Tim Roth to play "Hulk" heavy

(Reuters)
Updated: 2007-05-10 14:44

British actor Tim Roth, participates in a panel discussion at the Cable Television Critics Association press tour in Pasadena, California, in this July 12, 2006 file photo.[Reuters]

Tim Roth is in negotiations to star opposite Edward Norton and Liv Tyler in Marvel Studios' "The Incredible Hulk."

Roth would play Emil Blonsky, a vicious mercenary who turns into the Abomination, a gamma-spawned being stronger than the Hulk. Roth scored an Oscar nomination 11 years ago for his supporting turn as a villain in "Rob Roy."

The story begins with Bruce Banner (Norton) on the run, trying to avoid capture long enough to cure the condition that turns him into a monster. In comic book annals, the Abomination was a KGB agent who deliberately exposed himself to radiation to gain strength. The character, who was created in the 1960s, did not appear in the 2003 Ang Lee movie "Hulk."

Shooting for the new "Hulk" is slated to begin in June in Toronto. Universal Pictures will distribute. Louis Leterrier is directing.

Roth next stars in Francis Ford Coppola's "Youth Without Youth," which was just picked up by Sony Pictures Classics. He also will co-star in "Funny Games" opposite Naomi Watts for Warner Independent. The film will be released in January.