A photo series has shown the dramatic transformation that Val Kilmer undergoes to become one of the country's most famous authors, Mark Twain. Over the course of two hours, Kilmer has prosthetics, hair, makeup, and a very Twain-like moustache applied until only his eyes reveal his true identity.

The transformation is for Citizen Twain, a one-man show currently playing at the Pasadena Playhouse in California. "There's a part of the makeup that starts to become the way I understand Mark Twain," Kilmer tells the LA Times, "he's old in my story ...  old people are often frustrated because their movement becomes restricted." You can see the full transformation take place in a 28-photo album over on Imgur.