Should Edward Norton Turn Green Over Not Receiving Writing Credit for The Incredible Hulk?

Posted by Nathan Deen (nathan@filmschoolrejects.com) on June 5, 2008

Edward Norton Hulks Up

If you were to ask me my opinion on who is the most under-appreciated actor working today, Edward Norton would be one of the first names to come to mind. Okay, so we’ve all heard that Norton isn’t an easy guy to work with. He’s basically Dustin Hoffman’s contentious character in Tootsie, or as Roger Ebert pointed out in his review of that film, Dustin Hoffman himself. But at least he takes his work seriously. He has delivered some standout performances in such films as American History X, Fight Club, and most recently, The Painted Veil.

As far as I’m concerned, insult has been added to injury as it was announced recently, via Filmstalker, that Norton’s name will not appear in the writing credits for The Incredible Hulk, the upcoming blockbuster in which Norton will star as the jolly green giant himself. Zak Penn, who has written many other scripts adapted from comic books such as Elektra and Fantastic Four, will get the sole writing credit from the Writers Guild of America.

That kinda makes you wonder if the WGA denied Norton a writing credit just because he’s an actor. If I were Norton, I would have already ripped a good shirt and a pair of pants.

Norton has been ridiculed recently for respectfully disagreeing with helmer Louis Leterrier about the direction of the film. Here’s my two cents: Even though that kind of actor can be a pain in the ass, it’s still good to know that’s he’s passionate about his role, and he wouldn’t have signed on to do it if he didn’t see any potential for the film.

Look, I realize that he’s the star of this film and he will get plenty of accolades if it is a hit, but if Norton contributed a fair amount of his effort to help write the screenplay, then he should get recognition for it. It’s about respect. The more credit nods you have, the more respect you receive. Just look at Citizen Kane and try to tell me otherwise.

The Incredible Hulk will hit theaters next Friday.

Sound Off: Should Edward Norton be upset about not receiving a writing credit, or is it no big deal?

Related Reading:

Comment Policy: No hate speech allowed. If you must argue, please debate intelligently. Comments containing selected keywords or outbound links will be put into moderation to help prevent spam. Film School Rejects reserves the right to delete comments and ban anyone who doesn't follow the rules. We also reserve the right to modify any curse words in your comments and make you look like an idiot. Thank You!

790

Well if the film is a huge hit Norton will get credit and all will be good.

If the films average or bombs Norton's going to bad mouth the studios for not letting him do this or that. It will be real bad.

There's some real Hearts of Darkness behind the scenes I'm betting. Should be more fun to track this then watch maybe?

Cate

This is the second time the WGA screwed Norton out of a writing credit...everyone involved
in the movie Frida said he wrote what's up on the screen, so it seems to me the WGA are a
bunch of a**holes. If the producers saw fit to hire Norton as a screenwriter and he wrote
ONE work that's up there on the screen, then he should get credit, period. I want to point
out that you made a mistake in your piece, though. Norton did not have a disagreement
with Leterrier at all, it was the both of them against Marvel studio. Leterrier said he's had
no problems with Norton at all, so that's important to point out. I wouldn't blame him one
bit for not promoting the movie, because they screwed him out of everything they agreeed
to when he decided to do it...and lets face it, they have NO movie without Edward Norton
and his genius.

Django Djo

I'm glad that he's out there promoting the film w/ Liv & Louis, finally.

I think the real heart and soul behind this operation is Louis Letterier - for the better, by my count. He's out there promoting the baJEEZAS out of this, giving interviews after interviews. Responding to posts. Addressing fans on camera.

Ed Norton is somewhat of a different animal. My response from day 1 is that he is the perfect fit for the role, and hearing that he was re-writing Zack Penn's script was Holy Mother of God MUSIC to my ears. (Zack Penn has penned quite simply the most horrendous dialogue that's EVER landed on a screen. EVER.)

If for only that reason, that Zack effing Penn is getting credit for dialogue and set-pieces that were contractually and totally concieved by Edward Harrison Norton - yeah - I'd be a LITTLE angry.

But I'd get over it, and I'd be out there promoting w/ the cast & director, opening week for sure. Which is exactly what he's doing. Good on him!

Norton's strengths as an actor all lie in conveying TRUTH, w/ conviction. He's NOT the sort who's built for hamming it up on the red carpet.

So in the end, if Louis plays his cards right & does the right thing: WHEN Incredible Hulk's numbers come through and it's a sweeping success that defies it's undeserved negative reputation (a phenomenon familiar to ANY Hulk fan, through the years) - then on the DvD, we will see in full all of the excellent scenes that Norton included, to develop the characters more fully.

Then, years later- after Hulk 3 and Avengers; the 10th anniversary edition will include: THE NORTON CUT.

lopas

Thanks for the great information

Should Edward Norton Turn Green Over Not Receiving Writing Credit for The Incredible Hulk?

Related Topics:

Related Reading: