The film: Fantastic Four/Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer (2005/2007)

The trooper: Michael Chiklis

The makeup: Chiklis spent months under latex rock designs to play Ben Grimm’s alter ego.

War story: “The first time the face was applied in the first test for the original, it took 5, 5 ½ hours to apply,” says Chiklis. “And we got it down to two hours 15 minutes and now we get it on in roughly one hour 15 minutes. Less time spent with people poking you in the eye is a good thing!

“I dealt with it through comedy. I end up ranting schtick and making them laugh while they attack me physically. I quote Little Britain and my favourite comedy bits: ‘I look a pillock!’ I think it’s brilliant. I was turned on to it by Wendy, one of the make-up people, has it on DVD and we watch it in the trailer.”