Jared Leto Made Himself Blind for 'Blade Runner 2049' in the Name of Method Acting

BY Josiah HughesPublished Sep 8, 2017

Reliably ridiculous alt-rock star and actor Jared Leto is, well, being ridiculous again. To promote his high-profile role in Blade Runner 2049, he appeared in a new piece for the Wall Street Journal. In addition to a truly mindblowing outfit, a cover story on Leto offered some tidbits about his method acting ways.

Director Denis Villeneuve told the publication that Leto actually blinded himself in order to fully embody his character in the film. "We all heard stories about Jared, how he transforms into the characters, but even this didn't prepare me for what was to come."

"He could not see at all. He was walking with an assistant, very slowly," Villeneuve added, saying that this was actually during Leto's first camera test and before filming had even begun. "It was like seeing Jesus walking into a temple. Everybody became super silent, and there was a kind of sacred moment. Everyone was in awe. It was so beautiful and powerful — I was moved to tears."

According to Leto, however, he could have gone further with his method preparation. "I didn't dive as deep down the rabbit hole as maybe I've done before."

Blade Runner 2049 opens on October 6.
 

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