Sure, all you comics fanboys are scoffing at the notion of Edward Norton playing Bruce Banner in an attempt to reboot the Hulk movie franchise. Not because of any lack of talent on Norton’s part, but because the Ang Lee version was so underwhelming that the mere idea of another Hulk flick sounds like throwing good money after bad; nor does hiring as the director the guy best known for the Transporter movies — grimly efficient pulp thrillers that were not exactly rich in the operatic emotions that fuel the Hulk saga — inspire a lot of confidence.
Still, I have hope. First, Norton certainly has experience playing guys with split personalities (see Primal Fear, Fight Club, and, to a lesser extent, American History X, pictured). Second, the screenwriter is Zak Penn, who seems to be the go-to guy for screenplays from the Marvel-verse (he did a decent job with two of the X-Men films, an OK job on Fantastic Four, and a forgettable job on Elektra). Finally, I look forward to seeing Norton do rage. He’ll be the first Hulk to beat himself up (badum bum). And swag bags make him… very… angry…
What say you, PopWatchers? Does the prospect of Norton rockin’ the purple pants fill you with anticipation or make you turn a livid green?
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¿Are ju kidding me meñ? Norton will be a GREAT Bruce Banner! He was out of site as the nerdy guy in Fight Club and the People VS. Larry Flynt, so he’s already got the nerd acting cred.
As for a new Hulk movie, anything beats the piece of junk that passed as a Marvel movie from a few years ago. Even the video game was bad (at least the Non Hulk parts were).
I think I am in the minority that actually liked “The Hulk” sure it had it’s problems but not as bad as the majority of comic brought to the screen (sorry, Lou Ferrigno wouldn’t have worked. I agree with EP Sato, Norton would be a great Banner. Excellent acting range. I hope it happens.
I’m one of the few that actually liked the Ang Lee version. But I get the feeling this one will be better. Norton’s a great choice.
I thought Ang Lee’s Hulk movie was at least visually interesting, in the sense that I enjoyed the comic-book take on the film. But do I want to see a re-do of the story? No. I’d rather not see The Hulk at all. Just a bad character, really. Give me an X-Men 4: The New Generation instead please. At least that’s a franchise where there’s money to be made.
Zak Penn?
Let’s correct a little history, shall we? The reason X2 rocked was Singer’s team: Dan Harris and Michael Daugherty, leaving Penn’s contribution and “story by” credit a little questionable. The Last Stand was sorely lacking the ethos of the source material that was so successfully fed with the first two, and I think that most fans of the books would concur. I have more harsh words for the film, but at this point,it’s no use. The dirty deed is done and it made millions. Which leaevs Elektra. THAT…is Zak Penn’s contribution to comic book films, and it shouldn’t be a check in the plus category for the new Hulk adaptation. Lighter-themed director famous for action: Good. Ed Norton: wow, they’re really trying here. Penn: meh. Who knows, maybe they can shoot the green lugger with a blue serum that makes him not the Hulk anymore. It was soooo riveting and original in The Last Stand. See I said I was done and I wasn’t. The pain and disappointment are still too close.
In my mind, the piano music that played when Dr. David Banner left whatever town the Hulk had just trashed is playing.
He is walking backward with his thumb out. He is leaving, as he should.
Da dada da. Da dada da da. Da dada da…
No more Hulk movies! That last one blowed. Or blew?
As long as Nick Nolte doesnt stumble onto the set of this movie i`ll see it
!
I liked Hulk as well, a bit flawed, but still enjoyable. I’ll give this new one the benefit of the doubt because of Norton’s participation. But it seems a strange combo. The director/writer duo suggests they will take it in a sillier, more action oriented direction, which seems at odds with the choice of Norton, who tends toward more serious fare. So who knows.
Ha Edward Norton must be pretty hard up for some cash. I love his movies but this is beyond a bad idea.
“I am Puny Banner’s gamma-fueled rage.”
LOVE it.
It’s continuing a great trend of casting people in big-budget comic book flicks that can, oh I don’t know ACT, and then building the character around their strengths. Christian Bale, Robert Downey Jr., now Norton…those are three of the best right there.
Didn’t care for the first one, but I’m fascinated to see what they do with this one.
LOVE it.
It’s continuing a great trend of casting people in big-budget comic book flicks that can, oh I don’t know ACT, and then building the character around their strengths. Christian Bale, Robert Downey Jr., now Norton…those are three of the best right there.
Didn’t care for the first one, but I’m fascinated to see what they do with this one.
Norton should have been banner to begin with, not that he would have saved that first movie.
The only way the Hulk will work as a movie is if they realize that it is supposed to be a monster movie….not some angst driven piece of drivel.
HULK MUST SMASH!
PS No Nolte! No Sam Elliot! After the last film I am surprised there is any sceneary left in Hollywood there was so much chewing going on!
I thought I’d never see the day that Mr. I-won’t-sell-out-for-my-art would indeed sell out.
