The big fight, Norton Vs Penn

[antsiou]

Hey Folks,

After reading stuf here and there, especially the Comic Con panel, where the big news was broken...

Question: Edward, I understand you're contributing more than acting in the film. Can you talk about what else you're bringing to the project?

Norton: You're making me be immodest. I came into this and wrote the screenplay.

I was a Marvel kid. I had subscriptions to a lot of the Marvel comics. You remember when they came in the plastic wrap with the little piece of scotch tape on them? So I loved Hulk, the early incarnation of the Hulk, and the television show when I was a kid. And then in later years, I really liked where they took it in the "Return of the Moster" seris and the Bruce Jones series. I thought those were, the writing and the graphics, really contemporary.

I always felt like it was one of those great contemporary myths. It comes right out of the tradition of almost like Greek mythology, this notion of this supression of your inner demon. So the whole idea when I started talking with Kevin and Louis of starting from scratch and reconceiving the story as a mythic saga was really appealing to me.
[...]

A lot of people were giving me funny looks when I told them I was really interested in doing it, but I thought it was an amazing opportunity to put our hands on one of the really classic modern mythologies.

[...]

That was what drew me to it, this idea of a mortal person at war with this thing inside of me, sort of the lonely fugitive aspect to it.

I am quite thrilled to know that Norton is heavily involved in the project, and that he's commited that much..

But for a gazzilion years, we have been sold that TIH was being written by Zack Penn
It's been the source of endless debate about the capacity of Penn to deliver a good story (see x3, elektra for the downside, ehuh.. others things for the upside )
Now on IMDB, Penn profile doesn't even include TIH http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0672015/

So is Penn out of the picture???

On the other hand, Norton, is IMO, a perfect cast for Banner, and I'm so thrilled that he'll play the part and will do honour (no doubt about that whatsoever)... but yet, is Norton writing skills good enough?
What references do we have of previous work as a screen-writer?

Some folks here seems to think it's just not worth it

ED NORTON IS DECEPTIVE

Despite all evidence to the contrary, Ed Norton told the ComicCon convention this weekend that he wrote the screenplay for next summers "the Incredible Hulk", in which he stars. This was all big news to Zak Penn, who until that moment was known by all to be the only writer involved with the project and unquestionably the one who wrote the screenplay.
Norton said:
"Well, you're making me be immodest ... I came into this and I wrote the screenplay. I was a Marvel kid growing up, and I used to subscribe to a lot of the books. Remember when they used to come in plastic with the little piece of scotch tape on the back? This story has almost limitless potential in it to be remade and redone. It's a really classic modern mythology."
Ed Norton is an idiot. He thinks he's so much smarter and talented than he really is. They should have called "the Score", "Battle of the Mumblers". I couldn't understand a single thing he or DeNiro said. The only time he's coherent is when he's yelling or has some showy actor-y crutch and that **** is easy. The Ed Norton school of acting is just, "ooh, look at me, I'm blind, I'm looking 6 inches to the left of you, because I'm blind. Where's that cup? I don't know, I'm blind, let me feel around for it." Or, "duh, I'm a ******. See, my fork has a cork on the end and my polo shirt is buttoned all the way up. And the third button is in the hole for the second button, making it askew. Because ******s don't understand buttons." This guy is a jackass. Just because he changed it doesn't mean he wrote it. I could draw big **** on the Mona Lisa, that doesn't mean I can say I painted the Mona Lisa. I just made that **** hot.

Sure they like to give a tough times to whoever is famous for whatever reason...

anyway,

what do you guys think?
Who will do the green goliath justice?
Penn or Norton?

Are both working together? Is Penn out of the picture?

Penny for your thought

 

[FrostBite]

Definately Norton, I don't doubt Penn in producing "good" work, I did enjoy X3. I just believe Norton will deliver excellent work. He is known for butting into movies productions and doing some rewrite work. I'd be very surprised if he let anything in the script he thought sounded ridiculous.

He's a very dedicated worker, I am impressed by his interest in this project. During down a role in the Dark Knight for it, the deciding to write the script. It seems as if he really cares for this new movie, and I can only see that as good news.

