Kenneth Branagh to direct Thor

[Vartha]

JMS has nothing but good things to say about the man
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2008/09/3...i-says-kenneth-branagh-perfect-for-thor-film/

 

[chamber-music]

The Incredible Hulk had a production budget of $150 million. It's worldwide box office was about $255.5 million.

Now before someone brings up the argument of most studios don't get most of the money in foreign box office, take into account that Universal itself or United International Pictures (which is a joint venture between Universal and Paramount) handled distribution for the Incredible Hulk in the largest markets in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Russia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Argentina, Norway, South Korea, Poland, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Taiwan, South Africa, Italy, Greece, Singapore, Germany so out of that $250 million, Universal/Marvel ended up getting about $200 million of it. That alone disqualifies the Incredible Hulk in unprofitable territory.

But lets not forget that Universal did sell distribution rights of the film to companies such as Sony in Spain and Japan, Paramount in France, Australia, and New Zealand, and other distributors in countries of Eastern Europe, China, India, etc.

Or all the licensing such as the Incredible Hulk toys by Hasbro, the Incredible Hulk video game by Sega, the Incredible Hulk book by Del Ray, and various other products such as clothing, calendars, lunchboxes, etc.

And to top it all off, the DVD and blu-ray

Yep

There are movies that get sequels off of strong DVD sales alone.

 

[chiefchirpa]

You mean like the Punisher?

Different budget bracket.

 

[Sarg92]

He's not committed. It's one of the negatives to his contract. He has no obligation to do an Avengers movie or another Hulk film, however unlikely the latter is.

I hear lots of people say that but there has been no article or report or quote to my knowledge that says Norton isn't contracted for other films. I know most of the cast is signed for three films like Roth,Hurt,Tyler,Burrel and Blake-Nelson and that Leterrier only was signed for one film (TIH) like most directors are but there hasn't been much word on Norton.

Now I know that when he made rewrites to Penn's script that he set out everything for a TIH franchise, three films. He intended TIH to be chapter 1 of the story and he didn't really make big changes because he couldn't cos of the time he was signed onto the project.

Now I am sure Norton would come back for TIH2 sequels or Avengers if he has control, if he can do what he wants (which is normally for the best). Norton is very smart and talented and it would be a blow if Marvel lose him.

Norton said in his last interview that he isn't sure what is happening to TIH or Avengers as he hasn't heard anything about it. The way he said it was that Marvel get all these characters together but don't really know what to do. They are rushing things. I mean they announced a 4 year slate right after Iron Man's opening weekend. They have no idea if they will be able to meet those dates. Even Favreau says IM2 will be a struggle to release on time. Marvel should have waited and took their time.

 

[Brian Braddock]

The thing that worries me about the Norton situation >if he isnt signed for to return< is the stories of the bad blood between himself and Marvel resulting from the theatrical cut of TIH.

Norton doesnt seem the type to suffer fools gladly or to be the forgiving type.

 

[FaT_tONle]

I have already accepted that Ed Norton will walk. His return would be a complete bonus... icing on the cake. As long as RDJ and the rest of the "trio" return along with Sam Jackson and other characters previously featured we'll be straight. I am not gonna get worked up with another Banner recast. You can find an equally capable actor in the role. Norton will demand too much control and the movie will struggle IMO do the the clashing egos between the studio/director/actors.

 

[Chewy]

If Norton doesn't come back they could just write him out. It'd be pretty easy to involve Hulk without involving Banner.

 

[Brian Braddock]

I guess it's the presige thing of it all though.

As comicbook fans, we want to be able to point to one of our movies and say to our sceptical friends 'Look at the A-list talent that they've got in this movie.

Norton's name alongside RDJ on the poster just fits.

 

[Sarg92]

Yep, they could just have Hulk in Avengers with no Banner but it would be a shame without Norton.

And the whole Norton vs Marvel thing was blown out of proportion by the media. Norton understood Marvel's decision for a shorter more action driven cut as he knew it would be a better business decision but as a filmmaker, Norton wanted a longer cut with more character scenes. That is all. Norton, Leterrier and some Marvel execs were talking about it, discussing it like and someone walked in saw what was happening, didn't understand it and knew Norton had a reputation on past films and made an big story outta it when it was just people discussing ideas like they do on all films.

 

[chamber-music]

They should just get Eric Bana back as Banner if Norton doesn't return.

Nortons on his way to getting the bad kind of reputation the likes of Mickey Rourke and Val Kilmer had. Doesn't matter how good an actor you are no director is gonna wanna work with someone if they are really difficult.

 

[Spider-Fan]

They should just get Eric Bana back as Banner if Norton doesn't return.

