Christian Bale displays a noticeably slimmer figure during family getaway in Venice... after gaining 40lbs to play Dick Cheney for new film

By JABEEN WAHEED FOR MAILONLINE

Published: | Updated:

He gained 40 pounds to portray former US Vice President Dick Cheney in the upcoming biopic Backseat.

And Christian Bale, 44, proved he had dropped all the weight, as he sported a noticeable slimmer figure during a family getaway in Venice on Friday. 

Joining by his wife Sibi and children Emmeline, 13, and Joseph, 3, the acclaimed actor looked incredible in a buttoned down shirt and black shorts. 

Weight loss: Christian Bale, 44, proved he had dropped the 40lbs he gained for his role of Dick Cheney as he sported a noticeable slimmer figure during a family getaway in Venice on Friday

Weight loss: Christian Bale, 44, proved he had dropped the 40lbs he gained for his role of Dick Cheney as he sported a noticeable slimmer figure during a family getaway in Venice on Friday

Christian started packing on the pounds last year to take on the role of Dick in the upcoming flick Backseat.

And with filming having wrapped at the beginning of the year, the star looked back down to his healthy self - as was evident during his family stroll and boat ride in the Italian sunshine.  

As well as gaining weight, the always-committed star also shaved his head to play the part, in addition to shaving his beard.  

The plot of the forthcoming biopic follows the former Vice President on his rise through the political ranks on the way to becoming one of the most powerful members of George W Bush's cabinet.  

Method actor: Christian started packing on the pounds last year to take on the role of Dick in the upcoming flick Backseat (R)

Method actor: Christian started packing on the pounds last year to take on the role of Dick in the upcoming flick Backseat (R)

Family fun: Joining by his wife Sibi and children Emmeline, 13, and Joseph, 3, the acclaimed actor looked incredible in a buttoned down shirt and black shorts

Family fun: Joining by his wife Sibi and children Emmeline, 13, and Joseph, 3, the acclaimed actor looked incredible in a buttoned down shirt and black shorts

Loving life: With filming having wrapped at the beginning of the year, the star looked back down to his healthy self - as was evident during his family stroll and boat ride in the Italian sunshine

Loving life: With filming having wrapped at the beginning of the year, the star looked back down to his healthy self - as was evident during his family stroll and boat ride in the Italian sunshine

Transformation: As well as gaining weight, the always-committed star also shaved his head to play the part, in addition to shaving his beard

Transformation: As well as gaining weight, the always-committed star also shaved his head to play the part, in addition to shaving his beard

Storyline: The plot of the forthcoming biopic follows the former Vice President on his rise through the political ranks on the way to becoming one of the most powerful members of George W Bush's cabinet

Storyline: The plot of the forthcoming biopic follows the former Vice President on his rise through the political ranks on the way to becoming one of the most powerful members of George W Bush's cabinet

Bale is known for his extreme physical changes for roles.

Back in the early 2000s, he lost 62 lbs to star in 2004's The Machinist, before beefing up to an even heavier weight to play Batman's Bruce Wayne.

He also put on a number of pounds after finishing playing the lead in Christopher Nolan's superhero trilogy to star in David O Russell's American Hustle. 

Smitten: In December, Oscar-winning actor Christian got teary-eyed as he gushed about his wife Sibi, with whom he tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in January 2000

Smitten: In December, Oscar-winning actor Christian got teary-eyed as he gushed about his wife Sibi, with whom he tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in January 2000

Private life: He told Us Weekly: '[My wife] likes to be very private. And of course, I want to maintain that¿ but we have a great private life.'

Private life: He told Us Weekly: '[My wife] likes to be very private. And of course, I want to maintain that… but we have a great private life.'

Emotional: 'And I ¿ You¿re making me all tearful! I¿m too much of a softie! I don¿t think I am, but then you got me with that,' he continued 

Emotional: 'And I — You’re making me all tearful! I’m too much of a softie! I don’t think I am, but then you got me with that,' he continued 

Family: Christian and his wife have two children together - a daughter Emmaline, 13, and a son, Joseph, three

Family: Christian and his wife have two children together - a daughter Emmaline, 13, and a son, Joseph, three

Love at first sight: The couple met when Sibi, a former model, worked as Winona Ryder's personal assistant

Love at first sight: The couple met when Sibi, a former model, worked as Winona Ryder's personal assistant

Meanwhile, in December, Oscar-winning actor Christian got teary-eyed as he gushed about his wife Sibi, with whom he tied the knot in a romantic ceremony in January 2000.

He told Us Weekly: '[My wife] likes to be very private. And of course, I want to maintain that… but we have a great private life. 

'She’s probably the most strong woman I’ve ever come across in my life.

Family day out: The family of four appeared in good spirits as they laughed and joked with each other 

Family day out: The family of four appeared in good spirits as they laughed and joked with each other 

Cool down: Christian and his son took time to cool down as they used a nearby water fountain 

Cool down: Christian and his son took time to cool down as they used a nearby water fountain 

Having fun: The actor's youngest child decided to mischievously climb on top of some statues

Having fun: The actor's youngest child decided to mischievously climb on top of some statues

Doting dad: Christian carried his son and his pushchair into a water taxi
Doting dad: Christian carried his son and his pushchair into a water taxi

Doting dad: Christian carried his son and his pushchair into a water taxi

'And I — You’re making me all tearful! I’m too much of a softie! I don’t think I am, but then you got me with that!' 

Christian and his wife have two children together - a daughter Emmaline, 13, and a son, Joseph, three.

The couple met when Sibi, a former model, worked as Winona Ryder's personal assistant. 

Loved-up parents: The couple appeared in good spirits as they made their way across Venice

Loved-up parents: The couple appeared in good spirits as they made their way across Venice

Cruising: Christian and his son looked in good spirits as they sailed around 

Family fun: The actor was enjoying some quality time with his family 

Family fun: The actor was enjoying some quality time with his family 

Extreme: Bale is known for his extreme physical changes for roles and in the early 2000s, he lost 62 lbs to star in 2004's The Machinist

Extreme: Bale is known for his extreme physical changes for roles and in the early 2000s, he lost 62 lbs to star in 2004's The Machinist

Transformation: After beefing up to play the lead in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy (L) he packed on the pounds to star in David O Russell's American Hustle (R)

Transformation: After beefing up to play the lead in Christopher Nolan's Batman trilogy (L) he packed on the pounds to star in David O Russell's American Hustle (R)

ItalyChristian Bale

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