[NEWS] How Jen Went from 'Raunchy Dentist' in Horrible Bosses 2 to being a 'Painkiller Addict' in Cake

article by: Abby Stern

PEOPLE magazine

Jason Bateman & Jennifer hosting the American Cinematheque Special Screening of "CAKE".

"The transformation was no easy task," said the actress. Who is currently known as Dr. Julia Harris; a sex-crazed dentist, in the Horrible Bosses comedy/crime sequels, but it's her dark turn as a chronic pain sufferer as Claire in drama film Cake that gaining the actress early Oscar Buzz. "I was committed to everything about the role," Aniston admitted, "from the first time I sat down with film's direction Daniel Barnz. "I said to him, 'I have a whole plan.' He allowed me to go where I wanted to go, and w were together every step of the way when it came to the creative process," she explained to an audience during a Q&A (question and answer) following the American Cinematheque screening of Cake, moderated by her close friend and Horrible Bosses 2 co-star actor/comedian Jason Bateman. "Well, first it was just understanding the logistics: what the accident was, where did the pain exist, what was the injury - getting into her [Claire's] voice, into her body," revealed Aniston. Part of Jennifer's transformation included gaining a total of 20lbs extra pounds, no exercise, no make-up - with exception of the large facial scar on the left side of her character's cheek, compliments of the make-up team, and baggy clothing. A HUGE difference than the actress's red carpet glam style. 

Jason & Jennifer at the Horrible Bosses 2 premiere.

Jennifer at the Cake screening.

"Even when I wasn't filming it was difficult for me to let go of my character. I mean, I kind of was in that place for the five weeks we were shooting," Aniston continued. Being such close pals, Bateman couldn't resist jumping in with a witty remark - "Poor Justin." Luckily, the darkness of Aniston's role didn't affect the couple, because her fiance screenwriter/actor Justin Theroux was going through a similar process on the opposite end of the globe. "I was thankfully shooting my happy show, the second season of The Leftovers, on the East Coast, so we were both just really happy campers," said Justin. It may seem like Aniston has conquered it all, but when asked by the audience if there was any role she hadn't played that she'd still like to tackle, she had an immediate response. "I want to be a superhero," declared Jennifer. While no superhero movie is in the works (yet), Aniston has been busy promoting Horrible Bosses 2 with Bateman. When the audience asked Aniston what it was like to work with the Arrested Development funnyman and the rest of the cast, Bateman was curios to know the answer too. "This is a great question," he responded. Instead of a funny answer, Jennifer gave a heartfelt response. "I had the time of my life. Honestly, it was like Christmas came early." Before Jen could get too happy Jason cut her off returning the praise as well as giving parents a warning. "She's so funny in the second one. I mean she was great in the first one, but, as a result, we said, 'Well, let's get more of Jen in the second one.' Note to the parents: Don't take your kids to the second one."