Ed Norton Wants Hulk Franchise
Filed under: Action, Sci-Fi & Fantasy, Universal, Fandom, Comic/Superhero/Geek, Remakes and Sequels
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Universal has to be really hoping The Incredible Hulk is better received than 2003's Hulk, because according to Edward Norton, the 2008 comic book adaptation is expected to be the first of many. The actor talked exclusively with Total Film magazine and had this to say: "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." (Quote retrieved from Ace Showbiz.) You may recall that Norton himself wrote the final draft of the screenplay for The Incredible Hulk, so he would know what was "left out." He could also be hinting that he means to write the sequels as well. But what happens if this version of the Marvel comic is not successful? Will it feel incomplete if it ultimately exists as a dead end? It is hard to imagine just how much better The Incredible Hulk will be than Ang Lee's film, which really only failed because of a badly rendered Hulk and a truly awful climax. The title character will still be computer animated and the story could still have a disappointing denouement (we've never really witnessed Norton's writing skill before), and it's not unfair to say that Louis Leterrier is not quite as talented a director as Lee. Norton seems quite confident that he's going to deliver something possibly comparable to Christopher Nolan's Batman Begins in quality and tone, but it's easy for comic book geeks to be skeptical. Only 3% of Cinematical readers expect The Incredible Hulk to be the best comic book film of 2008. While that's not surprising since we've also got The Dark Knight and Iron Man to look forward to this summer, it still makes me wonder how many moviegoers expect The Incredible Hulk to be any good at all. So, I ask you:
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
1-24-2008 @ 12:21PM
kevjohn said...
Everytime someone mentions how bad Ang Lee's Hulk was, someone always steps forward and proclaims their fondness for it. Today I shall be that huckleberry.
I liked Hulk. I own the dvd and have watched it about once every 4 or 5 months. That said, the new one may indeed end up being better, in a summer action-packed blockbustery kind of way, but there's still little chance it'll be the best comic book film of the year. The Batman will rule the year.
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1-24-2008 @ 1:01PM
madgamer said...
Ironman has had an awesome trailer out for a while now, and just based on the last one and the promo material, it's pretty safe to assume the next batman will rock too. It's not really that odd that very few people would think this Hulk will be the best, considering it has shown the least footage etc. of the three.
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1-24-2008 @ 2:02PM
MR.R said...
The first Hulk features a Hulk French Poodle. That is how bad it was, it had a killer, giant, French Poodle in it... please!
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1-24-2008 @ 4:16PM
Cate Malone said...
Actually, Edward Norton has written a lot before, albeit uncredited b/c he only recently became a member of The Writer's Guild. He wrote the screenplay for "Frida", he wrote some of the dialogue for "The Score" including a scene with Robert De Niro. He's very talented indeed. The Hulk is going to be "incredible" with him in it!!
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1-26-2008 @ 12:09AM
Daniel Plumey said...
Based on the fact that the VFX group is Academy Award winning Rythmn & Hues, I expect quality FX. A passionate fan of the Hulk, talent like Norton only enhances the script and character. Leterrier's style will quiet the doubters. This Hulk will be to 2003 version what Batman Begins was to the 1989 Batman: Dark, better and a balanced movie. Norton will see to that. Ang Lee's attempt was a lot of emotional mumbo jumbo and not enough Hulk smash! Did we mention (Hold on, I think I'm gonna throw up) the killer poodle?
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