Marvel and Norton Clashing Over Final Cut of Film?

[Cth]

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/ed-norton-and-marvel-in-a-hulk-ing-feud/

Ed Norton And Marvel In 'Hulk'-ing Feud

The Incredible Hulk trailer is on its way. It debuts Wednesday night at 9:56 pm on all the MTV channels and Spike TV and VH1. It gets shown Thursday at ShoWest. And it plays this weekend in front of Universal pics in the theaters. (But it's also being teased on YouTube now.) I'm told the pic's producer-screenwriter-star Edward Norton helped get the trailer ready last week and loves it.

But does he also love the movie? Not yet.

I'm told that's because Norton and Marvel are clashing over how to cut the pic. Insiders say Norton was "promised tremendous involvement and access" after Marvel invited him into the core team to rewrite Zak Penn's script. Says one insider, "There's a lot of posturing going on between Edward's camp and Marvel over how you edit the final version." Sources also tell me that, starting last night and continuing at least throughout today, the actor will be holed up with Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel, Marvel Studios president of production Kevin Feige, and director Louis Leterrier to try to "reach an amicable resolution" to this $150+ million film feud.

Some insiders blame Marvel for not accepting Norton's POV about the movie. "There's a problem. Marvel won't listen to Norton about the cut," one source claims. Some blame Norton, known to be prickly. (Remember his problems with Paramount over The Italian Job and with director Tony Kaye over American History X?) "Never let an actor write a script," one insider commented. "Marvel made a mistake letting the wolf into the hen house."

But I say that, after Ang Lee's troubled The Hulk left audiences cold, The Incredible Hulk needs Edward Norton's warm support if the pic's gonna have any street cred. Some fear things blowing up to the point where Norton might not publicize the movie. And Marvel is petrified that the new Hulk may be judged "prematurely and unfairly." (Or that bloggers will start claiming the Hulk franchise is cursed.)

Right now, Marvel is said to be about 4 to 5 weeks away from locking the movie for its June 13th release by Universal whose top execs haven't yet seen it ("though some marketing guys have been working off a rough cut that's in pretty good shape," I'm told). "At this stage you always have discussions about what's in the film and what's not going to be in the film. Everyone's very passionate, and Edward is very opinionated." Said another source, "There is a very healthy exchange of ideas going on. Discussions now are even more heated. But some of Ed's best movies have had this exact dynamic to them. Everyone's in the process of figuring it out and working it out. But I expect it'll all get resolved pretty quickly."

-----------------

UPDATE #1

"Like so many people I've loved the story of The Hulk since I was a kid, so it was thrilling when Marvel asked me to write and help produce an altogether new screen incarnation, as well as play Bruce Banner. I grew up reading Marvel Comics and always loved the mythic dimension and contemporary themes in the stories, and I’m proud of the script I wrote. In every phase of production, including the editing, working with Louis Leterrier has been wonderful...I've never had a better partner, and the collaboration with all the rest of the creative team has been terrific. Every good movie gets forged through collaboration, and different ideas among people who are all committed and respect the validity of each other's opinions is the heart of filmmaking. Regrettably, our healthy process, which is and should be a private matter, was misrepresented publicly as a 'dispute,' seized on by people looking for a good story, and has been distorted to such a degree that it risks distracting from the film itself, which Marvel, Universal and I refuse to let happen. It has always been my firm conviction that films should speak for themselves and that knowing too much about how they are made diminishes the magic of watching them. All of us believe The Incredible Hulk will excite old fans and create new ones and be a huge hit...our focus has always been to deliver the Hulk that people have been waiting for and keep the worldwide love affair with the big green guy going strong.''

LL:
http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,20191802,00.html

-----------------

UPDATE #2

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/edward-norton-vs-marvel-part-2/

Edward Norton vs Marvel, 'Hulk' Round 2

Since I broke the story of the feud inside the making of The
Incredible Hulk, I thought I'd end the
story, too. Edward Norton and Marvel Studios have "settled their
issues" after clashing over how to cut the $150+ million pic, an
insider tells me. "But what people will see is Marvel's cut of the
movie. This is not the Edward Norton cut by any means. His opinion is
their cut is valid because probably it's going to make a lot of money.
And, he recognizes that, if you're a businessman, that makes sense.
But he would have released something a little longer, a little more
character driven."