Sure theres always a chance with any actor, writer, director, anyone, no matter how good screwing it all up. But I just don't see this news as anything but good news.

 

[Sava]

Norton, he's done a few re-wrties for his films before, just didnt get the credit.

 

[Cracker Jack]

Norton wrote the script. Penns script was most likely shot down by Marvel. To me that's a good thing. It shows that they are not going to settle for crap.

 

[Sava]

Norton wrote the script. Penns script was most likely shot down by Marvel. To me that's a good thing. It shows that they are not going to settle for crap.

i dont think it was shot down, i'm thinking Norton just did some rewrites of Penn's script. Werent Marvel and LL praising Penn's script like it was amazing and s**t?

 

[Bannerless Hulk]

what do you guys think?
Who will do the green goliath justice?
Penn or Norton?

Are both working together? Is Penn out of the picture?

Penny for your thought

My understanding is Penn was only responsible for the early drafts, three in all it seems, and Norton took over from there. Supposedly, "nothing was wrong with Penn’s drafts, but that more story ideas had come up that the studio liked, so they decided to let Norton have a go at the script" (Source: Cinema Blend). Between their collective genius, I would hope that we have a dynamite script.

 

[MaskedManJRK]

I'm sure every good idea in the script will be from Norton, no doubt about it.

Let me put it this way: Norton's done stuff like American History X and Fight Club. Penn's crowning achievement is X-MEN 3: THE LAST STAND.

So, yeah, Norton >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Penn.

 

[Sarg92]

Penn and his script are out of the picture now, he is not working on TIH anymore. I am sure Norton is going to deliver with his script and his acting ability. Let's just see what unfolds of part one of this new saga.

 

[Obi-Ron]

Ed Norton is an idiot. He thinks he's so much smarter and talented than he really is. They should have called "the Score", "Battle of the Mumblers". I couldn't understand a single thing he or DeNiro said. The only time he's coherent is when he's yelling or has some showy actor-y crutch and that **** is easy. The Ed Norton school of acting is just, "ooh, look at me, I'm blind, I'm looking 6 inches to the left of you, because I'm blind. Where's that cup? I don't know, I'm blind, let me feel around for it." Or, "duh, I'm a ******. See, my fork has a cork on the end and my polo shirt is buttoned all the way up. And the third button is in the hole for the second button, making it askew. Because ******s don't understand buttons." This guy is a jackass. Just because he changed it doesn't mean he wrote it. I could draw big **** on the Mona Lisa, that doesn't mean I can say I painted the Mona Lisa. I just made that **** hot.

Wow, what a crybaby.

 

[Jono Starsmore]

http://www.ropeofsilicon.com/news.php?id=6786

No sir, you are an idiot.


All hail Edward Norton.

 

[Nivek]

My take on Norton doing the script...

He had a better, more traditional and faithful, Hulk treatment than Penn.

I honestly think the guy who wrote that article is a dipwad. Norton was my first choice for Banner since Fight Club. Penn's script and "Abomination is a silly name" crap left a bad taste in my mouth about the project. Norton is a Hulk god right now.

 

[He-Man]

EXCLUSIVE: Zak Penn Confirms to Cinematical That Edward Norton is Now Writing 'The Incredible Hulk'

http://www.cinematical.com/2007/08/...confirms-to-cinematical-that-edward-norton-i/


I was just as surprised as everyone else was when, during ComicCon, Edward Norton apparently announced that he was all of a sudden writing the screenplay for next summer's The Incredible Hulk. We all knew Norton possessed tremendous talent apart from acting, as he's written, directed, produced and even recorded music for a couple films. But Zak Penn was writing The Incredible Hulk. Zak Penn. Ya know, the guy who's actually written two comic adaptations (X-Men: The Last Stand, Elektra), shared story credit on another (X2) and penned the video games for X-Men: The Official Game and Fantastic Four. Tack on the fact that he's also tapped to write the highly-anticipated Avengers project, and Norton's bizarre comments seem, well, bizarre. Even more bizarre is that Penn's name has been completely erased from IMDb as having anything to do with the film ... ever.

