We've been hit with back to back tragedies lately with the Myanmar cyclone and the China earthquake. The China earthquake coverage has been very difficult for me to watch since I had been in China on vacation last September and met
wonderful people. However, the most memorable part for me was my visit to Wolong Nature Reserve, the main research
and breeding site for Giant Pandas, and the people
I met there. Unfortunately, it is located close to the earthquake's epicenter. There still has been no word from the center since the earthquake. It is difficult to reach, especially if the only road was damaged by the quake. I worry about how supplies will make it to the area. The National Zoo will provide updates as information comes in. So now I guess we wait.
BBC News: Quake fears for key panda reserve.
UPDATE:
National Geographic has posted that the Wolong pandas are safe. The road has been damaged. There is no additional information on
safety of the staff or whether there has been damage to the center. My
pics of Wolong are below.
EN gave a great interview to Contribute
[Thanks to Kristi for the info!!!]. The LA Times has published a few interesting articles: one on the Hulk:
'Hulk's'
biggest obstacle: Ang Lee's version [Thanks to Robin for the info!!!] and then one on movie title names,
which talks about trying to name Pride and GlorySome movies are entitled to do well. A snippet of the article is below.
When they met last year with executives at New Line Cinema, marketing consultants Seth Lockhart and Jamil Barrie pitched their 10 favorite alternative titles for "Pride and Glory," a police drama starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell. Then they passed around a report with dozens of others that didn't make their cut.
"One of Our Own" caught the eye of Russell Schwartz, New Line's marketing chief at the time, who asked, "What's wrong with this one?"
That's when Lockhart, who hated "One of Our Own" because it sounded to him like a tag line, gave a kick under the table to Barrie -- who thought it perfectly suited the tale of cops betrayed by a corrupt colleague. When even the partners who call their consulting firm TitleDoctors disagree, it's clear the business of naming movies can be tricky.
EN's father Edward M Norton and his wife Ann McBride Norton spoke at a high school in Baton Rouge early in
April. An article on them has been published on 2theadvocate.com [Thanks to Robin for the
info!!!]
More photos from EN's speech from the Earth Day on the Mall are up on Wireimage.com
and Moviefone.com [Thanks to Robin and Eva for the info!!!]
April 24, 2008
EN's Earth Day speech, Tim Roth on Hulk, EN's persistence pays off
EN's Earth Day on the Mall speech has been posted on YouTube [Thanks to Rita for the info!!!].
Tim Roth talked about his character The Abomination in The Incredible Hulk to MTV news. Also, producer Gale Anne Hurd talked to Sci Fi Wire about how important EN was to
the film.
An article on Naomi Watts in today's Herald Sun has more info on how EN got Watts to do the role in The Painted Veil
Edward Norton picks up the phone and dials Naomi Watts' number -- again.
Calling Watts has become something of a Groundhog Day experience for Norton, who knows the Australian acting darling is busy basking in Academy Award accolades, having just been nominated in the best actress category for 21 Grams.
It's 2004 and Norton is bent on enlisting the actor to play upper-class English socialite Kitty in
1920s romantic drama The Painted Veil.
Though his persistence should be applauded, the in-demand Watts has just finished a gruelling eight-month shoot for King Kong and is longing for time out.
‘‘I was tired and wasn't sure I wanted to work again for at least that part of the year,'' the 39-year-old recalls, four years later.
She's in Sydney with her ‘‘little Aussie battler'' son Alexander and partner Liev Schreiber, the American actor here to film Wolverine alongside Hugh Jackman.
Though Watts was tired, Norton wasn't backing down. Seven years after he began adapting Somerset Maugham's 1925 novel for the big screen, his nagging paid off. Watts signed on to play Kitty and to co-produce the film.
‘‘It was a long time in the making and a lot of time to think about it. Edward first sent me the script five years ago,'' Watts says.
‘‘The minute I read it, I fell in love with the story. It is a love story, but there are these two very complicated people who are on their separate journeys and through loving each other they learn to love themselves.