Now remember that Norton was promised big involvement and access
after Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel invited the actor into the
core team to rewrite Zak Penn's script. (See my previous, Ed Norton
And Marvel In 'Hulk'-ing Feud.) But, in the end, Marvel
ignored Norton's ideas about how to cut the film.
(Even the film's director, Louis
Leterrier just told Entertainment Weekly that the duo campaigned for a
longer, more detailed film while Marvel Studios wanted a faster,
leaner one, and Marvel won. "I regret that [Marvel and Norton] didn't
come to an agreement where we could've all worked together,'' the
helmer said.)

A Norton insider insists to me that, despite his difficult
reputation, the actor is not going to cause a public stink. Even
though Entertainment Weekly [which kindly credits me for my initial
scoop, unlike The New York Times] gives the impression that Norton is
refusing to do publicity because he denied the mag an interview.
Instead, EW was given only "an exclusive 257-word Norton statement"
from his publicist humiliatingly vetted by both Marvel and distributor
Universal.

"He'll do stuff for the movie, certainly," my insider insists. "He
really does want people to see the movie and let it speak for itself."
Added a source at Universal, "Edward never does a lot of publicity
anyway. But we understand he'll do important publicity." I bet he does
next to none.

I've said before that Edward Norton's warm support of The
Incredible Hulk is vital if the pic's gonna have any street cred. Now
the movie's core fans know that Marvel put commercial viability ahead
of character development. It was always a risky gambit for Marvel to
start self-financing its comic book movies. So, if this
film disappoints (and considering this is a sorta sequel Ang Lee's
audience-dissed Hulk, that's a real possibility), it's all Maisel's
fault. As an insider put it, "Maisel is an ass. There's truth in that
statement."

 

[Cracker Jack]

Nice find Cth

 

[YJ1]

So what is director Louis Leterrier's job in all this? Ed Norton is great but he wasn't actor/director on this project. It's time for him to give suggestions but then step back and let Leterrier do his job.

My suggestion is, when in doubt, leave more scenes in the final cut. You need a crisp pace but how many times have we seen deleted scenes in other films that, if left in would've aided character development and the entire film. Daredevil, both FF films, X3, etc. Don't pull a Fox and sacrifice quality for running time. Word of mouth for Marvel's first set of films are as important as anything. A quality film 20 minutes longer will not earn less. That time frame will not limit showings or screens.

Don't let Ang Lee's poorly paced mess spook you, Marvel. Find the happy medium.

 

[Showtime]

Patients running the asylum.

 

[Cth]

Either way, they can't miss the June date.

There's too much riding on making the date to not hit it.

Marvel is against the wall at this point. They need Norton to help promote the film. Sure, they can be paranoid about the film length being unfairly compared to 2003's film. If it's a good film, it won't matter, period.

Yes, a shorter film does mean more frequent showings, and more potential income, but look at Transformers. 2 and a half hours almost and it came in 2nd this summer numbers wise.

Relax Marvel.

 

[wobbly]

Hmmn...If this is all true then it sounds like a bit of good old fashioned horse trading going on. Least I hope that's all it is.

Bottom line, Norton was given no small concession in being allowed to re-write much the script, not many actors will get that kind of deal no matter how highly regarded they may be (especially when they have comparatively little experience in that field) so he shouldn't really push the issue in stepping on the directors toes too. Let Letterrier do his job - assuming it's Letterrier who does have that final cut - If it's some faceless suits cutting it up (like with most Fox efforts) then more power to Norton.

 

[Kirmit]

If it's true Norton was promised large involvement in the finished product then I'm with him on this one, I have faith in him, he's a hulk fanboy, he'd know what we'd want.

 

[FaT_tONle]

This is the baggage that comes when you sign a big time actor and give him 100% control... its a move Marvel probably had to make... but letting Norton write the script himself is going too far... I can't see how this film is getting a sequel since Norton will probably ask for the moon to come back... look for yet another Banner recast or reboot... just bracing for the worst possibility you know...

