Edward Norton Is Bruce Banner In Hulk Reboot
VARIETY: Norton to star in 'Hulk'Marvel sequel to be released in 2008
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Date in print: Mon., Apr. 16, 2007, Los Angeles
Edward Norton has been set by Marvel Studios to play Bruce Banner in "The Incredible Hulk."
The Louis Leterrier-directed drama will be distributed by Universal Pictures, with an opening set for June 13, 2008.
It is a decided return to the mainstream for Norton, who recently has starred in such indies as "Down in the Valley," "The Painted Veil," and "The Illusionist." Pic will shoot this summer in Toronto.
Norton takes over a role played in the Ang Lee-directed "Hulk" by Eric Bana. Though that film opened strongly, it didn’t fare as well as other Marvel efforts, including "Spider-Man," "X-Men," "Fantastic Four" and, most recently, "Ghost Rider."
Marvel Studios, which has a $525 million credit facility obtained through Merrill Lynch, made "The Incredible Hulk" its second film under that arrangement, and seeks to make a sequel that is less self-serious and more in line with the comic series and TV show. Leterrier directed the action-filled "Transporter 2," and "Unleashed."
The new pic begins with Banner on the run, trying to avoid capture long enough to cure the condition that turns him into a misunderstood green menace.
"Edward Norton is a rare talent and one of the most versatile actors in the business," Marvel Studios production president Kevin Feige said in a statement. "His ability to transform into a particular role makes him the ideal choice to take on the character of Bruce Banner and the Hulk. Edward is perfectly suited to bring one of the most popular and important Marvel icons to the bigscreen in a new and exciting way."
The script for "The Incredible Hulk" was written by Zak Penn, who had a hand in crafting two "X-Men" films, "Fantastic Four" and "Elektra" for Marvel.
"The Incredible Hulk" is being produced by Avi Arad, Gale Anne Hurd and Marvel’s Feige. Jim Van Wyck, David Maisel, Ari Arad and Stan Lee are exec producing.
Norton, who will next be seen starring with Colin Farrell in the Gavin O’Connor-directed New Line drama "Pride and Glory," is repped by Endeavor.
Labels: casting, comics, comics to film, edward norton, film industry, hulk, marvel, remake, seremake, the incredible hulk
posted by Jeff Pidgeon at
11:25 PM
4 Comments:
I would say that the most importat thing to know is if Ilm would take the visual effects one that one too,what Dennis Muren and his team acomplish in the original hulk was just amazing and I don't think the industry give him enought credit for that work.....anyway nice to see the blog running again
Regards
Thanks! I'm happy the blog's running again, too!
I think the Bruce Banner news is pretty important - even though the Hulk will take up a lot of screen time, Banner will be another strong link to the audience identifying with (and feeling for) the character.
I'm a little disappointed that Eric Bana isn't playing the role again, but I really like Edwartd Norton. I think he'll bring a lot of nuance and empathy to the film!
While ILM has done some fantastic work recently in War Of The Worlds and in the Pirates Of The Caribbean films, I don't think that they were as successful in their work on Hulk.
Personally, I'd like to see WETA have a go at The Incredible Hulk - I loved their work on Gollum and King Kong!
Eric Bana is an amazing actor. I'm VERY disappointed he's not playing Banner. I hope they offered it to him, but he turned it down. They probably didn't though. I bet they want to break as many ties with the old Hulk as they can. Unfortunate.
I do like that they are taking some story from the comics. I remember a while ago they had a title come out called "Ultimate Hulk VS. Wolverine" I really liked where that was going, but then it just stopped after two issues. I thought it would make a great movie. Especially a sequel.
Anyhoo, thanks for the heads up!
I imagine Bana was asked, but it may not have been the studio/filmmakers' fault that he didn't return.
If I were him, I might not be interested in revisiting the role either. I can't imagine that it's very rewarding to star in a film where, if the main character/effects work isn't successful, it will heavily eclipse your work.
Post a Comment
<< Home