When A-listers undergo dramatic transformations for movie roles

Cate Blanchett hasn't been labelled a chameleon for no reason. While she rarely strays far from her blonde hair and natural make-up on the red carpet, she's anything but herself on screen, having transformed into Elizabeth I of England, Bob Dylan and The Lord of the Rings' Galadriel. But her latest film might be her biggest change yet...

In Manifesto, a video art project by Berlin-based artist Julian Rosefeldt, Blanchett takes on 13 different personas including a school teacher, a newsreader and a taxi driver. She is unrecognisable, here, as a homeless man.

Rosefeldt’s film aims to “question the role of the artist in society today”.

Image: Twitter/ACMI

The Hollywood star is known for her chic brunette bob and natural beauty...

The Deuce is a TV movie set for release in 2016 about the rise of the porn industry in 1970s New York. Gyllenhaal has donned a peroxide permed wig for the role of Eileen 'Candy' Merrell. 

Suicide Squad is an 'anti super hero movie' due for release in August 2016. For the film, Delevingne sports a long black wig, new tattoos and a chain bikini, to transform herself into the 'Enchantress'. Terrifying.

The actress is famous for her pale, androgynous look...

"I’m delighted to say that I’m unrecognisable," she told The Huffington Post of her Hollywood makeover for Trainwreck.

The Oscar-winning actress, 56, was transformed into a 77-year-old prostitute for her latest role...

Thompson plays the mother of Robert Carlyle's character - despite there being only two years between them in real life.

Ever since the Friends-era 'Rachel cut' Jennifer Aniston has been known for her glossy mane...

But it was chopped off, dyed a dull shade of brown and she had prosthetic scars put all over her face for her gritty role in Cake.

The glamorous screen legend played mum to Amanda Seyfried's lead character in biopic Lovelace in 2013...

And took on one impressive perm.

In 2013, Jared Leto traded in a full beard and glossy locks...

...to become a trans woman with HIV in Dallas Buyers Club.

He lost 30 pounds for the part (as well as getting through a fair amount of razors).

The veteran actress earned an Oscar nomination for her role as a butler in the 2011 film Albert Nobbs...

She deserved it for the transformation alone.

The already petite star dropped 16 pounds and shaved her head for her starring role as destitute prostitute Fantine in the 2012 film version of Les Miserables...

 

She had just 20 days to shed the weight, as her character was fit and healthy at the start of the movie.

She won an Oscar for her authentic portrayal.

Before Anne, Natalie Portman went to extremes for her 2010 film Black Swan...

As well as losing 20 pounds, Portman had to learn punishing ballet routines.

"There were some nights that I thought I literally was going to die," she confessed of her gruelling regime to prep for the role.

Another Best Actress Oscar well-earned.

In 2007, Cate Blanchett looked like this.

Then she took on the challenge of playing Bob Dylan...

Just, wow.

The famously glamorous singer shocked the world when she really toned it down for her part in Precious...

"It was cool because a lot of people say they don't recognise me in the film," Carey said.

In 2003, Nicole Kidman braved a prosthetic nose and brunette wig for her take on Virginia Woolf...

She reportedly loved wearing the nose off set too, as it meant the paparazzi didn't notice her as often.

The actress' model looks were brutalised for her role as prostitute Aileen Wuornos in the 2003 blockbuster Monster...

That stare is just the icing on the cake.

The Hollywood favourite packed in 12 courses a day to gain weight for her 2001 role in Bridget Jones's Diary..

But quickly shed the weight after the film.

She said: "On one side it's fantastic because you get to go back to taking care of yourself, so you feel wonderful, but the first lap around the track I felt like I had a toddler on my back."