Totally agree with respect to no Nolte. Can I also add, no gamma powered poodles.
Superhero movies are oversaturating the market right now. I think that most of the movie viewing public could care less another Hulk movie, because he doesn’t appeal to the masses. It doesn’t matter who the star of the film is, this movie will flop.
I’ve heard Steve Buscemi’s name bandied about in “fantasy casting” scenarios but, I have to admit, Norton is a really good choice. The thing about the Hulk is that he’s supposed to be all of the rage that Banner suppresses, and Norton could really pull that off.
Perfect…well cast…I thought this Hulk sequel/remake was a mistake but I just sat up and took notice…
Edward Norton? Excuse me, I thought he was a serious actor. But I guess even serious actors have to eat. But still, I agree with the person who said about The Hulk, who cares? B-movie fanboys, to quote the director of “Cleaver.” Ed Norton should star in Dr. Strange, Master of the Mystic … oh, wait, he already did that. My bad.
By the way, all the people giving Norton a hard time for “selling out” (what that even means i’m not sure because none of these actors work for free to my knowledge) should note that he said he took every cent he earned while making “Red Dragon” and used it to help get “The 25th Hour” made.
Who’s to say he’s not gonna take some of this (sure to be considerably big) paycheck and use it to help finance one, or maybe even two, movies he REALLY wants to get made? Is that such a bad thing?
This makes little sense. Norton is a terrific actor, and he would make a decent Bruce Banner. However, the director doesn’t seem to be a good match for this project. The problem with the first film was that it had too much drama and took itself too seriously. I can’t see how Norton would fit in an action packed superhero film. Perhaps he would be better suited playing a role in Watchmen.
I think the Hulk in general is a hard story to sell do to the fact that well…it’s the Hulk. I thought Ang Lee did a fair portrayal of how the hulk should act. in the earlier comics the hulk pretty much acts like an animal, if you got in his way like so many other super heros you got smashed. also in the comic book there were alot of panals placing the hulk by himself in nature so it wasn,t really a suprise to see this in the movie. Ang Lees’portrayal read just like the comic. It all depends on where they get their sources from,the T.V.show, the comic, the last movie or if they think up a new vision of the Hulk entirely in order for people to get back into the story of the Hulk.
I think the Hulk in general is a hard story to sell do to the fact that well…it’s the Hulk. I thought Ang Lee did a fair portrayal of how the hulk should act. in the earlier comics the hulk pretty much acts like an animal, if you got in his way like so many other super heros you got smashed. also in the comic book there were alot of panals placing the hulk by himself in nature so it wasn,t really a suprise to see this in the movie. Ang Lees’portrayal read just like the comic. It all depends on where they get their sources from,the T.V.show, the comic, the last movie or if they think up a new vision of the Hulk entirely in order for people to get back into the story of the Hulk.
I guess hiring Norton was cheaper than a personality transplant for Eric Bana.
Ditch the gamma-mutts.
I actually liked the “comic panel” storytelling, but if they use it, Ang Lee will probably sue.
Norton certainly has the acting cred, so that’s a BIG sigh of relief. Writing and directing something like this will be more important than acting though, since it’s supposed to be “Hulk SMASH”, not “Hulk would like to thank the Academy”…
I would watch ED NORTON cleaning windows. he is that good. Sure i’ll check out HULK.
C’mon everybody….we all know this is going to be amazing!! I am incredibly excited and pleased with this casting idea. Finally the Hollywood suits are thinking outside of the box and this will have a fantastic result.
As us Norton fans know…if he can bring to the table the angst, paranoia, and fear of himself that he had in “Fight Club” think of what he will bring to this role.
And people let’s not get too snooby about him taking this role. I mean look at the other examples of when “real actors” took on comic roles such as Christian Bale(Batman Begins), Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen(X-Men) and the grandaddy of them all Christopher Reeve(Superman).
I think we can all agree that these resulted in amazing outcomes, so let’s hold off before we start bashing Eddie…and admit it you know you are all interested!!!!
Edward Norton I’m not worried about at all; I think it’s a fine choice. But Zak Penn!!!??? X2 was decent, but he completely blew The Last Stand. And he did NOT do an OK job with the Fantastic Four; that was one of the worst pieces of garbage I’ve seen in a long time. I mean, laughably bad! I couldn’t even bring myself to watch Elektra (I tried on cable once and I just couldn’t watch). I do think the wound is still too fresh from the Ang Lee disaster though. The tone was just so wrong!
Not a huge Ed Norton fan, but I will probably check the movie out.
He is a good actor, but he will only be as good as the script; which needs to go back to the original story. The last one was a fiasco.
Ninedaves, I like your idea of a new generation of X men. Would you go the new Mutants route, Genx or something wild like they did with X-force when they put Mike Allred in charge? Come to think of it, I’d dig it if pretty much any Mike Alred series became a movie…