TIMBERLAKE TORTURED WITH ALPHA DOG BOOT CAMP

The cast of Alpha Dog were put through a rigorous training camp so they would bond.

Director Nick Cassavettes put his Alpha Dog actors Justin Timberlake, Emile Hirsch, Shawn Hatosy and Ben Foster through a rigorous and torturous weight lifting and cardio boot camp regime to create an instant bond between them.

The drill consisted of running the stairs in Santa Monica, pumping iron and boxing. Justin jokes that Nick tortured them.

“It was hell on earth but it was fun. I was up for it and I’m sure the other guys were too. It wasn’t easy but we all enjoyed it whether they say they did or not. I think we all enjoyed it. It was literally a training. We trained for three months hardcore. It really brought us closer together. We developed a sense of camaraderie and we had to.”

Even though the training was difficult the results provided an easy going friendship between the guys that has lasted off camera as well.

“You know these characters were based off of kids that grew up together and played little league together. They played football and baseball and basketball together. You can’t just create that sort of chemistry with someone you’ve never met so spending those three months consoling each other through that misery really helped us develop a chemistry.”

Justin has toured as a musician since he was 14 years old but says that experience pales physically to the tasking demands of the Alpha Dog boot camp.