‘The Hulk’ Wants Mature Characters; Eric Bana Tackles Terrorism And Mid-Life Crisis With A ‘Hands-On Approach’

Eric Bana has played heroes on the screen. He was the 'Hulk' in 2003, and Hector alongside Brad Pitt's Achilles in "Troy." Now he wants to play more ordinary guys.

He wants to play characters who deal with the paranoia of terrorism, like his character in "Closed Circuit." He shares this in an interview with The Independent:

"Well, I've never considered myself as a leading man at all," he replies. "That is one pit I have absolutely no interest in climbing into. Certainly, I've never seen myself as an action star. I fired a gun in Munich, big deal. And then I played a scientist in Hulk, the computers did all the rest. It was a lot of standing around, it was the antithesis of action. Hector in Troy would be the only action role I've ever done, and I've never regretted that, too many people saw the movie and it's been really important to me.

"But psychological thrillers like Closed Circuit or Hanna are my favourite roles to do, actually. They're rare to find as they're not always easy to fund. Yet the public line up to see them. I would consider doing another superhero film I guess, but it would depend entirely on the role I'm offered. I'd only do films that I'd want to see myself, that's my rule, and what I get sent these days is much more character-driven.

He now has a hobby, that he claims is therapeutic because he uses his hands. He recommends it to cope with mid-life crisis.  "Do things with your hands, "he replies immediately. "No, not like that. Have a good hobby. Cars are mine. Hobbies are a great distraction if you're a guy, whether it's riding bikes or spending time in a garage. I think that using our hands is undervalued in our society and it's actually very important, very therapeutic."

 "To me working on a car is like gardening," he adds passionately, "it's no different, and that kind of thing is important to me. It's not the thrill-seeking, it's doing something different, using another skill set. At all stages of life it's very important to have something that isn't work that keeps you busy."