No Edward Norton for The Avengers

[Dick Whitman]

I can't believe they go to all this trouble in creating a universe, and then blow it.

If you're not gonna' have the same actors, what's the point?

Fuck you, Feige.

This film universe has been a house of cards waiting to collapse this whole time. Even with the best planning, which Marvel has NOT shown, you can not control or predict how a large group of people will act in the future. Actors and crew members from various films who had worked independently of the other. All these cutesy cameos and release date timelines of these so-called interconnected films did not actually deal with the egos of all involved.

Now that Banner is being recast it makes TIH seem like empty setup for something that never will happen. Its an ok movie. But not one thats really stands on its own. The fact that its last scene was of Tony Stark and not Banner himself was very revealing. Iron Man 2 suffered similarly to due to all the SHIELD focus.

 

[coolghoul]

I am disappointed that Marvel chose to drop Norton and even more disappointed in the way they worded that announcement. One of the things that still mars superhero movies is that people stereotype that leads for these movies are not good actors. That leads to people generally thinking of superhero movies as shallow. I was very happy when somebody of the caliber of Jackman, Bale, Downey or Norton started taking on these lead roles. They bring a certain gravity and seriousness to the genre which I liked where people would laugh at the spandex-clad set. With serious actors, came serious scripts and directors to match.

If Avengers fails to be a good movie (and there's a fair chance that it will be a bad movie - it's hard to make an ensemble movie which has to do all the stuff that the fist movie in the Avengers franchise needs to do), then it will be bad for Marvel and for this genre as a whole.

 

[Timby]

Wow, Marvel's statement is a pretty big "fuck you" to Ed Norton. These things are usually handed with more finesse, at least in PR terms.

It just looks like egos got bruised on both sides. Ed Norton probably read the script, didn't like parts of it relating to his role/part/character in the script; made a stink asking for major re-writes; marvel production said, "No." - Norton said, "Bye."

According to most, including Kevin Feige himself, Norton and Whedon met to discuss The Avengers, and Norton emerged from the meeting feeling wildly enthusiastic about his role in the story. I highly doubt this was a decision based on creative issues.

However, as I said earlier, I have no problem imagining that Marvel said, "You will play the role as written and you will not become a jackass during production and rewrite the movie, and you will not become a jackass during post-production and re-edit the movie. Your character's role is limited and you will be paid less than you received for starring in The Incredible Hulk. These are the terms."

It does suck, especially since the entire point of making The Incredible Hulk in the first place was to re-establish the character in the Marvel Film Universe for later use in The Avengers, and since Norton was so integral to The Incredible Hulk actually being good.

In any event, I'm certain that both sides are spinning and stretching the truth. I highly doubt that this was entirely about Norton's behavior (Marvel's side), nor was this entirely about money (Norton's side). As with many things, the truth is somewhere in the middle.

 

[exodus]

If Norton was demanding a bigger role or insisting on rewrites, then I can see why Marvel got sick of him.

While sometimes it's beneficial to have an actor who likes to branch out and put his hands into other aspects of the production, on some films you really just want actors who will shut up and do their jobs and leave the writing, directing, editing, etc. to the appropriate personnel.

I still like Norton, but it would not surprise me at all if he was seeking a disproportionate level of influence over the movie and that's why they sacked him.

IMO Marvel are still the idiots.

After seeing all the great acting work that was edited out of the Incredible Hulk, I trust Notron's judgement of what makes a good film over Marvel. Marvel not listening to the right people is what got us X3, Wolverine & Thomas Jane's Punisher. I have no doubt TIH would have been a much better recieved film with Norton's input & cut.

 

[Greg Cox]

Honestly, I can't get worked up about this. It's not like this is a Hulk movie. So they recast Banner? Big deal. It doesn't affect the plot or continuity at all. It's just a different actor playing the same character. Happens all the time.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Marvel not listening to the right people is what got us X3, Wolverine & Thomas Jane's Punisher.

Were any of these Marvel productions?

 

[Greg Cox]

Marvel not listening to the right people is what got us X3, Wolverine & Thomas Jane's Punisher.

Were any of these Marvel productions?

No.

Those were produced by other studios, over which Marvel had minimal control. The only films Marvel has produced on their own are the two IRON MAN movies and THE INCREDIBLE HULK. The rest were all licensed to third parties.

 

[FPAlpha]

Woah.. i've rarely seen such a huge "Fuck you!" in entertainment.

