Anne Hathaway weight loss: actress had to stop eating for 13 days for her role in Les Misérables

Anne Hathaway, who plays Fantine in the hotly anticipated Les Misérables, took the opportunity to open up about starving herself for the role in a new photo shoot.

Anne Hathaway shed 25 lbs to portray the poverty-stricken factory worker forced to turn to prostitution, and it was no easy task.

She told the new issue of The Hollywood Reporter: “I just had to stop eating all for a total of 13 days shooting.”

Anne Hathaway shed the weight in two stages: she dropped 10 lbs in three weeks before filming, and then 15 lbs during production.

But Anne Hathaway was dedicated from the start – even before she landed the role.

The actress said: “There was resistance because I was between their ideal ages for the parts – maybe not mature enough for Fantine but past the point where I could believably play [Fantine’s daughter] Cosette (portrayed by Amanda Seyfried).

“And I did what I do when I really want a role: I got fiery and told my agent, <<Just get me in the room>>.”

The eerie images accompanying the interview see a barefoot Anne lead her co-stars Amanda, Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Eddie Redmayne and Samantha Barks.

Les Misérables hits cinemas on Christmas Day. The new issue of The Hollywood Reporter is out on December 14.