WGA doesn't give Norton writer's credit

[TDK2008]

iesb.net says it's a fact that EN won't receive writer's credit for the screenplay since his were only "minor changes" ... can't post the link right now, a simple google search does the trick, someone please add it. would be a very pithy comeback at Norton ...

 

[Hoblin]

Hmmmmm.....

http://www.themovieblog.com/2008/06/edward-norton-not-getting-writing-credit-on-incredible-hulk

 

[Seen]

I believe he is being credited under the pseudonym Edward Harrison, his middle name.

 

[TDK2008]

I believe he is being credited under the pseudonym Edward Harrison, his middle name.

No he isn't -- at least not according to these reports:
http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=5021&Itemid=99
http://www.comicbookmovie.com/news/articles/4627.asp

quote from the IESB article:
The IESB contacted Zak Penn's office to ask about the credit. They confirmed Penn will be receiving sole writing credit on the film.
Universal reps are saying, "WGA determined the writing credit not Zak or Edward or Universal or Marvel. WGA always determines final writing credit for our films right before the film comes out. Up until that time, we include the writers on the project to date."
A call to the WGA got this response, "Zak Penn is receiving sole credit for story and screenplay."
Apparently, there was arbitration, which is quite common since two screenwriters were listed. The WGA sided with Zak Penn.
So there you have it. Edward Norton will go uncredited as a writer for HULK.

 

[Mister Sinister]

He is NOT going to be happy.

 

[Seen]

It has been known for some time that Zak Penn did a few drafts and then left to do The Grand. The script necessitated some polishes and Letterier asked Norton to re-write the screenplay. His re-write of the script is the one Letterier shot -- the one I read. I did not have the ability to read and contrast Penn's drafts to Norton's, but mostly everyone involved with the film clearly point out that Norton did his own draft of the screenplay, making many alterations to Penn's original draft(s). Why the WGA does not believe Norton deserves to receive a co-writing credit is beyond me.

Chalk this up as frustrating nonsense on the WGA's behalf.

 

[hankpym]

Why is it nonsense? What were the major changes he made?
It's very common for writers in Hollywood to work on a script but not change it enough to get credit.

Would you feel this way if ANY writer worked on the script, or is it particular to Edward Norton?

When other people say they find it hard to believe, do you think there is a conspiracy against Edward Norton, or that he is somehow the underdog in some sort of backroom battle?

I'm genuinely curious what you think is going on.

 

[Spade]

His script was a first draft of many done during the production. While Penn will always have credit for being the first to submit a script, it's obvious that Norton was writing from the perspective of a page one rewrite. I'm speaking from the stance of an aspiring screenwriter, so I have some bias. But I do feel that deserves some recognition.

As far as the issues with Universal go, I still think it's a natural part of the process. They seem to have streamlined his vision into something more action-oriented. There's no harm in that, especially for a Hulk reboot so soon after a massive critical and financial failure.

 

[Mister Sinister]

Pretty much all the actors associated with this film have referred to the script as Norton's, so this is going to be interesting to see the response.

 

[DocHoliday]

Well they did the same thing to George Clooney on Leatherheads. He caliemd he rewrote most of the dialogue. I think the WGA has a tendency to side with the faceless writer instead of the the person who can say he wrote the scriot on interviews and all of that.

It's rubbish and they should share credit.

 

[Nivek]

Hey, Edward Harrison (Norton) IS credited on movie poster and anywhere the credits are listed.

 

[TDK2008]

Hey, Edward Harrison (Norton) IS credited on movie poster and anywhere the credits are listed.

should probably be "was" -- the WGA ruling is very recent, the fact that he's on the (old) poster doesn't mean a thing... he's NOT going to be listed in the film.

 

[Nivek]

But I dont understand why this is recent. The film is completed, and the credits are done. I'm going to ask who was credited as writers on the film to someone who has seen it.

 

[TDK2008]

But I dont understand why this is recent. The film is completed, and the credits are done. I'm going to ask who was credited as writers on the film to someone who has seen it.

Credits and titles are usually the last thing that is done on any film - it's possible they showed it without the credits in screenings.

 

[Raiden]

I think WGA is wrong and Norton should get the credit.

 

[Nivek]

Credits and titles are usually the last thing that is done on any film - it's possible they showed it without the credits in screenings.

The credits are part of the film.

 

[Clobberin' Time]

Credit where credit is due, surely?

 

[Spade]

What the studio puts up has to reflect the WGA credit from here on out. Before, it didn't matter. They probably thought that the Writer's Guild was going to give both writers credit. Now, that'll have to be changed.

 

[Neto Magnus]

well Norton aint gonna be in Avengers now and you can kiss the sequel goodbye.

 

[DocHoliday]

well Norton aint gonna be in Avengers now and you can kiss the sequel goodbye.

I don't think it's that big of a deal to him. He knows the public is largely aware of his participation, I'm sure. If he doesn't do those projects, it'll be because they do not interest him as an artistic pursuit.

 

[The Shrike]

From what I understand, he had a hand at rewriting parts of American History X, The Score, and Frida, so it appears hiring him as an actor gets you a decent script polisher as a bonus.

 

[DocHoliday]

From what I understand, he had a hand at rewriting parts of American History X, The Score, and Frida, so it appears hiring him as an actor gets you a decent script polisher as a bonus.

Yes, indeed. Was he credited on those movies though? I honestly do not know.

 

[Raiden]

well Norton aint gonna be in Avengers now and you can kiss the sequel goodbye.

The beef here is with WGA, not with Marvel (since Marvel has tried to put Norton's pen name Edward Harrison in the credit earlier). And I doubt Norton would let this issue stop him from doing a sequel.

 

[hankpym]

Ed Norton was not credited on those films either. Just because you read a script with his name on it doesn't mean he wrote the script. In fact, he is supposed to put the names of the previous writers on the script, the fact that he didn't is messed up.

If you have no idea what was in Penn's previous drafts, how can you possibly know whether Norton did a great job polishing it? He has a long history of claiming he wrote scripts that he didn't get credit for. Either he is the subject of a conspiracy, or he has an inflated sense of his own work.

Don't let your celebrity worship cloud your judgement.

 

[I SEE SPIDEY]

Zak Penn gets sole credit on my free passes.