Liam Neeson was rumored to be sick after photos of his dramatic weight loss made the rounds on the tabloids. Now, the movie actor has opened up about the controversy.

Apparently, new look was tied to the Martin Scorsese film, "Silence," where the actor plays Father Cristóvão Ferreira.

According to Collider, Liam Neeson dropped about 20 pounds to take on the role for the movie, which was why he looked sickly when photographed round New York.

"Martin wanted us all to look a bit more gaunt, which [Adam Driver & Andrew Garfield] did as well. I know Adam went to the extreme. He's an ex marine and when he's given an order, he follows it through," he said.

Liam Neeson added, "He was like something out of Auschwitz. Martin requires this level of [dedication] and I think it pays off."

But why would Liam Neeson suffer through all that hard work and hunger pangs just for a weight loss?

"Who's going to turn down a job with Martin Scorsese?" Liam Neeson said during a press conference to promote the movie. "He's a very special director and for actors he's exceptional. His level of concentration and focus, what he prepares for the actors before you come on set is just wonderful."

When they got to the set, however, Liam Neeson said that they forgot about the drastic weight loss they went through for the movie role.

"Martin is intimidating." Liam Neeson quipped. "He's legendary - so as a performer you have to get over that. I had to get over that...He require[s] absolute silence on set, like everybody has to stop work when he's giving a direction or explaining a scene."

The "Taken" actor continued, while giving a whole new meaning to the title "Silence" as well, "I mean everybody - the guy that's painting 400 yards away has to stop. If he hears one tiny sound it's shattered for him so he commands that respect. He commands that silence and especially for this film it was necessary."