The Avengers Whedon vs. Norton

[Norm3]

Is there any truth to the rumor that Norton wasn't Joss Whedons first choice to play Banner in the Avengers? If thats the case I agree with him %100. Norton is over priced & overhyped. He played himself in TIH.

 

[Gamma Goliath]

Not that we know of, plus Norton was contracted to be on avengers, before whedon was even around.

 

[Tony Stark]

What I think this came down to was Marvel trying to get Norton to sign a multi picture deal and as last time he said I'll do that for X amount, and Marvel wouldn't budge. Marvel is also having problems with Ruffallo coming to terms on a multi picture deal.

They tried to tie up Norton for a multi picture deal for TIH, but because they couldn't come to terms, they singed him for the one.

When they jabbed him for not being a team player, they said it wasn't because of money, but they were being less than forthright. It was all about the money.

Just conjecture on my part, but I think it makes about as much sense as anything.

 

[Gamma Goliath]

That sounds probable

 

[Sawyer]

I thought I read that Joss and Norton got along just fine...

 

[Doc Ock]

I thought I read that Joss and Norton got along just fine...

Indeed, I thought Joss was even excited about getting Norton....

 

[Tony Stark]

That's apparently what Fiege told Norton's agent, according to Norton's press release. I don't have any reason to suspect that's not true.

This has to be about contracts. These guys know their worth, and when someone isn't willing to pay, they're not going to do any special favors.

 

[Norm3]

Let me find the website that says Norton wasn't Joss first choice meaning he'd rather someone else.

 

[Norm3]

It’s also no surprise that Marvel would love to parade Ruffalo in front of the Saturday Comic-Con crowd – to run serious damage control as well as generate excitement. Yesterday, at the “Visionaries” panel (alongside JJ Abrams) Joss Whedon finally confirmed that he would be directing The Avengers, and while Edward Norton may not have been Whedon’s first choice to play the Bruce Banner – a lot of Hulk fans still think Norton did a great job.

http://screenrant.com/mark-ruffalo-hulk-comic-con-avengers-benk-69979/

 

[DocHoliday]

Sounds like conjecture on his part. All indications is that they got on fairly well. Whedon allegedly has had problems with getting along with actors in the past but it usually after years. I am sure it comes down to Norton not wanting to sign multi-picture deals and I am sure marvel thought "if we are going to have to deal with this every time we want to use Hulk, we might as well cut ties now". Not saying that I agree with them just that is how I think it may have went down.

 

[Norm3]

Kevin Feige expressed his excitement over the addition of Mark Ruffalo to the cast of The Avengers:

"Ruffalo is Joss Whedon's Banner. He is the Banner that is going to be in that [Bill] Bixby type, wants to help people and is somewhat ashamed of what he goes through but isn't as strong and angry in his Banner form as he is in his Hulk form, which is something we haven't really seen in the past films."

"Something like how he was portrayed in the Ultimates, a guy who just wants to be left alone and wear his glasses and do his science."

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/TheDogPound/news/?a=20575

 

[Timstuff]

No wonder Marvel seems to be pushing so hard for these multi-picture deals, because otherwise they can't seem to hold on to any of their actors for more than one movie.

Here's hoping things fall through with Rufallo, too. Maybe that will slap some sense into Marvel about the way they were treating Norton. I've got no beef with Rufallo, but he ain't Bruce Banner.

 

[Norm3]

Whether you like it or not Ruffalo will end up in more movies featuring the Hulk than Norton & Bana. Avengers & then another Hulk movie.

 

[Sarg92]

Gale Anne Hurd said Norton did have a multi-picture deal;

"It's all going to depend on the screenplay and where his character goes in any sequel, because he does have a multiple-picture deal," she said of Norton, who told us recently that he's waiting to hear from Marvel regarding Hulk's future. "[Norton's situation] is the same with every franchise like this, when you have one of the top actors of his generation."

http://www.superherohype.com/features/articles/97643-gale-anne-hurd-on-the-future-of-the-hulk

 

[Timstuff]

Whether you like it or not Ruffalo will end up in more movies featuring the Hulk than Norton & Bana. Avengers & then another Hulk movie.

