Avengers Drama

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

I actually liked Eric Bana as Banner AND I thought Ang Lee's approach to the first Hulk movie was good.......not excellent but good! He captured the torment Banner had to go through as himself and the Hulk. Plus the split screen comic book box style was a unique approach to cinematography.

 

[Jet Beetle]

Well, that's what Marvel's saying, but the timeline presented by Norton's reps (in their full statement rather than the excerpt that keeps getting posted on other sites that picked up the story) indicates that it must have been the deciding factor. They say that Norton had a great meeting with Joss Whedon and that everyone was excited about his involvement - and that this was confirmed by Feige himself in a call to Norton's reps. I don't know how you go from there to wanting him out based on their HULK experience - if he was so difficult then, why even have the meetings? They must have balked at the cost.

All I know is Marvel is notorious for treating people like s**t. And releasing stories to Variety about how unprofessional and uncooperative someone is makes no sense if this was truly about cash. People confess budget problems all the time - and for them to come out and say "Look Avengers is a big movie and we need to allocate that money where it counts" Everyone could have waked away happy.

Remember when Mickey Rourke was rumored to play Whiplash and Marvel continued to push back, waiting to see if Rourke won the Oscar - when he didn't the offered him less than half of what they promised
Here's just a few stories on how they've handled things over the years.
Movies - News - Favreau not returning for 'Iron Man 2'? - Digital Spy
'http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/herocomplex/2009/01/nick-fury-no-mo.html
Spider-Man 4, Human Target, Kick-Ass: Jan 6th Comic Reel - Comic Book Resources
Marvel’s Starting Offer for Mickey Rourke as Iron Man Villain: $250,000 | /Film

nuff said

 

[KnightAsylum]

Well, frankly, I want to see The Hulk on screen, not Bruce Banner.

QFT!

I have never had anything but good experiances working with Marvel on the comic side of things, and most of the comic folks I have seen badmouthing them about being treated poorly are ones that were BAD at doing work on time and only when there own issues got them in trouble did they try to start slamming Marvel (typical with many comic companies & artist relationships).
I can't image this is about anything other then money (unless it is about name placement in credits:lol)
I like Norton a lot and love the 2nd Hulk flick but I also expect Actors to act like Actors so I am not shocked with all this. AND in the end don't really care that much. It would have been great if it was him but if not I will see the film regardless and really I want to see characters in costume (or in the Hulk's case transformed) so the less I see of any actor playing the Hulk (or any character in their "regular clothes" the better. :cool

 

[Jet Beetle]

QFT!

I have never had anything but good experiances working with Marvel on the comic side of things, and most of the comic folks I have seen badmouthing them about being treated poorly are ones that were BAD at doing work on time and only when there own issues got them in trouble did they try to start slamming Marvel (typical with many comic companies & artist relationships).
I can't image this is about anything other then money (unless it is about name placement in credits:lol)
I like Norton a lot and love the 2nd Hulk flick but I also expect Actors to act like Actors so I am not shocked with all this. AND in the end don't really care that much. It would have been great if it was him but if not I will see the film regardless and really I want to see characters in costume (or in the Hulk's case transformed) so the less I see of any actor playing the Hulk (or any character in their "regular clothes" the better. :cool

As long as you get your fix:lol

 

[Qui-Gonzalez]

I am right there with him, JB. Give us a PEter David/Dale Keown style Hulk and you just need a voice actor.

 

[hankey01]

Another problem I will have is the lack of continuity by replacing Norton now that Marvel has been intertwining all of these films. They are a series of films now so if the actors in the Avengers don't match the actors in their individual film introductions it will feel out of place.

I loved Norton as Banner (just introduced a friend to the film a couple of weeks ago) so this disappoints me.

 

[Jet Beetle]

I am right there with him, JB. Give us a PEter David/Dale Keown style Hulk and you just need a voice actor.

My true colors are showing here. The business side of show business will always remain brutal because most people don't want to hear about the troubles of millionaires. i myself can't stand Marvel and their way of handling things - course, I've been on the receiving end of the stick with them but I'm not about to go into that mess. Decent is a notion that seems to get in the way now a days, I guess. I've never liked Bullies and myself, would love to see the film community come together against those who fart in the middle of a cocktail party, but we all have our rainbows we chase -- or like that guy on youtube - some of us have two.

 

[jarvis]

Do I remember correctly that Norton did some substantial reworking of the Hulk script? Perhaps that's the problem here, he doesn't like the script, and they don't want him to touch it. Shame on you for having standards Mr. Norton!

 

[Westies14]

He actually liked what Joss told him about the story. By all accounts - including Feige's - Whedon (who's writing and directing) and Norton had a great, positive meeting that left Norton really interested in doing the project. All that's left is money.

No one complained about Norton's work on HULK. He was very involved and dedicated to the project. The trouble there came about during the final edit - Norton felt scenes were being cut that really contributed to the film's narrative, and Marvel wanted a tighter cut with less drama/character stuff.

 

[Jet Beetle]

No one complained about Norton's work on HULK. He was very involved and dedicated to the project. The trouble there came about during the final edit - Norton felt scenes were being cut that really contributed to the film's narrative, and Marvel wanted a tighter cut with less drama/character stuff.

No. Norton insisted on rewriting the script, so much so that Marvel released Zack Penn and turned the work over to Norton (which is why at Comic Con Norton announced to everyone that he was writing the script). For some reason this didn't sit well with Marvel's investors. Not long after that Avi and Arri Arad were let go and Fiege was put in charge.

 

[Capn_Jack_Savvy]

/\ Hmmmm! This sounds familiar!!!

 

[Westies14]

No. Norton insisted on rewriting the script, so much so that Marvel released Zack Penn and turned the work over to Norton (which is why at Comic Con Norton announced to everyone that he was writing the script). For some reason this didn't sit well with Marvel's investors. Not long after that Avi and Arri Arad were let go and Fiege was put in charge.

Thanks for the clarification, Paul! I was under the impression that his script work was welcomed and that his results were viewed positively by those involved in the production... Was that entire aspect contentious?

 

[Serenity]

According to Deadline.com and THR, Mark Ruffalo is in talks to take over the Banner role.

According to sources, Ruffalo does have an offer to play the monstrous hero but not only has he not decided whether he wants the role, he has yet to meet the film’s director, Joss Whedon. Talks are underway for the actor and the director to meet at the end of this week or this weekend.

In case you need a reminder of who he is:

Sites: Mark Ruffalo talks to take on Hulk still early

Mark Ruffalo In Late-Stage Talks To Be Marvel’s New Hulk in ‘The Avengers’ – Deadline.com

 

[themanwoaname]

he's better than norton imo. especially if they havent spoken with bana, which would be stupid if they didnt bother mentioning it to him.

 

[EvilRocketeer]

mark ruffalo is a great replacement

 

[rollerboi]

They should do a Lucasfilm and re-release the Hulk with the new actor CGI'd in so we have continuity into Avengers.

 

[micdavis]

I always thought Liv Tyler was out of Ed Norton's league anyway.

 

[themanwoaname]

i always thought liv tyler is boring looking.

 

[Nightwing Returns]

I think Liv is not right for Betty. She just sucked in the film, and shes not that pretty. Bring back Jennifer Connelly. Shes hott.

 

[ghostryder]

Edward Norton: Marvel’s Decision To Recast Him In ‘Avengers’ About “Business” – Deadline.com