She-hulk’s CGI transformation was inspired by strawberries… Yes, you read that right

The CGI in there She-Hulk: Lawyer was one of the most talked about aspects of the series from the very first trailer, with many unkind references Shrek as a point of comparison. Most of those complaints calmed down once the show aired, and the smart writing made problems with effects easy to ignore.

The process of the titular heroine’s transformation from a cute, diminutive brunette into a towering green behemoth is a key element of the show, and it turns out the inspiration behind the process came from an unexpected but delicious place. Digital Domain’s Jan Philip Cramer spoke to ComicBook.com and revealed that Jen’s transformation from human to behemoth was inspired by…strawberries.

Cramer detailed the trials involved in navigating Jen’s journey as the Hulk without leaning towards the established norms of transformation. Most on-screen attempts are “pretty painful to the body,” adding that they’re often delivered by “breaking bones and resetting.” The team wanted to go in a different direction with She-Hulk, whose transformation is said to be “a pretty event, something beautiful that happens.”

This is where strawberries came into play. The team “got a hint of strawberry ripening early on,” and it provided just the inspiration they needed to turn Jen’s process into something “pretty” rather than “scary or awkward.” The strawberry ripening process is apparently “a very simple yet very elegant transformation” and perfectly reflects what the team wanted for She-Hulk. It gave them the reference they needed to really pay attention to the little details, “like little veins and little goosebumps,” without venturing into disruptive territory.

Digital Domain Animation Supervisor Elizabeth Bernard noted that the second episode features her favorite transformation, this time from She-Hulk back to Jen:

“She’s had a few glasses of whiskey by this point and he asks her to turn back into Jen so he can fire her and she just falls down right away because she can’t handle her alcohol at this point. That was such a fun scene to work on. I loved it.”

The show still has mediocre reviews on many aggregation sites, largely due to widespread backlash against the mere thought of a strong female lead in a Marvel release, but those who have enjoyed its unique taste of charm and humor have been vocal in its support .

If you want to witness Jen’s “pretty” transformations for yourself, the first season of She Hulk is available in its entirety on Disney Plus.