Stuntman Terry Notary, known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), had distinct experiences working with Edward Norton and Tim Roth on “The Incredible Hulk.” Notary, who served as a choreographer and motion capture specialist for the film, highlighted the differences in their approach to special effects involvement.
In the movie, Tim Roth’s character, Emil Blonsky, transforms into the CGI villain known as the Abomination, while Edward Norton portrays the titular protagonist, Bruce Banner. Notary observed that Roth was actively engaged in the special effects process, ensuring his character and the effects looked good.
Conversely, Edward Norton’s commitment to the special effects work required to bring the Hulk to life was less enthusiastic. This disparity in their dedication to the process may have contributed to the divergence in their performances.
Ultimately, Edward Norton’s limited involvement in the special effects, coupled with other behind-the-scenes issues, led to his departure from the MCU and the subsequent casting of Mark Ruffalo as Bruce Banner in “The Avengers” (2012). Norton’s desire for diversity in his roles and reluctance to be typecast influenced his decision to explore opportunities in other projects like “Moonrise Kingdom,” “The Grand Budapest Hotel,” and “Birdman.” While Norton enjoyed playing Bruce Banner, he prioritized a varied body of work over the continuity of a single character.