Scanning right down to Mark Ruffalo’s fingerprints, the digital magicians created a digital version of the monster/superhero in The Avengers using ZBrush.

A new behind-the-scenes video from Industrial Light and Magic describes how the visual effects team built a CG version of actor Mark Ruffalo that maintained his unique look while transforming him onscreen into The Hulk for Marvel’s The Avengers.

ILM combined first created a series of 3D laser scans of Ruffalo’s head and body, with a level of detail that included separate scans for facial skin texture, teeth, and even fingerprints. Pores, scars, and other normal imperfections were included to add to the subliminal realism of the project. The scans were then integrated into 3D digital modeler ZBrush to create the CG version of Ruffalo as The Hulk. “He’s a really patient actor,” said ILM Visual Effects Supervisor Jeff White.

The insightful short video is now available on YouTube and is embedded below. ILM says a second video with more technical detail will be released shortly.