At IGN Fan Fest 2026, Bob Odenkirk discussed his approach to portraying Ulysses in the new action thriller Normal, emphasizing the importance of showing genuine pain and exhaustion. Odenkirk, known for the physicality he brings to his roles, shared why he insists on doing his own stunts to bring realism to his character’s struggles.
“I like doing my own fighting. And if I’m doing my own fighting, they can keep the camera on me and I can play the guy. I can do his expressions,”
Odenkirk explained.
“I wanted to play a guy who actually got hurt, who actually got worn down as you watch the movie. He gets tired. He gets hurt. He gets dinged up because I just feel like that is actually not something you’ve seen a lot of. Action stars that I know of, I don’t know all of them, but the ones that I know are somewhat… they’re machines. They never really get hurt. They never accrue damage. And I wanted to play a guy who in these movies starts with a little bit of self-doubt and also accrues damage along the way.”
About Ulysses and the Town of Normal
In Normal, Odenkirk’s character, Ulysses, is a man appointed as a temporary sheriff in Normal, Minnesota, only to discover that the quiet town offers far more danger and complexity than he anticipated. This role marks a shift from typical invincible action heroes, portraying a vulnerable yet determined man navigating difficult circumstances.
Comparing Ulysses with Hutch Mansell from Nobody
Odenkirk also compared Ulysses to Hutch Mansell, his character from the Nobody films, highlighting subtle differences in their motivations and emotional states.
“Both guys are, for different reasons, holding back their reactionary impulses. In the case of Hutch, he’s doing it to present as a family man and to live that life, to live a double life, forcing himself to hold that in. So that’s nobody. In Normal, here’s a guy who’s a little bit broken when we meet him. And it’s because he made a choice once before that just destroyed his life that he had, his perfect life. And so he’s just gotten gun-shy. But believe me, by the end of the movie Normal, he’s not gun-shy any longer. Is he gun-crazy? A little bit. He’s a little bit gun-crazy.”
Film Details and Supporting Cast
Directed by Ben Wheatley, Normal features a compelling cast including Henry Winkler and Lena Headey. The movie is scheduled for release in theaters on April 17, offering audiences an intense, emotionally charged action experience that challenges traditional depictions of the genre’s heroes.
Significance of Odenkirk’s Approach to Action Roles
Bob Odenkirk’s portrayal of Ulysses in Normal brings a fresh perspective to the action star archetype by embracing vulnerability and the physical toll of violence. His insistence on authenticity through performing his own stunts enhances the emotional impact and realism of the film, potentially influencing how action characters are depicted in the future. With the film’s upcoming release, viewers can expect a visceral, nuanced exploration of pain and resilience within an action-packed narrative.
