Anne Hathaway In 'Les Misérables': Learn About Her Most Demanding Role Yet [TRAILER]

As the highly anticipated "Les Misérables" is slated to premiere Christmas this year, Anne Hathaway opens up about her role as Fantine in the film.

In preparation of her role as Fantine, a young mother turned prostitute suffering from tuberculosis in 1800's Paris, Anne Hathaway not only cut her long, flowing brunette locks, but also took on an extreme diet plan that borders madness.

According to Hathaway, "I had to be obsessive about it-- the idea was to look near death. Looking back on the whole experience-- and I don't judge it in any way-- it was definitely a little nuts. It was definitely a break with reality, but I think that's who Fantine is anyway.

"I was in such a state of deprivation-physical and emotional. When I got home, I couldn't react to the chaos of the world without being overwhelmed [...] It took me weeks till I felt like myself again," Anne Hathaway adds.

Dropping an additional 25 pounds from her already slim figure, initial rumors of her diet even suggested that Anne Hathway had an intake of no more than 500 calories a day in order to achieve effective weight loss in a short amount of time. According to a statement from Hathaway's rep to The Huffington Post, a special diet regime was required but the 500 calorie ceiling was "a huge exaggeration."

Except it wasn't huge at all. According to Vogue, Anne Hathaway first lost 10 pounds via a "strict cleanse" before shooting for "Les Misérables" began. Later, Hathaway lost another 15 pounds by adopting a diet of dried squares of oatmeal paste.

Recalling her career, Hathaway said, "The first time I really threw everything into a part, which was when I did "Rachel Getting Married," there was no one waiting for me when I got back. This time, Adam was there. He gets what I do and who I am and supports me in it, and that's pretty awesome," she told the magazine.

Adam Schulman, her husband, supported Hathaway through the months of shooting that left her in a physical and emotion drain.

Learn more about Anne Hathaway's experience in "Les Misérables" when the December issue of Vogue hits stores Nov. 20. Anne Hathaway graces the cover of the magazine's latest issue.

Be sure to watch "Les Misérables" in theaters this Christmas, December 25, 2012.