Who says? No-one else has played Hulk for more than one movie. If Farvel mucks things up again who knows who the next next Hulk will be. Norton had a multi picture deal too, but Marvel found a way to get rid of him, so there's no reason to believe Ruffalo will be any different.

 

[DocHoliday]

Forgot about that. Well all this Whedon vs Norton stuff is wearing on me (true or not). Until we hear an actual story of what happened there's really nothing that can be added.

 

[Norm3]

Who says? No-one else has played Hulk for more than one movie. If Farvel mucks things up again who knows who the next next Hulk will be. Norton had a multi picture deal too, but Marvel found a way to get rid of him, so there's no reason to believe Ruffalo will be any different.

They got rid of Norton for a reason. I'm sure Marvel didn't feel like recasting Hulk right now at this crucial time. Something forced their hand most likey Norton wanting creative imput which wasn't wanted or needed. Remember he only took TIH because they were willing to give him more control last time. Since he didn't get it things didn't work out.

 

[That-Guy]

Is there any truth to the rumor that Norton wasn't Joss Whedons first choice to play Banner in the Avengers? If thats the case I agree with him %100. Norton is over priced & overhyped. He played himself in TIH.

So you know Norton personally? He acts like that in real life?

 

[Sarg92]

Do you guys reckon if we will ever get the true reason Marvel got rid of Norton?

Reports stated that it was Kevin Feige's dream to bring Norton to Comic-Con to unveil The Avengers cast. Norton met with Whedon and they were happy. Norton was so happy that he cleared his entire schedule so that he will be free to do The Avengers. Negotiations take place for weeks and then something happens for Marvel to say they are gonna recast the role. Marvel say it is not a money issue and that they want a team player whereas Norton's agent says negotiations abruptly stopped and they assumed the reason Marvel didn't want Norton was due to money.

Feige tried to ignore any questions about Norton at Comic-Con. Norton will surely be interviewed at some point this year where a question about the situation may be brought up. MTV always seem to be interviewing him about Hulk.

 

[Norm3]

So you know Norton personally? He acts like that in real life?

So you think he was awesome in the Hulk? The best scientist ever. Or could he be getting a pass because of his past movies?

 

[Bruce Banner]

Feige tried to ignore any questions about Norton at Comic-Con. Norton will surely be interviewed at some point this year where a question about the situation may be brought up. MTV always seem to be interviewing him about Hulk.

No doubt he will be questioned, I see him more than likely wishing Ruffalo the best for taking on the role. I think he try and deflect any questions regarding the subject. The guy isn't try to come off like a ass so he will try to answer it with a level of class.

 

[Timstuff]

They got rid of Norton for a reason. I'm sure Marvel didn't feel like recasting Hulk right now at this crucial time. Something forced their hand most likey Norton wanting creative imput which wasn't wanted or needed. Remember he only took TIH because they were willing to give him more control last time. Since he didn't get it things didn't work out.

If they get rid of Rufallo too, I'm sure they'll have a reason for that as well. Marvel always has a reason for ditching their Bruce Banner actor. Whether or not their reason is good is subject to speculation and debate.

 

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Well it seems Marvel's casting motto is "If at first you dont succeed, try, try again" Its ridiculous, and I personally am not happy about it, TIH has just been made totally redundant now, is it even worth owning and watching now?

 

[Tony Stark]

Well it seems Marvel's casting motto is "If at first you dont succeed, try, try again" Its ridiculous, and I personally am not happy about it, TIH has just been made totally redundant now, is it even worth owning and watching now?

OK, this deserves a WTF.

So TIH is irrelevant because they recast an actor? Is Ang Lee's Hulk irrelevant?

For that matter I guess every James Bond movie save for the recent two is irrelevant.

Oh and those old Star Trek series and movies.... forget about it, the universe has been retconned, nothing more to see.

 

[Bren]

Well, if you still enjoy watching the film every now and then...... then yeah. If you don't enjoy watching the film every now and then....... no.