Role Recall: Edward Norton on Leonardo DiCaprio passing on 'Primal Fear,' his role in 'Fight Club' and more
Edward Norton told Yahoo Entertainment that his breakout role in the 1996 film "Primal Fear" came with the help of two famous friends. "I heard about it from Connie Britton," Norton said. "She went to a payphone and called me and said they're seeing people for this role ... and it's made for you." He was surprised pal Leonardo DiCaprio passed on the movie, but it turned out to be a career changer for Norton. "That did a weird thing to me because it was a once in a lifetime shot," he said. "I thought Leo was terrific. I thought he was one of the better young actors." Norton went on to receive his first Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for "Primal Fear." The actor, who has an incredible body of work, also talked to Yahoo about his roles in "American History X," "Fight Club" and "25th Hour," directed by Spike Lee. Norton gushed about Lee's process, and his ability to make the "25th Hour" in 26 days. "Seeing him make that movie, in that time, it completely rewrote my idea of what was possible." Norton added: "He turns this thing into an incredible piece of cinema." Norton also recalls starring opposite Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando in "The Score," Brando's last movie.
