# The Avengers Movie discussion thread (possible recent superhero movie spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [May 11, 2010, 3:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057 "2010-05-11T15:51:19Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/41 "2010-07-11T01:52:14Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I don’t know him personally…but I’ve never seen Ed Norton and _not_ thought he was a giant douchtool. I think this is his reputation. However, you think they’d want him on the movie since he just played the part. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/42 "2010-07-11T13:11:03Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I don’t know him personally…but I’ve never seen Ed Norton and _not_ thought he was a giant douchtool. What, pray tell, is a douchtool? It’s pronounced “dowk-tool”, correct? Oooooh, wait. _You_ meant to say _ **douche** _tool. I get it now. At any rate, whether Norton is or isn’t a (let’s keep it simple, hmm?) jerk (and I’ve never, ever gotten that impression from watching his considerable talents on screen in a plethora of roles), he certainly put a full effort into making Bruce Banner a well rounded, believable character, _and_ he’s eager to partake of the part again (so he’s not just in it for the paycheck [one would assume]). He deserves to be cast in **The Avengers** , full stop. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/43 "2010-07-11T17:37:42Z")
I’m guessing it is the studio, not Joss Whedon, that would be booting Ed Norton. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/44 "2010-07-11T19:52:12Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > What, pray tell, is a douchtool? It’s pronounced “dowk-tool”, correct? Oooooh, wait. _You_ meant to say _ **douche** _tool. I get it now. > > At any rate, whether Norton is or isn’t a (let’s keep it simple, hmm?) jerk (and I’ve never, ever gotten that impression from watching his considerable talents on screen in a plethora of roles), he certainly put a full effort into making Bruce Banner a well rounded, believable character, _and_ he’s eager to partake of the part again (so he’s not just in it for the paycheck [one would assume]). He deserves to be cast in **The Avengers** , full stop. Oops. I guess spell check doesn’t work well for the word “douchetool” anyway. My impression of that comes from him publicly saying that he was only doing _The Italian Job_ for the paycheck only, and that he wanted nothing to do with the film other than that, and to the best of my knowledge it was for no apparent reason. At least with him gone now you can (essentially) write The Hulk out of the movie for the most part since that bit of “star power” is gone. You can concentrate on the bigger name stars. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/45 "2010-07-11T21:39:02Z")
Ed Norton is a well-known control freak. You don’t want him near a franchise with well-established characters. I’m surprised he got the Hulk role, and (I didn’t watch it) from what I’ve read on Wikipedia, he screwed it up and made it a character study of Bruce Banner instead of a Hulk movie. ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/46 "2010-07-11T21:53:56Z")
No, that was Ang Lee with the \*first \*Hulk film. The second one, with Norton, was actually a perfectly decent action flick. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/47 "2010-07-11T23:51:21Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Oops. I guess spell check doesn’t work well for the word “douchetool” anyway. > > My impression of that comes from him publicly saying that he was only doing _The Italian Job_ for the paycheck only, and that he wanted nothing to do with the film other than that, and to the best of my knowledge it was for no apparent reason. > > At least with him gone now you can (essentially) write The Hulk out of the movie for the most part since that bit of “star power” is gone. You can concentrate on the bigger name stars. But the Hulk would’ve/still would make for a fairly compelling (and convenient) villain for the piece, IMHO. (And no worries about the typo. My posts can often be rife with 'em. 🙂 ) ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2010, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/48 "2010-07-11T23:52:22Z")
> [@Alessan](#): > > No, that was Ang Lee with the \*first \*Hulk film. The second one, with Norton, was actually a perfectly decent action flick. This. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 12:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/49 "2010-07-12T00:33:26Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > Ed Norton is a well-known control freak. You don’t want him near a franchise with well-established characters. I’m surprised he got the Hulk role, and (I didn’t watch it) from what I’ve read on Wikipedia, he screwed it up and made it a character study of Bruce Banner instead of a Hulk movie. Here. I’ll point out the two movies. [Ang’ Lee’s Hulk(2003)](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hulk_%28film%29) - Like that poster said, a rather serious study of Bruce Banner and his daddy issues. [The one with Ed Norton(called the Incredible Hulk)- 2008](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Incredible_Hulk_%28film%29) A fun action comic book movie. Not great, but OK. I actually liked Ang Lee’s Hulk movie as well. ---
**Author:** ![Superhal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Superhal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superhal)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/50 "2010-07-12T00:39:31Z")
From the Wikipedia summary, it seems like Ed Norton’s hulk spent half the movie in South America in a soda bottling facility. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/51 "2010-07-12T01:03:06Z")
The 2003 Hulk could have been a decent movie if they’d just ended it about 2/3 of the way through (with the “you weren’t that hard to find” scene), and saved the bit with the dad turning himself into Elemental-Man (that’s a description; I don’t know if that character has a name) for a sequel. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/52 "2010-07-12T01:22:15Z")