 

[Sarg92]

I dunno about this one.

Norton did write the script so surely he would know what needs to be in the final cut and what should not but that would mean kicking Leterrier outta the frame and that is just wrong. He deserves credit.

I wouldn't mind if Norton and Leterrier both work together on the final cut but Norton shouldn't act as if the entire movie is just his.

 

[Bubonic]

What I'm worried about now is that this will leave such a sour taste in Norton and the Marvel exec's mouths that he won't return for sequels, or simply won't be invited back.

 

[SpaghettiHULK]

yes, and we'll have another "restart"

 

[FaT_tONle]

Marvel ****ed up... the last people you mess around with is the actors... you need to keep them happy without letting them run the movie/franchise... you give them all control and then basically the studio becomes a pwn and the actor or lead runs everything... we should have realized this... just goes to show the inexperience of Marvel studios... completely ignorant of the failures this has led to in past movies... get on me for being pessimistic... maybe the two sides mend and all is well... this decision may go down as "doesn't get any dumber than this" in time... I might have to take TIH 2 off the sig...

 

[Bubonic]

I just wonder how much Norton's input went into changing key aspects of the Hulk storyline.
I skimmed the script and it seems fine, but anytime a director, or someone very involved gets too opinionated and wields too much power you can end up with something that is a mutant of the source material.
For all we know, it was Norton that insisted that scaly Abom was ridiculous and he needed to be Mr. Hanky on roids.
He's such a competent actor, but lets hope our Hulk won't suffer too much because of his artistic vision.

 

[Symbiotic]

I hope they settle this quickly.

 

[Showtime]

This happens more frequently than some of you realize. I wouldn't worry to much about it.

 

[Sarg92]

We'll probably have three cuts on DVD for the movie.

1. The normal cut shown in the theatres
2. Louis Leterrier Directors Cut
3. Edward Norton Actor/Script Writer/Editor/Producer/Second Unit Director... Cut, Phew!

 

[Obi-Ron]

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/ed-norton-and-marvel-in-a-hulk-ing-feud/

Ed Norton And Marvel In 'Hulk'-ing Feud

The Incredible Hulk trailer is on its way. It debuts Wednesday night at 9:56 pm on all the MTV channels and Spike TV and VH1. It gets shown Thursday at ShoWest. And it plays this weekend in front of Universal pics in the theaters. (But it's also being teased on YouTube now.) I'm told the pic's producer-screenwriter-star Edward Norton helped get the trailer ready last week and loves it.

But does he also love the movie? Not yet.

I'm told that's because Norton and Marvel are clashing over how to cut the pic. Insiders say Norton was "promised tremendous involvement and access" after Marvel invited him into the core team to rewrite Zak Penn's script. Says one insider, "There's a lot of posturing going on between Edward's camp and Marvel over how you edit the final version." Sources also tell me that, starting last night and continuing at least throughout today, the actor will be holed up with Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel, Marvel Studios president of production Kevin Feige, and director Louis Leterrier to try to "reach an amicable resolution" to this $150+ million film feud.

Some insiders blame Marvel for not accepting Norton's POV about the movie. "There's a problem. Marvel won't listen to Norton about the cut," one source claims. Some blame Norton, known to be prickly. (Remember his problems with Paramount over The Italian Job and with director Tony Kaye over American History X?) "Never let an actor write a script," one insider commented. "Marvel made a mistake letting the wolf into the hen house."

But I say that, after Ang Lee's troubled The Hulk left audiences cold, The Incredible Hulk needs Edward Norton's warm support if the pic's gonna have any street cred. Some fear things blowing up to the point where Norton might not publicize the movie. And Marvel is petrified that the new Hulk may be judged "prematurely and unfairly." (Or that bloggers will start claiming the Hulk franchise is cursed.)

