The Avengers Ed Norton

[WillardNation]

^^^^couldn't agree more

 

[jadejaws]

perfectly put. if there isnt some sort of petition, there should be, tell marvel that the people want norton, and hel apologize, granted, if norton still doesnt want to do it, then that sucks, but still.

Does anyone here know how to set something like that up?

 

[FaT_tONle]

I hope you're right.

I just posted this in the Hulk/Avengers thread but it probably should've gone here. Comic Con interview clip with Kevin Feige...

When asked if he was currently in a "good place" with Edward Norton, Feige demurred and said, "ask him."

So many ways to answer that if things were even OK with Norton. Feige needs to suck it up and apologize big-time. Norton was clearly right judging by the brilliance of some of the deleted scenes in IH and by the final box office numbers. Feige and Marvel clearly decided to cut some character development out of IH because Ang Lee had left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. They were wrong to cut what they did. So, man up and beg Norton for another chance. Don't lose one of the greatest actors of our generation and the PERFECT Banner because of pride.

I really don't think the longer cut would have made much a difference with the box office. The reviews were still solid and I'm not sure how much better the WOM would have been even with a longer cut. It probably would have done a bit better on DVD nonetheless. I just don't see this deal getting done unless they already have something in place. Either that or they get a long term commitment from Norton, which would of course require a long term commitment from Marvel on a character that has failed twice.

 

[Aztec]

1) Norton was clearly right judging by the brilliance of some of the deleted scenes in IH and by the final box office numbers. Feige and Marvel clearly decided to cut some character development out of IH because Ang Lee had left a bad taste in everyone's mouth. They were wrong to cut what they did.

2)So, man up and beg Norton for another chance. Don't lose one of the greatest actors of our generation and the PERFECT Banner because of pride.

I disagree with number one. I saw the deleted scenes and there was really nothing special there. The movie was pretty darn good as it was.

I strongly agree with number 2 though. Norton is a phenomenal actor (though he does appear to be a bit of a drama queen) and he was perfect as Bruce Banner. I really wouldn't want anyone else in the role for The Avengers.

 

[Son of Coul]

I don't get how people can define TIH as a "failure," like it bombed at the BO and with audiences or something. People liked it and it did just fine at the BO, just not a huge hit like Iron Man. Because it does moderately well doesn't mean it's a failure.

Also that quote from Feige is a good thing on my watch, because not only does he seem to be fine with Norton, but an earlier article from Comic Con showed he had interest in reusing him in their movies. Also a few months ago, Gale Ann Hurd said he had a multi-picture deal in his contract so if they do go for him in the future, it'll all be on him, and he's already said he doesn't want to be branded a "pain in the ass," so here's hopin' he comes around, assuming there is actually bad blood between them.

Remember that quote by him was during that period of time after summer where Marvel was reorganizing everything, was still pending on rehiring Jon Favreau and getting their **** together for their big game plan after their first two films. They seem much more organized and decisive now. So again, here's hopin'.

edit: And yeah, nothing special in the deleted scenes, with the exception of the alternate opening, which I thought should have preceded the opening credit montage. Everyone's like "OH it added so much character development!" Bull. The particular scene that comes to mind is the Samson/Bruce scene with the "aspects" line. Everyone was saying how it would have peered into Bruce's head, but it didn't, it was more a Samson scene than a Bruce one by far. Most were just pretty boring.

 

[FaT_tONle]

I don't get how people can define TIH as a "failure," like it bombed at the BO and with audiences or something. People liked it and it did just fine at the BO, just not a huge hit like Iron Man. Because it does moderately well doesn't mean it's a failure.

It may not have been a B.O flop, but it was a HUGE disappointment financially. Not even 250 WW. The DVD sales barely cracked the top 20 that year. Look at some of the movies ahead of it on DVD sales. Adding the profit, it barely reaches the 300 million mark between box office and DVD. That's only twice what it cost to make the film.

 

[jadejaws]

It may not have been a B.O flop, but it was a HUGE disappointment financially. Not even 250 WW. The DVD sales barely cracked the top 20 that year. Look at some of the movies ahead of it on DVD sales. Adding the profit, it barely reaches the 300 million mark between box office and DVD. That's only twice what it cost to make the film.

Lets keep in mind that Blu Ray was not added into TIH's total DVD sales. I remember clearly reading that while they didn't have actual numbers, the Hulk was number 1 in Blu Ray sales for a few weeks.

 

[topdog1]

I really don't think the longer cut would have made much a difference with the box office. The reviews were still solid and I'm not sure how much better the WOM would have been even with a longer cut. It probably would have done a bit better on DVD nonetheless. I just don't see this deal getting done unless they already have something in place. Either that or they get a long term commitment from Norton, which would of course require a long term commitment from Marvel on a character that has failed twice.

