Why did Benedict Cumberbatch call Hollywood a “grossly wasteful industry”?

Popular Hollywood actor Benedict Cumberbatch has raised his voice against the huge amount of waste in the film and television industry, especially food waste.

In a recent conversation on ‘Ruthie’s Table 4’ podcast, the ‘Doctor Strange’ star opened up about the harsh realities behind the scenes of movie-making and how the industry’s practices are far from sustainable.

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Cumberbatch, who is well known for his strong screen presence and physical roles, spoke honestly about the strict diet and training he had to follow for his Marvel character. To get the superhero body, he had to eat five full meals a day, along with frequent snacks such as boiled eggs, cheese, crackers, and almonds.

Even though the training helped him gain strength and look the part, he admitted the process felt wrong.

“The exercise is great, and you feel strong and confident,” he said, “But it’s horrific. I don’t like it. Eating more than your body needs. It’s just not natural.”

He went on to say that the food he had to consume in a single day could probably feed a whole family. This realization made him question how responsible the industry really is. “It’s just like, what am I doing?” he reflected. “I could feed a family with the amount I’m eating.”

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But it’s not just about food. According to Benedict Cumberbatch, the waste in Hollywood goes much further.

“Think about the sets that aren’t reused or recycled. Think about the transport, the lights, the energy needed to make a studio look like daytime. It’s massive,” he said.

He pointed out how much electricity is used to maintain lighting in controlled environments and how even the temporary housing for cast and crew adds to the environmental impact. All of this, he said, makes Hollywood a “grossly wasteful industry.”

Cumberbatch also mentioned how actors often receive criticism when they speak up about climate issues or waste in the industry. But that hasn’t stopped him from trying to bring change wherever he can, especially in the productions he is in as both actor and producer.

He believes in small but meaningful changes on set, like getting rid of single-use plastic. “We don’t need to be handing out plastic water bottles anymore,” he said. “Unless you’re filming in the middle of the desert, we should be doing better. We’re in the 21st century.”

While Cumberbatch understands that some things are difficult to avoid in film production, he believes it’s time to think more about sustainability.