Alexander Skarsgard went on an insane 7,000-calorie-per-day diet to get in shape for 'Tarzan'

Getting in shape for a movie is no easy feat. 

Alexander Skarsgard, who spends most of the upcoming "The Legend of Tarzan" shirtless, had to do a lot of work to get 8-pack abs.

According to Mr. Porter, as reported by PEOPLE, Skarsgard consumed 7,000 calories per day during the eight weeks of preparation leading up to the shoot as well as the four months of filming. To put that into perspective, the U.S. government recommends that an active male ages 36-40 consumes around 2,800 calories per day.

He embarked on a very strict "sugar-, gluten-, wheat-, dairy- and alcohol-free diet of six smaller meals per day alongside his twice-daily training sessions."

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, "Tarzan" co-star Margot Robbie remembers seeing how excited he got on the day he was allowed to eat an apple.

When he was allowed to eat normally again, Skarsgard went on a well deserved pasta binge. 

“I spent four days just in bed, being fed by Dad,” Skarsgard said. “He cooked these pastas with rich sauces and bone marrow and fried mozzarella and tons of beer and wine. It was the most incredible weekend of my life.”

"The Legend of Tarzan" will be out in theaters on July 1.

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