When the story first hit, I sent Zak an email to see what the real deal was. Was Norton talking out his ass, or was there some legitimacy behind his comments? Zak and I hit it off well during Tribeca (while he was out promoting his very awesome Vegas mockumentary The Grand), and ever since we've kept up correspondence. He's like my big-time Hollywood writer-director pen pal. It's cute. Anyway, though Zak's contract does not allow him to say one thing about the film (with the exception of what has already been said), he did confirm that Edward Norton is now writing The Incredible Hulk. Exact words: "I was writing it, now Edward is." Though I don't know why it's now in Norton's hands versus the veteran comic gloves of Zak Penn, I hope that whatever changes have been made are good ones. Speaking from only one side, I know Penn was very excited about his contributions -- the guy knew the Hulk mythology inside and out, and seemed perfect for the gig. Only time will tell which changes were made; stay tuned to Cinematical as more updates come in. The Incredible Hulk will smash its way into theaters on June 13, 2008.

 

[Sarg92]

Wow!

Some people are not too sure if Norton can write but that article says that Norton knows the Hulk mythology inside and out! That is only good news! Norton is very dedicated to this movie and will be treating it as his own. I'm sure that if he thinks there is something wrong and it will make the movie bad he will change it.

Do you guys think he is going to call Abomination "Abomination" in this movie or keep it how Penn did?

 

[antsiou]

Nice find, i was on the site yday, but it wasn't confirmed from Penn...

so, here we go, NOrton is the Writer...
maybe we'll get Abomination to be called..... Abomination t:

 

[Sarg92]

I think Norton did not do slight rewrites of the script but actually rewrote the entire thing. LL did say at Comic-Con that Norton and himself sat down for a long time and Norton scracthed his head for an original story or something along those lines.

Let's see what unfolds of this and hopefully we will get some more news about the script.

 

[Bannerless Hulk]

Well, you all can pat yourselves on the back. I have to think the producers heard you loud and clear... Zak Penn wasn't your man. I didn't really care myself, but I sensed maybe you were right.

As for Abomination... I have to think you all are WAY too preoccupied with this. Sort of like how you were way too preoccupied with whether the movie will be a reboot or not. Let's put it this way: If Norton is a better writer than Zak Penn, so much that Penn is now completely out of the picture, you should rest easy. Leave the "details" to Norton and LL. But whether Abomination gets called Abomination is not something I would lose sleep over.

Some people are not too sure if Norton can write but that article says that Norton knows the Hulk mythology inside and out!

The writer was paying the compliment to Penn, not Norton.

 

[antsiou]

Well, you all can pat yourselves on the back. I have to think the producers heard you loud and clear... Zak Penn wasn't your man. I didn't really care myself, but I sensed maybe you were right.

As for Abomination... I have to think you all are WAY too preoccupied with this. Sort of like how you were way too preoccupied with whether the movie will be a reboot or not. Let's put it this way: If Norton is a better writer than Zak Penn, so much that Penn is now completely out of the picture, you should rest easy. Leave the "details" to Norton and LL. But whether Abomination gets called Abomination is not something I would lose sleep over.

I take it you don't get sarcasm when you read some???

 

[Sava]

I take it you don't get sarcasm when you read some???

its hard to get sarcasm in writing

 

[antsiou]

its hard to get sarcasm in writing

yeah,
and me thinking that my smiley face was clear enough

 

[Sava]

you'd think so..but no

 

[antsiou]

I get that in real life too, what's obvious for me, isn't for others...
(it's maybe because i love stating the obvious under a nice layer of so-called smartness... not to avail )

 

[Sava]

I get that in real life too, what's obvious for me, isn't for others...
(it's maybe because i love stating the obvious under a nice layer of so-called smartness... not to avail )

poor you...being smart must be a pain in the ass

 

[antsiou]

poor you...being smart must be a pain in the ass

That's what my avyy Mario is trying to explain to Princess Peach

 

[Sava]

lol...

 

[antsiou]

lol...

see , smartness/sarcasm works without smiley sometimes