Jude Law Made Himself Literally Smell Like Sh** For His Next Movie

Oscar-nominated English actor Jude Law plays King Henry VIII in a new film called Firebrand, and to get into character, he made himself literally smell like sh**. Why? King Henry VIII was known to have had a rotting leg that people could smell from some ways off.

Law said during a Cannes Film Festival press conference for Firebrand that he wore a specially made perfume that was designed to smell like a blend of "blood, fecal matter, and sweat."

Law plays King Henry VIII in the movie Firebrand, which documents the king's final days. He was severely injured in a jousting accident, and this led to his deteriorating leg.

"I read several interesting accounts that you could smell Henry three rooms away. His leg was rotting so badly. He hid it with rose oil," Law said, as reported by Variety. "I thought it would have a great impact if I smelt awful."

Law said he initially only used the perfume "very subtly." However, he later became emboldened and sprayed it everywhere. "It became a spray-fest," he said.

Director Karim Aïnouz said the moment that Law walked on set, his stench became apparent." It was just horrible," the director said.

Law earned Oscar nominations for Cold Mountain and The Talented Mr. Ripley. He is also known for playing a young Albus Dumbledore in the Fantastic Beasts series. He recently starred in the Disney+ movie Peter Pan & Wendy as Captain Hook.