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Hulk Mad! - Marvel and Norton Wrangle Over Final-Cut

by Kevin Powers
March 12, 2008
Source: Deadline Hollywood, SlashFilm

It's certainly odd timing that with the long-awaited debut of The Incredible Hulk trailer tonight, we receive word today from Deadline Hollywood that Marvel Studios and Ed Norton are having less-than-amicable discussions as to the film's final cut. The marketing for the film has certainly been slow compared to the likes of Iron Man and The Dark Knight, considering Hulk is due out June 13th of this year. Not only that, Norton needs to overcome the bitter-taste of Ang Lee's 2003 rendering. And now today we hear that "There's a problem. Marvel won't listen to Norton about the cut." The Hulk certainly has some heavy lifting to do.

But is anyone really surprised by this latest news? Norton not only rewrote the script but he is also the lead in the $150+ million production, playing the same role assumed by Eric Bana in 2003 as Bruce Banner. Couple this with the actor's deep, personal interest in the film - we outlined that in our Comic-Con post from last year - and you have someone with a strong, vested opinion. It only stands to reason that there would be involved discussions when the inevitable time came to reconcile Norton's vision with Marvel's. That time is today, apparently.

Save for the fact that the movie is due out in almost exactly three short months, I would speculate that there's little to worry about with this news. True, Norton has a reputation for having some heavy-handed opinions (The Italian Job, American History X); but, really, what big-name wouldn't if they were writing and starring in something as mammoth and challenging as the Hulk?

Nikki Finke from Deadline Hollywood quotes an insider who seems a bit hyperbolic, stating "Never let an actor write a script. Marvel made a mistake letting the wolf into the hen house." Really? The "wolf?"

Personally, I like Norton a lot and am really looking forward to his take on the Hulk story. As he mentioned earlier this year, "to me the whole thing was to envision it in multiple parts. We left a lot out on purpose. It's definitely intended as chapter one." The first step is always the hardest. To read more about the battle, head over to Deadline Hollywood.

Watch the trailer tonight and let us know what you think!

Explore tags: Discussion, Movie News, Opinions, Rumors

carg0

what a surprise, it's going to be a bomb...
JOHN

CRAP WITH A CAPTIAL C
http://heroesarg.com Frank

Where's the trailer debuting?
http://www.firstshowing.net Alex Billington

On FirstShowing.net! Check out the front page Frank, it's up now...
Buttons

judge judge judge, let us judge
Djoser

Norton is exactly the person we need at the helm to this film. What might very well happen is that there will be an extended cut, or a director's cut which will land on the dvd- which, when you look at Lord of the Rings- becomes a VERY smart creative and marketing move. Get it out in theatres because people are waiting for it. Then include all the juicy extras, so they pony up the dough again for their home collection. Listen up, Norton: WE WANT THE HULK. I will say, though, that if I have to wait the whole movie to see the Hulk again, I'm going to blow chunks. I am very, very, very eagerly anticipating the release of this movie. And you wouldn't like me when I'm eager...
Tom

Well, Djoser, I wouldn't be very surprised at all if we didn't see Hulk til at least halfway through the movie (ala Batman Begins), especially if this is intended to be a "first chapter," as Norton says.
Djoser

Norton is SUCH the right man for this job. But they need to get people in those seats, including every 10 year old kid (like my nephew) and their Dad, to munch down on popcorn and tell everyone they know to go see this movie. Norton's done a great job carrying the weight of the Hulk's character onto the screen, from the looks of it- now their team also has the responsibility to deliver audiences to those goddamn mega-plexes that have covered this country, like some kind of celluloid-phobic disease... As a lifelong Hulk and longtime Norton fan, I'll easily settle for a DVD director's cut if that means they can get a version into the theatre's worth telling people to go see that instant! And Tom- I know what you're saying, but from the looks of it there'll be a 'human' Hulk hunt early in the film (Brazil to New York, I think), some army experimentation courtesy of Thunderbolt Ross in the middle, and then the Abomination as the climactic 3rd Act villain. Not to mention Sam Sterns, Doc Samson, Tony Stark all of whom will make appearances, according to the credits. (Would be awesome if Sam Jackson made an appearance as Nick Fury, but they might be saving that for later. Way to go Marvel, for using their own creative ownership to start cross-pollinating their characters throughout their movies! ...That must be kind of weird for an actor, tho- 'you're in this movie, but we also need you to do a part in this other one'... but hey, if they're paying the plane ticket, who's to complain?)
Carlos hernandez

the trailer was badasss, i loved it, the story so far looked good, i probably dont know much bout movies stuff cuz i am fifteen but it sure as hell looks better than the hulk in 2003. this new hulk looks tougher,meaner,angrier. abomination looks pretty bad ass too. i think its gonna be a good movie.cuz im a big fan of the HULK. Norton rocks!!!