I certainly never called the box office a failure and my point was that the shorter cut didn't lead to a record box office by any means. So, there was no need to cut some of the development. A deeper film may have actually helped the box office. I only mentioned it because I hope Marvel learned their lesson. Don't take a page out of the Fox playbook and make a film short so they can show it more, it only hurts the bottom line in the long run. It seems Norton knows this to be true.

I can't understand how anyone could watch some of those deleted scenes and not be upset that they were cut. I'm not talking the pizza delivery stuff or even the Samson stuff, I'm talking the Betty/Bruce relationship stuff and the military stuff. I didn't mean to turn an Avengers board in to an IH rehash but it literally hurts when you watch those scenes and release what a masterpiece IH could and should have been. I really liked the film as is but it goes to the next level with 20-30 of this stuff added on.

Watch them again these scenes NEEDED to stay:
Bruce and Betty Talk
Bruce’s Guilt* (Very emotional and very poignant. “I just keep asking myself what it was we were trying to accomplish that was worth all this?” It shows the true intellect and soul of Bruce Banner.)
Nature’s Mystery* (The worst cut of all. This one single scene perfectly fleshes out Thunderbolt Ross and elevates him to a three dimensional character.)
Motel Room Non Sex post Talk
On The Hulk Hunt* (It shows that the military aren’t a bunch of ignorant fools “failing to learn from our mistakes.” It also shows that Ross is using Blonsky and why he tolerates him.)
Ross & Sharr (A much more complex post capture scene.)

 

[Son of Coul]

As someone content with the final cut, I'll agree I wouldn't mind seeing those scenes you posted, except for "non sex post talk." All it really was was talking about how if he gets a scar, Hulk keeps it, but not vice versa if I remember correctly. That scene was like a Wikipedia page, it was just boring to me.

 

[FaT_tONle]

I certainly never called the box office a failure and my point was that the shorter cut didn't lead to a record box office by any means. So, there was no need to cut some of the development. A deeper film may have actually helped the box office. I only mentioned it because I hope Marvel learned their lesson. Don't take a page out of the Fox playbook and make a film short so they can show it more, it only hurts the bottom line in the long run. It seems Norton knows this to be true.

Longer cut = less screenings so who knows if the box office would have been any different. And I don't think Marvel is going to get on their knees to beg and plead Norton to come back. As someone said, this isn't the first time Norton was involved in re-writing a script, demanding extended re-cuts. If I am Marvel, I am not overpaying for Norton if it puts me over budget, and I am not giving him have more creative input (such as including more Banner/Hulk scenes or re-writing aspects of the script if it compromises other aspects of the film.

I can't understand how anyone could watch some of those deleted scenes and not be upset that they were cut. I'm not talking the pizza delivery stuff or even the Samson stuff, I'm talking the Betty/Bruce relationship stuff and the military stuff. I didn't mean to turn an Avengers board in to an IH rehash but it literally hurts when you watch those scenes and release what a masterpiece IH could and should have been. I really liked the film as is but it goes to the next level with 20-30 of this stuff added on.

You can say that for any movie you care about or loved. Longer the merrier. The question is how many people cared enough in the first place? Not many by the looks of it.

 

[Son of Coul]

http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/07/31/incredible-hulk-star-edward-norton-offers-firm-no-comment-on-the-avengers/

Edward Norton, who starred as Bruce Banner in last summer's "Incredible Hulk," previously expressed skepticism on whether he'll appear as the Jade Giant in "The Avengers," but Sci Fi Wire reports that the actor is currently keeping tight-lipped about the feather in Marvel's cap.

"I probably won't comment on that just because [Marvel] keeps a pretty tight rein on what they are letting out," Norton told reporters. "I'll let them [address it]."

Still, nothing's set in stone.

 

[FaT_tONle]

Maybe Norton hiding the fact that he has a role in an upcoming Marvel movie, or more likely, Norton simply acknowledging that negotiations just haven't commenced up until this point. Not looking good.

 

[dcHulk]

Maybe Norton denying the fact that he has a role in an upcoming Marvel movie, or more likely, Norton simply acknowledging that negotiations just haven't commenced up until this point. Not looking good.

Although I agree with you, I'm going to hope for the best. That is, Norton simply doesn't want to spoil the surprise. It seems to me from his statement that he knows what Marvel is wanting to do.

 

[Son of Coul]

Well they expressed interest in bringing him back, hopefully if they have discussed it, he's withholding something good.

 

[Aztec]

Although I agree with you, I'm going to hope for the best. That is, Norton simply doesn't want to spoil the surprise. It seems to me from his statement that he knows what Marvel is wanting to do.