Right now, Marvel is said to be about 4 to 5 weeks away from locking the movie for its June 13th release by Universal whose top execs haven't yet seen it ("though some marketing guys have been working off a rough cut that's in pretty good shape," I'm told). "At this stage you always have discussions about what's in the film and what's not going to be in the film. Everyone's very passionate, and Edward is very opinionated." Said another source, "There is a very healthy exchange of ideas going on. Discussions now are even more heated. But some of Ed's best movies have had this exact dynamic to them. Everyone's in the process of figuring it out and working it out. But I expect it'll all get resolved pretty quickly."

An interesting post, thanks for sharing, Cth.

I wouldn't get too worked up about this. Sounds like typical behind the scenes maneuvering, the last few sentences of the story says as much.

The writer is just trying to make a name for herself by capitalizing on the trailer hype. I give her as much credit for her "insiders" and "sources" as I would for you guys saying "Some guy told me..."

 

[Carlo Comicus]

Bs...

 

[GNR]

I hope this is just the routine decision making that goes on behind the scenes.

I think if Ed leaves these talks unhappy,he's not coming back for a second film.

 

[DBZ2cool]

Ouch.

This movie looks like it is already in a lot of problems.

Very late marketing, lead actor and the studio fighting.

I personally feel that since the Mravel has spent money on making this movie, they have full right to do whatever they want to with this movie. Sure Norton wrote the script but he has no business whatsoever to meddle with decisions like running time and editing. I bet he is the cause of this late marketing.

Also trust me since the marketing has started late and if this movie turns out more than 2 hours long then this has serious chances of flopping. They need to make this around 2 hour and not more than that so that they can get enough show times and screens for this movie.

You know very well that the movie still has a lot of work left to do when the executives of the studio distributing haven't seen anything.

The downside to this situation is that if marvel doesn't listen to Edward norton then not only will he refuse in promoting the movie but also reject the idea of coming back for a sequel.

Lesson to be learnt here is that studios shouldn't allow actors who want be in control of the project.

 

[webhead731]

Ugh. They just need to settle this in the best way possible.
I hope they choose the best ideas and choices. Give us a good film.

No, a great film.

 

[Kirmit]

Ouch.

This movie looks like it is already in a lot of problems.

Very late marketing, lead actor and the studio fighting.

I personally feel that since the Mravel has spent money on making this movie, they have full right to do whatever they want to with this movie. Sure Norton wrote the script but he has no business whatsoever to meddle with decisions like running time and editing. I bet he is the cause of this late marketing.

Also trust me since the marketing has started late and if this movie turns out more than 2 hours long then this has serious chances of flopping. They need to make this around 2 hour and not more than that so that they can get enough show times and screens for this movie.

You know very well that the movie still has a lot of work left to do when the executives of the studio distributing haven't seen anything.

Unless he was promised this when he signed on for the movie and marvel have changed their minds.

 

[DBZ2cool]

Unless he was promised this when he signed on for the movie and marvel have changed their minds.

Maybe Marvel was confident he will do a great job but his product hasn't turned out to be exactly what they were hoping for.

You see marvel and a lot of people want hulk smash movie and maybe Norton's script doesn't have enough hulk smash moments to remove the stain of the original.

If that is the case then I can see why marvel is nervous.

And trust me if this movie does not deliver enough spectacular hulk smash moments and turns out to be long and kinda boring like original then this will bomb hard. If that happens then all the blame will go to Norton.

 

[Kirmit]

Maybe Marvel was confident he will do a great job but his product hasn't turned out to be exactly what they were hoping for.

You see marvel and a lot of people want hulk smash movie and maybe Norton's script doesn't have enough hulk smash moments to remove the stain of the original.

If that is the case then I can see why marvel is nervous.

And trust me if this movie does not deliver enough spectacular hulk smash moments and turns out to be long and kinda boring like original then this will bomb hard. If that happens then all the blame will go to Norton.

or it could work vice verse and Norton is the one requesting more hulk smash whereas Marvel don't want it.

 

[Advanced Dark]

Just some loser going around leaking negative info about the film to make a scoop. Give me a break. Every single film have disagreements over the final cut. Probably some 15 year old kid overheard it and thought he was cool to let everyone know. LOL