It’s official. Marvel will not be making any movies with Ed Norton, including Avengers. According to Marvel exec, the reason is _not_ financial, but is “ **rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members**.” Ouch. Norton’s agent responded with, ““We know a lot of fans have voiced their public disappointment with this result, but this is no excuse for Feige’s mean spirited, accusatory comments. Counter to what Kevin implies here, Edward was looking forward to the opportunity to work with Joss and the other actors in the Avengers cast, many of whom are personal friends of his. Feige’s statement is unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory. Mr. Norton talent, tireless work ethic and professional integrity deserve more respect, and so do Marvel’s fans.”” [Read about it here(link includes links to further articles.](http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45732) So, three movies, three Hulks(Banners). :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Ephemera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8baadc/32.png) [@Ephemera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ephemera)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/53 "2010-07-12T02:03:39Z")
Alas. As a fan of both Norton and actor continuity, this saddens me just a little, but it’s not like Banner will get much face time, anyway. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 2:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/54 "2010-07-12T02:19:28Z")
> [@JThunder](#): > > Keep Uma Thurman away from this movie and I’ll be happy. Hell, I like Uma, within her limits. Put her in as a small part as a sexy-secretary or minor love interest and she’d be fine. But let’s keep Jessica Alba way, way far away. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/55 "2010-07-12T02:33:00Z")
> [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > I don’t know him personally…but I’ve never seen Ed Norton and _not_ thought he was a giant douchtool. And yet surprisingly, his pants manage to contain him. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/56 "2010-07-12T03:39:19Z")
> [@Mahaloth](#): > > It’s official. Marvel will not be making any movies with Ed Norton, including Avengers. > > According to Marvel exec, the reason is _not_ financial, but is “ **rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members**.” > > Ouch. > > Norton’s agent responded with, ““We know a lot of fans have voiced their public disappointment with this result, but this is no excuse for Feige’s mean spirited, accusatory comments. Counter to what Kevin implies here, Edward was looking forward to the opportunity to work with Joss and the other actors in the Avengers cast, many of whom are personal friends of his. Feige’s statement is unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory. Mr. Norton talent, tireless work ethic and professional integrity deserve more respect, and so do Marvel’s fans.”” > > [Read about it here(link includes links to further articles.](http://www.aintitcool.com/node/45732) > So, three movies, three Hulks(Banners). :rolleyes: This certainly does suck. Still, it pales in comparison to how utterly horrifying it was to me to find out that they’d actually chosen Joss “It’s everybody’s fault _but_ mine” Whedon to direct this thing. That news required several days of bed rest, my friends. Also (and speaking of Whedon): Could the non-casting of Ed Norton signal a change from the Hulk to, uh, She-Hulk? ---
**Author:** ![Justin\_Bailey](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/justin_bailey/32/8792_2.png) [@Justin\_Bailey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Justin_Bailey)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/57 "2010-07-12T04:16:02Z")
> [@MTCicero](#): > > This certainly does suck. Still, it pales in comparison to how utterly horrifying it was to me to find out that they’d actually chosen Joss “It’s everybody’s fault _but_ mine” Whedon to direct this thing. I love how directors are _auteurs_ and the defining voice of a movie when it turns out great. But when a movie flops, then it was because the writer screwed the pooch. Fuck that. Alien 4 wasn’t perfect, but to blame the writer is just retarded. And he’s not even credited on X-Men, so the “Toad/lightning” whiners can move along as well. ---
**Author:** ![MTCicero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a4c791/32.png) [@MTCicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MTCicero)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/58 "2010-07-12T05:03:26Z")
> [@Justin\_Bailey](#): > > And he’s not even credited on X-Men, so the “Toad/lightning” whiners can move along as well. But that was his line. He’s admitted it. But (of _course_!) the reason it didn’t work was not, in fact, that the line had been conceived and put on the page (by Mr. Whedon) in the first place, but that Halle Berry said it the _wrong way_. Yes, I do so loathe Joss Whedon. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/59 "2010-07-12T05:07:01Z")
What, you think she said it the right way? Put it this way: Have you seen any lines like that in anything that Whedon actually had creative control over? ---
**Author:** ![Alessan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alessan/32/465_2.png) [@Alessan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alessan)\ **Post date:** [July 12, 2010, 5:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057/60 "2010-07-12T05:09:03Z")
> [@Superhal](#): > > From the Wikipedia summary, it seems like Ed Norton’s hulk spent half the movie in South America in a soda bottling facility. Just the first act - the film starts with him hiding in Brazil, and has a visually impressive chase scene through a _favella_. He’s back in the U.S. after 15-20 minutes. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-avengers-movie-discussion-thread-possible-recent-superhero-movie-spoilers/539057.md?page=4)