‘‘Kitty has a major transformation. She is very different by the end, and that's what you look for in a role, some kind of major growth.
[Article continues]
April 23, 2008
On Newsstands, Ecorazzi, Hulk director, Earth Day Concert photos, Hulk photos and footage
Don't forget to catch Strange Days on Planet Earth tonight. EN is in two magazines on stands this week. The first is Entertainment Weekly' s Summer Movie Preview (Indiana Jones cover). This is the same article that I mentioned my April 16 update that contains EN's first response to the coverage of his reported disagreements with Marvel over the Hulk: 'The Incredible Hulk': Behind-the-Scenes Drama. The second magazine is this week's TV Guide (SVU cover Apr 21-27) has a one page article (with a good pic) in which EN talks about Strange Days on Planet Earth.
EN has another interview on Strange Days up at Ecorazzi
SciFi Wire has an interview with Hulk director Louis Leterrier. Leterrier blames the press (specifically the blogger who first reported the story) for making too much out of the disagreements. I noticed something a little strange in the Sci-Fi Wire article: "Asked if he found it difficult to work with Norton, Leterrier said 'No.' 'For example, I never, ever heard about the [rumored] Edward Norton problems [with director Tony Kaye] on American History X,'" However, in the earlier EW article, Leterrier talked about being nervous when EN was hired: ''The stories I heard about Edward — they scared the bejesus out of me,'' he says. ''I was scared the guy would come in and say, 'All right, you're a little French director who's just done action movies, so you stick to the action and I'll do the drama.''' So if Leterrier hadn't heard the AHX story, what were the EN stories that "scared the bejesus" out of him?
If you missed EN's appearance yesterday on the Today show, it is available on MSNBC [Thanks to Jen and Robin for the info!!!]. If you missed EN's chat yesterday, it's available on Washintonpost.com [Thanks to Eva for the info!!!]. You can catch EN's "Bag the Bag" video
that EN mentioned on the Today Show at National Geographic.com [Thanks to Stephanie for the info!!!]
Photos of EN at the Earth Day concert are up at WENN but the enlargements have ugly watermarks on them. However, some good enlargements are at LaineyGossip.com [Thanks to Mary Beth and Myrna for the info!!!].
EN is scheduled to do an online chat tomorrow at noon Eastern Time
to talk about Strange Days on Planet Earth in honor of Green Week. It
is being held by the Washington Post in partnership with Slate. You can
submit your questions and comments ahead of time. Green Week: 'Strange Days on Planet Earth' [Thanks to Eva for the info!!!]
Don't forget that EN is scheduled to be on the Today show tomorrow. Plus two new episodes of Strange Days on Planet Earth will start airing on PBS on Wednesday.
Despite terrible weather, EN did get a chance to speak at the Earth Day on the Mall concert in DC. Unfortunately, the coverage that I've read have not included any of his comments Washington Post: Raining on Her Own Parade
April 18, 2008
glorious 'Glory' review, Hulk poster, EN's secret identity, 10 year anniversary
io9.com points out that the "[Incredible Hulk] poster is - presumably intentionally - a recreation of one of the most famous Marvel covers ever: Amazing Spider-Man #50".
A sharp-eyed visitor noticed that Hulk poster reads "Screenplay by Zak Penn and Edward Harrison". According
to Courtney Love (People Vs. Larry Flynt special edition DVD cast commentary), Harrison is EN's middle name. I find it very
strange that EN would be using a pseudonym (although, this being a superhero film, maybe he wanted his own secret identity).
Why use a pseudonym when EN himself has stated that he wrote the script? I don't know. [Thanks to Donna for the info!!!]
The website has hit a big milestone. As of April 7, we have been up for 10 years. I'm a little late in celebrating
the occasion, first because of my vacation and then returning to a pile of work. It's also one of those times for reflection.