Me too. I take his silence here as a positive.

 

[WillardNation]

Me too. I'll probably be pretty upset if he doesn't come back.

 

[Sarg92]

I too take Norton's comment as a positive.

If the rumour of Norton having a role in Iron Man 2 is true then I guess Norton would want to keep quiet on anything relating him to Marvel films because he wants to keep the surprise under wraps and it is down to Marvel to release any sort of information regarding their projects.

But what I find more likely is that there may have been some early talks between Norton and Marvel but nothing concrete. A script isn't even written yet for The Avengers so I doubt Norton would sign up for the heck of it for a project that isn't even under way yet.

Captain America hasn't started prep work and nor has it got one actor signed up. And it is released a whole year earlier than The Avengers. So if there is nothing set in stone for Captain America yet then I expect the same for The Avengers.

Everything is early days for The Avengers at this moment.

 

[Aztec]

I too take Norton's comment as a positive.

If the rumour of Norton having a role in Iron Man 2 is true then I guess Norton would want to keep quiet on anything relating him to Marvel films because he wants to keep the surprise under wraps and it is down to Marvel to release any sort of information regarding their projects.

But what I find more likely is that there may have been some early talks between Norton and Marvel but nothing concrete. A script isn't even written yet for The Avengers so I doubt Norton would sign up for the heck of it for a project that isn't even under way yet.

Captain America hasn't started prep work and nor has it got one actor signed up. And it is released a whole year earlier than The Avengers. So if there is nothing set in stone for Captain America yet then I expect the same for The Avengers.

Everything is early days for The Avengers at this moment.

All of this is true, but don't forget that Norton is signed to a 3 (I believe) film deal to star as Bruce Banner. So he is under contract in some way, shape, or form.

 

[Sarg92]

All of this is true, but don't forget that Norton is signed to a 3 (I believe) film deal to star as Bruce Banner. So he is under contract in some way, shape, or form.

But would you rather have Norton acting as Banner or would you want Norton being forced unwillingly to act as Banner?

I read that Norton was forced to star in The Italian Job because he was under contract to do one film for the studio producing the film (I think it was Paramount) and they put him in The Italian Job which he didn't even want to be a part of.

I haven't seen the film but apparently Norton gave a really crappy performance and the studio tried to make up with him by giving him a Mini Cooper for free but then he sent it back to them with a note saying something like "Give it to someone who actually likes you".

 

[Aesop Rocks]

Some speculation has been brought up that Skrulls could be used as an excuse for re-casts.

Like Terrance Howard was a Skrull Rhodes and I guess Cheadle is the real deal?

If they recast Norton and pull that Skrull excuse. I will probably end up crying.

 

[dcHulk]

But would you rather have Norton acting as Banner or would you want Norton being forced unwillingly to act as Banner?

I read that Norton was forced to star in The Italian Job because he was under contract to do one film for the studio producing the film (I think it was Paramount) and they put him in The Italian Job which he didn't even want to be a part of.

I haven't seen the film but apparently Norton gave a really crappy performance and the studio tried to make up with him by giving him a Mini Cooper for free but then he sent it back to them with a note saying something like "Give it to someone who actually likes you".

In my opinion, I wouldn't call it crappy, just average. More than that, anyone could have been put in his role in that movie and it work fine. So Norton didn't really spin it toward his talents. But it didn't make the movie bad, in fact I thought it was quite entertaining.

 

[WillardNation]

Some speculation has been brought up that Skrulls could be used as an excuse for re-casts.

Like Terrance Howard was a Skrull Rhodes and I guess Cheadle is the real deal?

If they recast Norton and pull that Skrull excuse. I will probably end up crying.

I REALLY hope they don't do that. It doesn't even really make sense, why would a skrull replace someone and not even look like them?

 

[Aesop Rocks]

I know right?

 

[FrostBite]

I find it a VERY good sign he's going with the "No comment." response. Now, I am not saying get your hopes up or anything, but normally if an actor has no interest in reprising I role, they'd just come out and say it, "No comment" implies that he's probably not allowed / doesn't want to get in trouble with the studio.

If he had no commitment to Marvel, why would he care what kind of "tight reign" they keep on their properties?

 

[Gamma Goliath]

I think Norton will be in, he said before he was passionate about this character, I think he's keeping quiet because he is still involved in this project and doesn't want to ruin any surprises.
And I think I read some where that he was working on like 3 other projects that come out consecutively, so he's a busy guy.
If there is a problem with marvel studios and ed, marvel needs to swallow their pride because they can't let this guy walk off this project because they made a mistake and won't admit it.