The Role Jennifer Lawrence Regrets: “I Kinda F*ed Myself”**

Jennifer Lawrence has built a career on taking on some of the most physically and psychologically demanding roles in Hollywood. From her harrowing performance in Mother! to leading the Hunger Games franchise as the fierce Katniss Everdeen, Lawrence has repeatedly pushed herself to her limits. But one role, in particular, stands out as the most challenging—and not in a way that Lawrence would readily embrace.

That role was Mystique in the X-Men franchise, a character that required a transformative and arduous physical process. The mutant shapeshifter, who could morph her body to take on any form, was brought to life by Lawrence in the 2011 film X-Men: First Class. Mystique’s signature look involved covering Lawrence’s entire body in layers of blue paint, a time-consuming and uncomfortable process that involved hours of makeup application—up to eight hours in the first film.

In hindsight, Lawrence described the experience as both physically grueling and mentally exhausting. “I kinda fucked myself,” Lawrence admitted when reflecting on her decision to reprise the role in later films. Despite the challenges, she acknowledged her love for the movies, but it was the arduous process of becoming Mystique that left her conflicted.

The physical toll wasn’t just in the long hours spent in makeup. The character’s makeup was also an intense process that required Lawrence to endure multiple layers of blue paint, scales, and other textures. As the franchise progressed, the makeup process was shortened to about three hours for subsequent films, but the discomfort remained, especially considering how frequently the paint would need to be reapplied.

In addition to the physical strain, there were unexpected logistical challenges. Lawrence revealed that the costume designers had a rather unconventional solution for when Mystique needed to relieve herself. “The guys who made it were like, ‘Well, she’s a girl. She doesn’t go to the bathroom. So, I pee standing up out of a funnel.’” It’s clear that the makeup wasn’t just a physical challenge—it came with practical difficulties that would be challenging for any actor, let alone one working for hours in full costume.

As Lawrence continued her work on the X-Men films, the effects of the chemicals used in the makeup became more pronounced. In earlier movies, Lawrence hadn’t thought much about the ingredients in the paints, but as she got older, she became more aware of the toll it could take on her body. “Now I’m almost 25 and I’m like, ‘I can’t even pronounce this and that’s going in my nose? I’m breathing that?’” she explained, adding that the realization made the process harder to bear.

Ultimately, despite her hesitations, Lawrence agreed to return for X-Men: Dark Phoenix in 2019, largely due to director Simon Kinberg’s persuasion and vision for her character. Kinberg’s approach made it easier for Lawrence to reconnect with Mystique, and she eventually found herself once again donning the blue body paint for her final appearance in the series. However, it was clear that the experience had left her with mixed feelings about the role she had once embraced.

Looking ahead, Lawrence’s career continues to evolve, with her next project set to be Die, My Love, a psychological thriller directed by Lynne Ramsay, where she stars alongside Robert Pattinson. As she moves beyond the grueling physical transformations of past roles, Lawrence seems ready for new challenges—ones that don’t involve spending hours in the makeup chair.

Jennifer Lawrence’s reflection on playing Mystique is a testament to her commitment to her craft, but also a reminder of the toll that physically demanding roles can take on an actor. While she may have once felt trapped by the character’s blue paint and uncomfortable costumes, her evolution as an artist shows that she’s ready to embrace the future—without having to compromise her comfort.