Nortons on his way to getting the bad kind of reputation the likes of Mickey Rourke and Val Kilmer had. Doesn't matter how good an actor you are no director is gonna wanna work with someone if they are really difficult.

Bad idea. This would only confuse people.

The reason Hulk would have been in Avengers in the first place was to be the Avengers' first fight as a team. Nothing more, imo. Losing the Hulk just means one less cool fight. I'd like Norton to come back, but if he doesn't, oh well. I liked TIH, a sequel to it is unlikely anyway, and we lose a cool fight. Not the worst thing they could lose.

 

[Ion Kenshin]

I am completly against Eric Bana as the Norton. My reasoning for this is IMO one of the draws for the Hulk for was seeing this somewhat frail scraggly guy turn into this giant hulking monster. To me it just loses some of its effect seeing a big guy turned into and even bigger guy

 

[Chewy]

They kind of have to bring Hulk back after the RDJ scene, imo. That could either be as a star with Norton returning or as a glorified cameo in the form of a fight as just the CG Hulk.

 

[chamber-music]

Well if they recast Banner it will only confuse people more anyway. They should just let Norton release his cut on DVD to shut him up. That should keep him happy

 

[Spider-Fan]

They kind of have to bring Hulk back after the RDJ scene, imo. That could either be as a star with Norton returning or as a glorified cameo in the form of a fight as just the CG Hulk.

Just having a CG Hulk is not a bad idea, but people will want to see Banner in that case.

Well if they recast Banner it will only confuse people more anyway. They should just let Norton release his cut on DVD to shut him up. That should keep him happy

Using a new actor is not as confusing as using an actor from a movie that no longer counts. That's like Bale leaving after TDK and them casting Michael Keaton again. Confusing.

 

[Marz69]

Just having a CG Hulk is not a bad idea, but people will want to see Banner in that case.

And to get him angry Thor could just hit Banner over the head with a hammer. t:

I am completly against Eric Bana as the Norton. My reasoning for this is IMO one of the draws for the Hulk for was seeing this somewhat frail scraggly guy turn into this giant hulking monster. To me it just loses some of its effect seeing a big guy turned into and even bigger guy

Norton did make a good Banner. I just don't want to go backward with Bana. It will be a mess. Find a way to get him back or just use Hulk or recast (last possible option)

 

[Ronny Shade]

With the success of Iron Man, I'd bet that Marvel is willing to spend a bit more money on the project to get it done right. Blake can easily be set up for a sequel.

And honestly, Marvel needs to push the Avengers back so that we can have sequels to Thor and the Incredible Hulk dammit

I'd agree with you if Incredible Hulk didn't suck so hard

 

[Project862006]

what are you talking about lol incredible hulk was really good way better than ang lee's version imo hulk don't need a sequel i fee lit will be the same him smashing next foe what else could they do

 

[FaT_tONle]

He is an Ang Lee lover... don't mind Ronny (more power too him though). Marvel will be pressed to get big names for Cap and Thor if they don't bring back Norton... then it will just be RDJ and Sam Jackson... and maybe a recognizable name for the villain and that's all... that's no where near an Ocean's Eleven type cast... other comic book films have had a better cast than that (assuming they go with relative unknowns for the rest of the heroes... not likely but possible). As a poster mentioned before... there is something about seeing RDJ and Norton together on that first teaser poster to really make this Avenger thing blow up in peoples faces... in a good way .

 

[Ronny Shade]

I'm sure they could get a pretty popular actor as Cap. Especially if he's going to be the central character.

 

[Still A ThorFan]

Ok, enough. this is THOR THREAD back to topic.

 

[broblacksteel]

The more i think about it the more i like the idea of having the hulk in the avengers, due to i want to see thor and the hulk have an epic battle (even if amounts to less than 2minutes screen time). If the hulk gets knocked out or subdued, he can transform back to banner curled up (we DONT have to see the face...so any anctor shaped liked norton will due).

I'm really curious about the thor rewrite....

 

[REDophile]

Hmmm.....I'm very intrigued as to what Branagh will do with Thor. He might as well have some on-screen cameo sort of like Favreau did in IM.

 

[Ronny Shade]

The more i think about it the more i like the idea of having the hulk in the avengers, due to i want to see thor and the hulk have an epic battle (even if amounts to less than 2minutes screen time). If the hulk gets knocked out or subdued, he can transform back to banner curled up (we DONT have to see the face...so any anctor shaped liked norton will due).

I'm really curious about the thor rewrite....

Hulk is a very boring character if you don't include Banner. I'd rather a recast.

 

[Raiden]

Hulk is a very boring character if you don't include Banner. I'd rather a recast.

If they reboot Hulk, then forget about even making it a success; people will bail once they see a completely new cast for 3 straight movies.