Rounders and American History X had not yet come out and Fight Club hadn't even started filming. Not
only has Edward made more excellent films, but he has also moved into the roles of director, producer, and
screenwriter, forming his own production company Class 5 Films. His commitment to charitable organizations has been there for
the entire 10 years, but the number of charities have increased (EN's charities). With
The Incredible Hulk, Pride and Glory, Leaves of Grass and the untitled Obama documentary on the horizon,
there is a lot to look forward to from Edward Norton.
This anniversary is special to me for another reason. I'm pregnant with my first child and due in October (right around
my birthday). I've had no morning sickness and I've been feeling fairly well except for fatigue and the need for endless trips to the bathroom. My nuchal translucency ultrasound is below (the baby passed with flying colors) and in a few weeks I'll find out the gender. I've ruled out Tyler Durden and Marla as possible name choices.
Next Tuesday, EN is scheduled to be a guest on the Today show.
April 16, 2008
EN's statement on Hulk
EW.com has posted an article 'The Incredible Hulk': Behind-the-Scenes Drama which includes a statement by EN on his reported disagreements with Marvel over the film. Director Louis Leterrier also was interviewed for the article. According to
Leterrier, "[Marvel] wanted to release the most commercial film possible: lots of action and a running time under two hours. Norton and Leterrier, however, lobbied for a more meditative cut of the film that ran about two hours and 15 minutes." I think this article reveals an important point that has not been brought up in any of the previous articles about this subject: both EN and director Leterrier were together on their vision for the film, rather than EN versus everyone else.
EW.com- 'The Incredible Hulk': Behind-the-Scenes Drama
THE FULL TEXT OF EDWARD NORTON'S E-MAILED STATEMENT
"Like so many people I've loved the story of The Hulk since I was a kid, so it was thrilling when Marvel asked me to write and help produce an altogether new screen incarnation, as well as play Bruce Banner. I grew up reading Marvel Comics and always loved the mythic dimension and contemporary themes in the stories, and I’m proud of the script I wrote. In every phase of production, including the editing, working with Louis Leterrier has been wonderful...I've never had a better partner, and the collaboration with all the rest of the creative team has been terrific. Every good movie gets forged through collaboration, and different ideas among people who are all committed and respect the validity of each other's opinions is the heart of filmmaking. Regrettably, our healthy process, which is and should be a private matter, was misrepresented publicly as a 'dispute,' seized on by people looking for a good story, and has been distorted to such a degree that it risks distracting from the film itself, which Marvel, Universal and I refuse to let happen. It has always been my firm conviction that films should speak for themselves and that knowing too much about how they are made diminishes the magic of watching them. All of us believe The Incredible Hulk will excite old fans and create new ones and be a huge hit...our focus has always been to deliver the Hulk that people have been waiting for and keep the worldwide love affair with the big green guy going strong.''
April 14, 2008
Hulk poster
IGN.com has posted the first look at the Incredible Hulk poster.
However, some good news for gamers: EN , Liv Tyler, Tim Roth, Tim Blake Nelson and William Hurt have agreed to contribute their voices and likenesses to the Hulk Video game. Superheroflix.com
March 14, 2008
more on editing disagreement, Hulk stills, Hulk trailer in theaters
Today's NY Daily News has an article on the editing disagreements between EN and Marvel Studios over The Incredible Hulk. The story doesn't have much more to it than what was reported earlier by Nikki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily (see March 11 update), but it does have a statement from EN's spokeswoman;
Edward was brought on board by Marvel as a producer, screenwriter and actor, so it shouldn't surprise anyone that he has a lot of creative input into the postproduction process. His deal was for all three and he takes those roles seriously. He and [director] Louis Leterrier are enjoying a terrific working relationship. Any discussions happening now are part of the normal creative process of making a movie, the give and take among everyone trying to make the best movie possible.
If you missed the premiere of the Incredible Hulk trailer, you can view it online at MTV.com
There is a great article on EN up at Mindfood.com [Thanks to Tom for the info!!!]
