew plastic bottles. If you're in the middle of a desert and you can't get glass bottles there, fair enough. But we're in the 21st century.'
Major blockbusters can emit up to 3,370 metric tonnes of CO2, equivalent to powering 702 homes for a year. In 2021, the Producers Guild of America called for a transition to clean energy, stating that sustainability measures remain 'sporadic and wholly inadequate'. The recent Los Angeles wildfires, which killed 31 and destroyed over 16,000 structures, have further highlighted the industry's environmental impact.
While some studios, like Disney, have pledged to achieve 100% zero-carbon electricity by 2030, and stars such as Jane Fonda and Leonardo DiCaprio champion environmental causes, the logistics of big-budget filmmaking often clash with eco-friendly goals. DiCaprio himself has faced criticism for jet-setting despite his foundation's work.
