Edward Norton Reflects on Regrets About ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ Cult Classic

Edward Norton has consistently chosen a unique path in Hollywood. As one of the most esteemed actors of his generation, he has often opted for projects with care, and some of his high-profile roles haven’t aged as well as he might have wished. However, this year, he reminded audiences why he is held in such high regard.

The catalyst for this resurgence is ‘The Invite,’ Olivia Wilde’s dramedy that premiered at Sundance in January and hit theaters on June 26. Norton stars alongside Seth Rogen, Wilde, and Penélope Cruz as part of a couple attending a dinner party that takes a chaotic turn. He has expressed that this project reignited his passion for acting, with critics noting his ability to walk the fine line between charm and smarm.

Norton’s recent success has prompted a reevaluation of his past work. Far Out Magazine recently revisited the actor’s early-2000s choices, focusing on a film he wishes he had approached differently: Ridley Scott’s 2005 epic ‘Kingdom of Heaven.’ Initially panned by critics, the film has since gained a cult following.

In ‘Kingdom of Heaven,’ Norton portrayed King Baldwin IV, the leper king of Jerusalem, concealing his face behind a silver mask throughout the film, and he remained uncredited in promotional materials. His scenes took about two weeks to film, which allowed him to take on the role.

Norton was intrigued by Scott’s large-scale filmmaking process. In hindsight, he acknowledged he could have simply visited the set instead. He also mentioned that his uncredited status was intended to preserve the surprise of his character.

His disappointment wasn’t directed at the filmmakers. In a 2007 interview with The Guardian, he praised the screenplay and suggested that the film should have been longer, blaming studio decisions for the cuts. He argued that the poor performance of another lengthy film led executives to shorten the runtime.

The theatrical version of ‘Kingdom of Heaven’ ran for 2 hours and 24 minutes after 20th Century Fox mandated cuts of about 45 minutes. It received a 39% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed $218 million worldwide against a $130 million budget, initially seen as a disappointing follow-up to ‘Gladiator.’

Scott later released a director’s cut that runs 3 hours and 10 minutes, restoring lost subplots. This version has garnered acclaim as one of Scott’s finest films, with audience ratings significantly improved, as noted by Collider, which highlights a 72% audience rating. The re-release also renewed interest in Norton’s uncredited performance, with some critics now ranking it among his best.

Norton has a similar narrative with ‘Fight Club.’ On the ‘Fly on the Wall’ podcast this year, he recounted how the film was booed at its Venice premiere and underperformed at the US box office with $37 million domestically. It has since emerged as one of the most celebrated cult films of its time.

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