March 12, 2008
Obama doc
Today's Variety has more on EN's Obama documentary
Norton to shop Obama documentary
Actor, Class 5 Films ready campaign feature
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Edward Norton and his Class 5 Films are prepping to shop a feature documentary about the historic presidential campaign mounted by Sen. Barack Obama.
Class 5 has engaged Endeavor partner Ari Emanuel and lawyer Andrew Hurwitz to make a distribution deal for a film the company is producing for release in 2009. Doc has financing in place from Good, Green Film Co. and Citi Prods.
Amy Rice and Alicia Sams are directing the as-yet-untitled pic. They began shooting footage before Obama’s declaration of candidacy to become the Democratic Party’s 2008 presidential nominee. Emanuel, who guided the sales of Sacha Baron Cohen’s pseudo-docs "Borat" and "Bruno," and the Michael Moore docs "Sicko" and "Fahrenheit 9/11," has been an outspoken supporter of Obama. The brother of Rep. Rahm Emanuel (D-Ill.) has organized meet-and-greets in Hollywood and hosted fund-raisers for Obama. Norton, a longtime Endeavor client, has also been a supporter, reportedly donating to Obama’s campaigns.
Norton said the motivation behind the film was not to glorify its subject. Its genesis came during a chat between Norton, his Class 5 partners Bill Migliore and Stuart Blumberg and the directors right after Obama raised his national profile with a memorable speech during the Democratic National Convention in 2004.
"We were all so struck by Barack’s speech and talked about how exciting it was to see someone from our generation, not our parents’, make his presence felt in such an inspiring way," Norton told Daily Variety. "It was akin to the way I remembered my dad describing how he felt when Kennedy gave his inauguration speech.
"At the time, he was the new senator from Illinois. None of us had voted for him or contributed to his campaigns. None of us was saying, ‘I want to back this guy for president.’ It was more this generational experience, of seeing someone we felt represented us in a very unique and fresh way, and the desire to explore what would happen to the first person our age who staked a claim to national leadership."
Doc’s production got under way before Obama began his presidential run in spring 2006. Norton and the directors approached Obama and he sparked to the film, first permitting Rice and Sams access on his 2006 trip to Africa. They’ve had cameras rolling since.
"Barack in particular just got it, what we were trying to do, and the trust factor we were able to build has been so helpful," Norton said. "His success has all kinds of filmmakers hammering at his team for access, and most have been denied. We really feel like we’ve caught lightning in a bottle.
"But the film has to say something about politics in America, and just because you have access doesn’t mean you have insight, Norton added. "A lack of material won’t be our problem, there are hundreds of hours of tape already. We’ve got to do the work "
Norton said the filmmakers will follow Obama through the duration of his White House run, so it’s difficult to set a timetable or budget tag at this point.
The Incredible Hulk trailer is on its way. It debuts Wednesday night at 9:56 pm on all the MTV channels and Spike TV and VH1. It gets shown Thursday at ShoWest. And it plays this weekend in front of Universal pics in the theaters. (But it's also being teased on YouTube now.) I'm told the pic's producer-screenwriter-star Edward Norton helped get the trailer ready last week and loves it.
But does he also love the movie? Not yet.
I'm told that's because Norton and Marvel are clashing over how to cut the pic. Insiders say Norton was "promised tremendous involvement and access" after Marvel invited him into the core team to rewrite Zak Penn's script. Says one insider, "There's a lot of posturing going on between Edward's camp and Marvel over how you edit the final version." Sources also tell me that, starting last night and continuing at least throughout today, the actor will be holed up with Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel, Marvel Studios president of production Kevin Feige, and director Louis Leterrier to try to "reach an amicable resolution" to this $150+ million film feud.
Some insiders blame Marvel for not accepting Norton's POV about the movie. "There's a problem. Marvel won't listen to Norton about the cut," one source claims. Some blame Norton, known to be prickly. (Remember his problems with Paramount over The Italian Job and with director Tony Kaye over American History X?) "Never let an actor write a script," one insider commented. "Marvel made a mistake letting the wolf into the hen house."