That was a grade A insult to Norton implying he's not a teamplayer and that Marvel prefererred someone who'll just do the job and not butt in on the production.

While many actors are big pain in the ass types with overinflated egos Norton has the skill and intelligence to match it and deliver.

It was very unwise for Marvel to kick him in the nuts like that.. i don't believe Norton is the type who wants to hog an ensemble movie (see his performance in Kingdon of Heaven.. the entire time behind a mask and just a secondary role but an important one) but wants the best story possible and a Whedon/Norton team up would just be awesome.

Just a bad move Marvel.

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

It should be remembered that when Marvel brought Norton on board to star in The Incredible Hulk it was with the understanding that he'd do a rewrite and that he'd have a seat at the table as far as creative control. It's not like he tried to horn in on the creative direction of the movie out of nowhere. Things obviously got very tense when Marvel and Norton disagreed over the final cut, but the extent to which Marvel or Norton was in the wrong is hard to say. It could well be that Marvel reneged on their initial promises to Norton about the type of film they were looking to make and how much say he'd have in shaping the film.

Norton has put a note up on his Facebook page about this turn of events. He keeps it classy. You can read the note here.

 

[Aragorn]

Time for Warner to announce a Justice League movie with Ryan Reynolds as Green Lantern, Jim Caviezel as Superman, Stana Katic as Wonder Woman, Josh Holloway as Green Arrow, Dennis Haysbert as Martian Manhunter.... and Edward Norton as The Flash.

 

[Nerys Myk]

Is Phoenix back from "retirement"?

 

[Nerys Myk]

duplicate

 

[Nerys Myk]

Is Phoenix back from "retirement"? Or did Marvel just pull a name out of a hat?

 

[Out Of My Vulcan Mind]

Is Phoenix back from "retirement"? Or did Marvel just pull a name out of a hat?

They want a stable, reliable team player, so his name naturally sprang to mind.

 

[coolghoul]

^ That was funny!

 

[Robert Maxwell]

If Norton was demanding a bigger role or insisting on rewrites, then I can see why Marvel got sick of him.

While sometimes it's beneficial to have an actor who likes to branch out and put his hands into other aspects of the production, on some films you really just want actors who will shut up and do their jobs and leave the writing, directing, editing, etc. to the appropriate personnel.

I still like Norton, but it would not surprise me at all if he was seeking a disproportionate level of influence over the movie and that's why they sacked him.

IMO Marvel are still the idiots.

After seeing all the great acting work that was edited out of the Incredible Hulk, I trust Notron's judgement of what makes a good film over Marvel. Marvel not listening to the right people is what got us X3, Wolverine & Thomas Jane's Punisher. I have no doubt TIH would have been a much better recieved film with Norton's input & cut.

I agree it was a stupid decision, I'm just saying I can see Marvel's "logic," such as it is. Norton may be difficult to work with but he's one of those guys whose presence is worth the trouble. He does everything he can to turn out a good film, even against the "better judgment" of the studio.

That's just not what Marvel is looking for here.

 

[Turtletrekker]

i'm still going to see it.

Me too. But I'll throw popcorn at the poor schmuck they recast for the role.

I'll have nothing against the actor who takes the part, but I will boo and throw popcorn at the screen when I see the name "Kevin Feige" in the credits.

 

[Turtletrekker]

Ed Norton showing far more class than Kevin Feige...

As most of you know, I don’t like to talk much about the business of making movies because it means a lot to me to protect the audience’s fullest enjoyment of the ‘magic’ that films can have. But I am so appreciative of the outpouring of support from fans of the Hulk and the Avengers that I feel it would be rude not to respond. So here goes: It seems it won’t work out for me to continue playing Bruce Banner for Marvel in The Avengers. I sincerely hoped it would happen and be great for everyone, but it hasn’t turned out as we all hoped. I know this is disappointing to many people and that makes me sad. But I am very sincerely grateful to Marvel for extending the offer and even more so for giving me the chance to be a part of the Hulk’s long and excellent history. And I really can’t thank the fans enough for how much enthusiasm you’ve sent my way about what Louis [Leterrier] and I tried to do in our turn with the legend. It means a lot to me. I grew up with Banner and the Hulk and have been a fan of every incarnation. I’m really proud, and very blessed, to have been one of them and will be thrilled to see him live on through other actors. Hulk is bigger than all of us, that’s why we love him, right?

 

[Obiwanshinobi]

That quote was on Ed's Facebook FYI.

 

[JacksonArcher]

Ed Norton has class.