ROTTEN TOMATOES: Norton Wearing Multiple Hats for The Incredible Hulk Comments

Norton Wearing Multiple Hats for The Incredible Hulk

by Jeff Giles | August 16, 2007

Summary

At Comic-Con's Incredible Hulk panel a few weeks ago, the movie's star, Edward Norton, ruffled some feathers when he claimed to have written the movie's script. Many assumed Norton's remarks were just ego talking, given that Zak Penn had already been announced as the screenwriter (not to mention the repeated rumors of run-ins between Norton and his scripts on various projects). As it turns out (and as the LA Times reports), the truth of the matter is a little more complicated. Back to Article

(1-23 of 23 posts) | Reply

bigbrother writes:
on Aug 16 2007 05:38 AM

Interesting, though I am concerned about the manic way they're going about writing the script. Step back take a second and just do it right.

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Elixor writes:
on Aug 16 2007 06:03 AM

I agree, it's unerving hearing that the screenplay was in such a rush. I'm still very interested to see how this movie turns out.

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halose7en writes:
on Aug 16 2007 06:13 AM

What happened to the Zak Penn I knew from the days of PCU? That was a quality movie!

Oh well. Hope HULK 2 doesn't suck!

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mouse_clicker writes:
on Aug 16 2007 06:32 AM

So did Edward Norton just write the final draft of Zak Penn's screenplay, or did he rewrite the entire thing? The article doesn't exactly make that clear.

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puablo writes:
on Aug 16 2007 07:20 AM

Hey... a complete restarting of the Hulk instead of continuing the crap that was the last movie? Okay, that Edward Norton now actually has me interested.

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MMacKK writes:
on Aug 16 2007 07:33 AM

Zak Penn is a hack, through and through.
Ed Norton is genuine class.

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arendr writes:
on Aug 16 2007 08:21 AM

This has become one of the more interesting film projects in the works. If Norton is writing it, that must mean he sees some serious potential here. Hopefully that will translate into a quality film. If you think about it, this will probably be his biggest movie ever.

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Merlin235 writes:
on Aug 16 2007 08:46 AM

I'm looking forward to this movie. It'll be a neat summer next year. Hopefully it'll be awhile before we see another Fantastic Four movie. They always seem to ruin the summer season for me, for whatever reason.

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Movie person writes:
on Aug 16 2007 08:51 AM

I'm not a Hulk fan, so I'm not really paying that much attention. I just hope it'll be a good movie I can watch.

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opTIMus Nerd writes:
on Aug 16 2007 10:14 AM

I am looking forward to Hulk's rematch with the monster poodles!

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PlanBFromOuterSpace writes:
on Aug 16 2007 10:50 AM

I like Marvel's recent actions in regards to their treatment of movie properties that were just sort of barely hanging in there, like Hulk and Punisher. I like the "more of a re-vamp than sequel approach", as it's really more like something they'd do with the books if the sales were dropping or if fans were unhappy with the product. They're not being cancelled, starting over from scratch, completely disregarding what came before, or continuing a story that people weren't liking. It's simply a change of creative teams. It's a "good jumping on point for new readers" as the ads would say. Just because someone didn't like the first story doesn't mean they don't like the characters, so they take what worked in the first place and just re-build around it and give the fans more of what they want.

I wonder if people would have been a little easier on the dogs if they would have ALL been Great Danes or Pit Bulls or something. I don't care HOW big and mean you make poodles, because they're STILL poodles...

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deneco4 writes:
on Aug 16 2007 11:17 AM

seems rushed and unwanted. I mean, i love Norton and he sounds like just the man for the job, but Batman Begins was like 15 years after Burtons Batman...this one is freakin 4 years from the last one!? I mean...hollywood is relapsing pretty quick these days. I cant wait to see the Spiderman (done right this time) movie.

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TheGreatOne13 writes:
on Aug 16 2007 11:19 AM

hey they were writing the Bourne Ultimatum script on the fly and look how that turned out...go Edward Norton!

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I Am Remote writes:
on Aug 16 2007 12:01 PM

deneco4 is right. Begins was so satisfying after a signifcant Bat-Break. This one seems so close to the first film.

And who knew Norton was such a fanboy?

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bigjimd366 writes:
on Aug 16 2007 12:26 PM

wait, wait so this is not going to be a sequel? Just hollywood's idea of a DO-OVER? I can about imagine how that conversation went.
"Okay, so 'Hulk' did not do as well as we would have liked but I still believe we can make money of this... let's forget 'Hulk' ever happened and add 'The Incredible' to the title and go round two on the entire project."

well-established? And when did Norton write anything? Best of luck to you sir.

Doesn't matter I am still not going to watch it. I only watched the first one because of Jennifer Connelly

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twinsfan2715 writes:
on Aug 16 2007 12:39 PM

i'm not a big hulk fan, but i am a huge Edward Norton fan, hopefully this is a good movie

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arendr writes:
on Aug 16 2007 03:47 PM

It's pretty crazy that this movie got underway so recently, yet it's coming out a month before The Dark Knight...

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arendr writes:
on Aug 16 2007 03:59 PM

In reply to this comment (#1044819)
Norton has been writing for a while now. His writing aspirations are well known in Hollywood. He did an uncredited rewrite on Frida, and has often rewritten lines while on set to better suit him. He has a reputation for being sort of "difficult" to work with, although I from what I've read it's more of his attempt to push the creative boundaries of the project than an ego thing.

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PulpPenguin writes:
on Aug 16 2007 04:48 PM

Geez this article is a bit frustrating, i was at comic con and saw edward norton and for one edward never said he had written the script, when another panel member was asked a question he said that because edward had written the screenplay (not the script) that maybe he should be the one to answer, and as for ego talking, he was probably the most humble person i saw in any event, especially after being followed by robert downy jr. Kinda wierd how quick people are to jump to conclusions when someone is given credit for something they neglected to take credit for.

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highdough writes:
on Aug 16 2007 11:07 PM

In reply to this comment (#1045422)
Uhhh...the script and screenplay are the same thing. And thankfully you didn't write the screenplay, or else it might be as confusing to follow as your post.

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knowingtoast85 writes:
on Aug 17 2007 12:57 AM

Norton had been attached as a writer-director-star to a project called "Motherless Brooklyn" for some time now, and it's fairly well-known that his 11th-hour commandeering of the "American History X" ship steered the film toward a brand new ending. The guy has always had a thing for creative control and has proven that he possesses the good instincts needed to pull it all off.

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PulpPenguin writes:
on Aug 17 2007 03:04 PM

well not really the script is usually a more general outlook to the story, while the screenplay is the final draft and is usually more visually oriented. I know its hard cause they both start with S but theres a subtle difference.

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asirontoiron writes:
on Sep 11 2007 10:43 AM

I'm glad that the Marvel studio is doing this film. and I'm also glad that they relized the first hulk project was awful. I think its good that they're taking something that didnt turn out well and trying to do the character and the fans justice by making a good film. and Edward Norton is a great actor.

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