Amidst the barrage of jabs directed at the renowned actor during The Comedy Central Roast of Bruce Willis, not every quip was aimed squarely at the Die Hard luminary. In typical roast fashion, these events often encompass roasters targeting each other or anything else that suits their fancy. Edward Norton joined the party too.
Edward Norton, Willis’ co-star from Moonrise Kingdom, exhibited a knack for witty one-liners aimed at Willis, but he also reserved some playful jabs for his stint with Marvel Studios. Reflecting on his attempt to channel action-hero status akin to Willis, Norton, who starred in The Incredible Hulk, humorously lamented.
Edward Norton Did Not Gel Well With Marvel
Many intricate particulars concerning the interactions between Edward Norton and Marvel during the production of the second film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Incredible Hulk, remain shrouded in uncertainty. What can be asserted, however, is that their collaboration faced challenges. Norton’s aspiration for an improved script is evident, as he took it upon himself to revise the original screenplay. Further complexities arose during the editing phase, with substantial portions of the filmed material ultimately omitted from the final version. Disparate viewpoints between Norton and other parties also surfaced regarding the optimal length of the film.
What remains evident is the substantial nature of the discord between Edward Norton and Marvel. This divergence became consequential, leading to the most noteworthy recasting shift within the MCU: Mark Ruffalo was enlisted to assume the role of Bruce Banner for The Avengers and has continued to portray the character ever since.
Drawing from Edward Norton’s second foray into the Marvel realm during the Roast (as per The Hollywood Reporter), it appears he holds reservations about the ultimate outcome not meeting the anticipated standards. He asserts that aspiring to match the quality of the least impressive film helmed by another director with comic book expertise wasn’t an unattainable objective, yet the movie fell short of attaining this mark.
“I thought we should try to make one Marvel movie that was as good as the worst Chris Nolan movie, but what the hell was I thinking.”
Undoubtedly, viewpoints on the matter will vary, but a considerable number could contend that The Dark Knight Rises stands as Christopher Nolan’s least acclaimed cinematic creation.
The Incredible Hulk Sequel Had Multiple Hulks
As Edward Norton’s exit led to Mark Ruffalo stepping into the Hulk’s shoes, the individual who’s perpetually “angry” found his new form. Ruffalo’s incarnation of Dr. Bruce Banner made a grand entrance in The Avengers, swiftly capturing the affection of fans. His journey expanded across numerous films, including Avengers: Age of Ultron, Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, and Captain Marvel. Furthermore, he graced the screen in the series She-Hulk: Attorney At Law.
Following the re-casting, a multitude of sequel concepts emerged. Despite garnering positive reviews and box office triumph, along with the director laying groundwork for a follow-up, the plans ultimately languished. Throughout various stages, MCU mastermind Kevin Feige alluded to the prospect of additional standalone Hulk movies, with a particular emphasis on delving into the Planet Hulk narratives.
The Incredible Hulk is available for streaming on Disney+.
Source: Cinemablend
