Weapons star Julia Garner looks unrecognizable as she plays fraudster
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Julia Garner looked dramatically different from her usual self when she was spotted in Vancouver, Canada, on Wednesday.

The 31-year-old actress, currently starring in the blockbuster horror film Weapons, has swapped her usual tightly curled blonde tresses for long wavy brunette hair to portray the convicted cryptocurrency fraudster Caroline Ellison.

Julia Garner, who has also been chosen to play Madonna in an anticipated biopic that has faced delays, teamed up with her co-star Anthony Boyle. Boyle takes on the role of Sam Bankman-Fried, the founder of the FTX cryptocurrency exchange, now a convicted felon. Together, they shot scenes for the upcoming Netflix adaptation of The Altruists, which explores the collapse of the exchange and their close relationship.

Garner mimicked Ellison’s ultra-casual style with a tan-and-green pullover atop a simple white shirt.

Her costume included black Asics trainers, and she appeared to be made up modestly.

In another shot, the Ozark star was outfitted with thick black plastic-frame glasses to mimic Ellison’s prominent eyewear.

Julia Garner looked dramatically different from her usual self when she was spotted in Vancouver, Canada, on Wednesday; seen with costar Anthony Boyle

She's playing convicted crypto fraudster Caroline Ellison (R) in the Netflix adaptation of The Altruists; pictured in October 2023 in NYC

Julia Garner was barely recognizable as she was seen in Vancouver, Canada, on Wednesday. She is set to portray the convicted crypto fraudster Caroline Ellison (shown right) in the Netflix adaptation of The Altruists.

Garner had traded her standard tightly curled blond locks for long brunette waves to play Ellison; pictured with Weapons costar Josh Brolin on August 4 in NYC

Garner had traded her standard tightly curled blond locks for long brunette waves to play Ellison; pictured with Weapons costar Josh Brolin on August 4 in NYC

Boyle was also dressed casually, in line with how Bankman-Fried was normally attired before he began regularly wearing suits for his court dates.

The Irish actor sported a mass of messy dark curls and wore a pale-gray sweatshirt over a burgundy T-shirt, along with rumpled khakis and white athletic shoes.

The Altruists is written and executive produced by Graham Moore, who also serves as co-showrunner with EP Jacqueline Hoyt. 

Barack and Michelle Obama are also executive producers via their production company Higher Ground, which has a multi-year deal with Netflix.

FTX, which is now bankrupt, was a cryptocurrency and exchange and hedge fund that was founded by Bankman-Fried and Gary Wang in 2019, before its collapse just three years later. 

Ellison, who served as the CEO of FTX’s sister company, the crypto trading company Alameda Research, testified that she had worked with Bankman-Fried to illegally funnel customer funds from FTX into Alameda, which were used to pay off the trading company’s loans. 

After the misuse of funds was first reported on, the rival cryptocurrency exchange Binance announced it was selling all of FTX’s crypto coins that it held, which led multiple FTX investors to try to withdraw their funds. 

In addition to propping up Alameda, Bankman-Fried was accused of using billions in customers’ money to fund his lavish lifestyle, which allowed him to gain influence with other high-profile industry figures and politicians. 

Garner wore a casual costume to mimic Ellison's usual look, while her costar Boyle approximated the messy style of convicted fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried

Garner wore a casual costume to mimic Ellison’s usual look, while her costar Boyle approximated the messy style of convicted fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried

Ellison (pictured in October 2023) pleaded guilty to fraud and multiple counts of conspiracy in exchange for testifying against Bankman-Fried and other FTX investors

Ellison (pictured in October 2023) pleaded guilty to fraud and multiple counts of conspiracy in exchange for testifying against Bankman-Fried and other FTX investors

Bankman-Fried was accused of illegally using FTX investor money to prop up its sister company, the crypto trading company Alameda Research, which Ellison was CEO of

 Bankman-Fried was accused of illegally using FTX investor money to prop up its sister company, the crypto trading company Alameda Research, which Ellison was CEO of

Ellison earned a relatively light two-year sentence, though she was also required to pay back $11 billion. She is expected to be released in April 2026

Ellison earned a relatively light two-year sentence, though she was also required to pay back $11 billion. She is expected to be released in April 2026

Ellison managed to secure a plea deal in exchange for testifying against Bankman-Fried and other FTX executives, under which terms she pleaded guilty in December 2022 to charges of wire fraud, multiple counts of conspiracy to commit wire fraud, conspiracy to commit commodities fraud, conspiracy to commit securities fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. 

She received a relatively light two-year prison sentence, and according to the Bureau of Prisons, she is currently slated to be released in April of 2026. 

However, Ellison will also be required to pay $11 billion in fines.

At his trial, Bankman-Fried pleaded not guilty to seven counts of fraud and conspiracy, but a jury convicted him of all the charges in November 2023. 

In March 2024, he was sentenced to 25 years in prison and required to pay over $11 billion in fines, though he is currently appealing his conviction. 

Garner’s turn playing Ellison on screen comes after she starred in the horror hit Weapons.

The film was well-reviewed, earning an impressive 87 percent fresh rating from the most prestigious critics surveyed by Rotten Tomatoes, and it has so far earned an impressive $100 million at the global box office against a relatively modest $38 million budget since debuting in theaters on August 8. 

The film, which is written and directed by Barbarian filmmaker Zach Cregger — formerly a member of the sketch comedy troupe The Whitest Kids U Know — stars Garner as a third-grade teacher who arrives at school one day to find that only one of her students has showed up for class. 

Bankman-Fried (pictured in June 2023) was convicted on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was also required to pay back $11 billion

Bankman-Fried (pictured in June 2023) was convicted on seven counts of fraud and conspiracy and sentenced to 25 years in prison. He was also required to pay back $11 billion

Garner is coming off back-to-back blockbusters after leading the horror hit Weapons (pictured) and playing the Silver Surfer in Marvel's Fantastic Four reboot

Garner is coming off back-to-back blockbusters after leading the horror hit Weapons (pictured) and playing the Silver Surfer in Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot

Police discover that that the other 17 children all mysteriously woke up and ran out of their homes into the night at exactly 2:17 a.m., but where they went — and what happened to them — remains a mystery.

Josh Brolin, who is also an executive producer on Weapons, costars as a parent who lashes at at Garner’s character after his son was one of her students who disappeared.

The large cast also features Alden Ehrenreich, Marvel star Benedict Wong, Euphoria actor Austin Abrams and Oscar-nominee Amy Madigan. 

Garner has had back-to-back blockbusters in just weeks, as she also starred as the Silver Surfer in Marvel’s Fantastic Four reboot.

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