ROTTEN TOMATOES: "Incredible Hulk" Screenwriter Discusses the Norton Signing

"Incredible Hulk" Screenwriter Discusses the Norton Signing

by Scott Weinberg | April 17, 2007

When it comes to adapting comic books, there are several "go-to" screenwriters -- and Zak Penn is absolutely one of 'em. The writer recently shared his thoughts on where "The Incredible Hulk" is headed, plus he even talks a bit about "Iron Man" and the (eventually) upcoming "Avengers" movie!

Mr. Penn (whose non-comic-related flicks include "PCU," "Inspector Gadget," and "Incident at Loch Ness") was very forthcoming about the upcoming "Incredible Hulk" production, but I guess it's easy to be forthcoming when you're genuinely thrilled with the addition of Edward Norton as Bruce Banner: "I worked on the first 'Hulk' movie and I remember talking about how awesome it would be if we got Ed Norton to play this part. He really was up for it the first time. I think Ed Norton's one of the best actors working, and even I was pretty shocked that he wanted to do it." The screenwriter then goes on to make a fairly nifty comparison to The Hulk and Tyler Durden.

But wait, Marvel fans, there's more: "It's not going to be a sequel, but it's hard to describe ... The best description I would say is something like 'Batman Begins' where it's not necessarily out of continuity with the other movies, though that was more of an origin story. It's much more of a reboot, the way that 'Aliens' is a sequel to 'Alien,' but the kinds of movie are different." Damn this guy just keeps saying all the right things!

Mr. Penn then goes on to discuss a little of what he'd like to get out of his "Avengers" screenplay. Could we expect Edward Norton as The Hulk AND Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man in the "Avengers" flick? Maybe! Check out the whole article because the guy also covers his own reactions to the first "Hulk" movie, his affection for the old TV series, how to handle the online backlash that's been following the "Incredible Hulk" project, and just a little taste of what "Iron Man" might be like.

Source: ComingSoon.net

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(1-17 of 17 posts) | Reply

Matanuki writes:
on Apr 17 2007 05:15 AM

Good news all around. Now this I can believe in.

(Reply to this)

Thundaar writes:
on Apr 17 2007 06:38 AM

I agree - except Penn can be hit and miss. I hope this is a hit.

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arpeggio191 writes:
on Apr 17 2007 06:57 AM

my favorite part of all this is how everyone is taking lessons from Chris Nolan and Batman Begins... holy crap the dark knight is going to rule!

Ok, I'm happy with Ed Norton... should be awesome.

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blank blank writes:
on Apr 17 2007 07:08 AM

i agree with thundaar. it sounds like he is saying most of the right things, but he has been hit and miss. i for one cant give a free pass to anyone involved with elektra, so im taking a wait and see approach. but norton has had one bad role in his career (italian job, well two if you count keeping the faith) so he picks solid projects. if norton thinks its good enough, then it probably is.

to me it sounded like penn was taking a veiled shot at eric bana, who was just fine as the first bruce banner.

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Dinalfos 2 writes:
on Apr 17 2007 09:52 AM

This is going to suck so hard. Not even Ed Norton can save it.

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Vitamin M writes:
on Apr 17 2007 10:16 AM

I want to see this...and Iron Man and the Avengers...I'll even watch Captain America if I have to.

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NicoleKid writes:
on Apr 17 2007 11:15 AM

I really like the idea of a new Hulk movie, but how come Eric Bana is not in question for the part? I thought the first Hulk movie was exellent, although I understand those who tought the special effects were too "plastic". Jennifer C. was exellent as well. But then again, if you start comparing it to the Batman-films it makes sense to change the casting. The director better be great though, I'll be really disappointed if this flops...

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dracus writes:
on Apr 17 2007 01:21 PM

Didn't bother to even rent The Hulk, but will go see the next one now that Norton is on board.

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dylan21484nj writes:
on Apr 17 2007 01:25 PM

In reply to this comment (#861813)
yeah, i don't have that much faith in Penn either. didn't he also write X3? sure, it did huge at the box office, but mostly due to the reputation of the first two superior films.

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robsdeli writes:
on Apr 17 2007 03:05 PM

Wait, since when did the Italian Job suck?! I loved that movie as well as a lot of other people I've talked to. And I thought Norton was really good in the role. Anyhoo, I'm psyched about Iron Man and I'm praying this one makes me forget all about #1. God, not even Jennifer Connely could save that. Then again, once he became Hulk and was chased by the army, the movie was pretty cool. (With the exception of Nick Nolte at the end)

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IMAmoose24 writes:
on Apr 17 2007 03:26 PM

The Italian Job was awesome. I'm not too sure about Norton for this job though, but hey, I'll see it if it's worth seeing! And since when is Batman Begins NOT a reboot? It had everything that makes a reboot classify as a reboot (plus the whole joker "calling card" at the end made it clear it was).

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falconhero writes:
on Apr 17 2007 04:50 PM

why is everyone praising this? did anyone see elektra?

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Zen Bullet writes:
on Apr 17 2007 05:33 PM

I'm honestly excited about Norton's casting. However, I do wonder whether he'll save a mediocre film.

He is respected enough to survive the potential fallout.

On the other hand, Zak Penn hasn't just written marginal or forgettable films . . . his resume is stuffed with almost entirely BAD ONES. I find it particularly significant that he thinks the general fan disatisfaction with X-Men 3 was largely an overreaction; that tells me he isn't a strong enough storyteller/writer to spot what went so wrong. It's evident that his heart's in the right place(a good thing) . . . but is he skilled enough to follow suit?

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selke99 writes:
on Apr 17 2007 06:29 PM

I also thought Italian Job was good, well written, not too cheesy for an action movie, and good action. And, uh, I also like Keepin the Faith. I think you would have to put Ed Norton up there as one of the best dramatic actors today. He's gonna be great.

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bribios writes:
on Apr 17 2007 08:40 PM

DAMMIT! Im so sick of everyone calling their movies a "reboot, like Batman Begins". Most overused description by movie makers this year. Besides, isnt it a little too soon for a Hulk "reboot"? Lets give it a decade at least.

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RandomVirus writes:
on Apr 18 2007 06:29 AM

I'm curious how you can think Zak Penn is a 'go-to' screenwriter, considering the only good super-hero movie on his list of accolades is X-Men 2, and that was written predominantly by David Hayter.

I'm glad I know right now that this movie won't be worth the time it takes to pirate it off the net to watch it.

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dylan21484nj writes:
on Apr 18 2007 08:14 AM

In reply to this comment (#861827)
well he did write X3 (with Simon Kinberg), as earlier started in this thread. and how involved were Mike Dougherty and Dan Harris in the writing? they came up with the story, along with Hayter. you'll notice how story-driven and action-light Superman Returns was with Harris and Dougherty doing the writing without Penn and how much of X3 was driven by the action and how weak the story was without Dougherty and Harris involved. there's a definite difference.

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