Edward Norton, a highly versatile and celebrated actor, filmmaker, and producer, is renowned for his powerful portrayals in movies such as American History X and Fight Club, which have garnered him numerous Oscar nominations. Additionally, Norton is acknowledged for his dedication to environmental causes and advocacy efforts.
In the historical epic Kingdom of Heaven, Edward Norton assumed the role of King Baldwin IV. His performance, often concealed behind a mask throughout the film, was marked by its subtlety and profound depth. Despite having a limited on-screen presence, Norton’s interpretation contributed a poignant and unforgettable dimension to the film’s intricate storyline.
Edward Norton Sheds Light On His Uncredited Role
In an interview with The Guardian, Edward Norton was questioned about his involvement in Ridley Scott’s director’s cut of Kingdom of Heaven. The inquiry touched on the circumstances of his participation, his absence from the credits, and the challenges he faced while delivering a performance concealed behind a mask.
In response, Edward Norton expressed his curiosity about Ridley Scott’s director’s cut of the film and speculated that it might be superior to the final release. He sympathized with Ridley Scott and Bill Monahan, emphasizing the quality of the original script and the need for a longer runtime. Norton criticized the corporate-driven decision to shorten the film, believing it hindered its potential for excellence. Although not deeply involved, he observed these dynamics from an external perspective.
Edward Norton revealed that he and Ridley Scott had discussed collaborating on a film for an extended period, although it hadn’t materialized. When offered a role in Kingdom of Heaven, he couldn’t commit due to prior obligations. However, Norton inquired about the character behind the mask and learned that Ridley planned to cast someone capable of emulating James Mason’s voice.
Norton told The Guardian:
“I was just curious about whether the process was extremely different when there’s that much going on, and he’s a guy who clearly knows how to make films at that scale and is comfortable with it, and I just wanted to see how he worked. And I got to do that, and it was well worth it. And I remained uncredited because it would have spoiled it, I think.”
Kingdom of Heaven managed to rake in a sum of $218 million at the global box office. Domestically, the film made just above $47 million.
Edward Norton Turned Down A Role In Avatar 2
Edward Norton received an offer to join James Cameron’s film Avatar: The Way of Water. However, he declined the offer because it didn’t align with his preferred role. While the part of the antagonist was proposed to Norton, he had his heart set on playing a Na’vi character in the film.
Edward Norton, a devoted admirer of the original movie, harbored a strong desire to portray a Na’vi, the humanoid species from the film. Unfortunately, James Cameron had a different character in mind for Norton. Given Norton’s unwavering determination to play a Na’vi, Cameron ultimately had to abandon the idea of casting him in the film.
Kingdom of Heaven is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Source: The Guardian