But I say that, after Ang Lee's troubled The Hulk left audiences cold, The Incredible Hulk needs Edward Norton's warm support if the pic's gonna have any street cred. Some fear things blowing up to the point where Norton might not publicize the movie. And Marvel is petrified that the new Hulk may be judged "prematurely and unfairly." (Or that bloggers will start claiming the Hulk franchise is cursed.)
Right now, Marvel is said to be about 4 to 5 weeks away from locking the movie for its June 13th release by Universal whose top execs haven't yet seen it ("though some marketing guys have been working off a rough cut that's in pretty good shape," I'm told). "At this stage you always have discussions about what's in the film and what's not going to be in the film. Everyone's very passionate, and Edward is very opinionated." Said another source, "There is a very healthy exchange of ideas going on. Discussions now are even more heated. But some of Ed's best movies have had this exact dynamic to them. Everyone's in the process of figuring it out and working it out. But I expect it'll all get resolved pretty quickly."
Can't wait for the Hulk trailer to premiere on Wed night? There's a promo up on YouTube. [Thanks to Rita and Robin for the info!!!]
March 7, 2008
Hulk trailer
The Hulk trailer will premiere next week!
Comingsoon.net
[Thanks to Mary Beth for the info!!!]
The first teaser trailer for hotly anticipated summer superhero epic "The Incredible Hulk" will have its exclusive broadcast debut in a simultaneous "roadblock" on seven networks on Wednesday, March 12. This first opportunity to see material from the motion picture will be aired at approximately 9:56 p.m. EDT/6:56 p.m. PDT on MTV, MTVU, MTV2, VH1, Spike TV, Nick at Nite and CMT.
Following the on-air premiere, the trailer will be immediately posted on MTV.com for an exclusive period. The trailer will begin showing in theaters across the country on Friday, March 14, with prints of Rogue Pictures' "Doomsday."
February 28, 2008
EN's hydrogen car
EN has a new ride: he is now driving BMW's Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle. Some of the press release is below,
along with a picture [Thanks to Monica for the info!!!]
Norton Joins Will Ferrell, Jay Leno and Others To Be Among the First Americans to Hit the Roads In BMW's Hydrogen-Powered Vehicle
Woodcliff, NJ - February 27, 2008... BMW today announced that highly respected film actor and renewable energy advocate Edward Norton is the latest person to receive keys to a BMW Hydrogen 7 - the first hydrogen-powered luxury sedan. The Golden Globe winner and two-time Academy Award nominee becomes the most recent member of the BMW Hydrogen 7 Pioneer Program, which gives industry leaders and prominent figures in entertainment, politics, business and more a BMW Hydrogen 7 for their daily use.
"The excitement of this car to me is that it demonstrates what we're capable of, and it inspires me to keep advocating for a more sustainable way of life," said Norton.
February 27, 2008
'Pride' Fight, EN's Obama doc, Hulk pics
I've been busy and exhausted so I haven't had a chance to update in the past few days, so there are a lot of things to mention. First up, the delay of Pride and Glory has led to a public fight between Gavin O'Connor
and New Line Studios chairman Bob Shaye. The whole story is in today's Variety [Thanks to Eva for the news!!!]
'Pride and Glory' delay stirs up fray
O'Connor blames Shaye for film's hold-up
By MICHAEL FLEMING
Gavin O'Connor, whose March 14 release date on "Pride and Glory" was scrapped late last year by New Line, wants answers.
O'Connor is blaming the AWOL status of his movie on New Line chairman Bob Shaye. The writer-director is so incensed that he said he will withhold "Warrior," a script he's due to deliver to the studio in the next few weeks, until he knows the fate of his film. The director is also exploring the possibility of extricating "Pride and Glory" after New Line told him the picture wouldn't likely be released until next year.
Trailers for the film have been running since fall before "No Country for Old Men," "Atonement" and "American Gangster."
New Line wouldn't comment on the situation, but execs are in the final stages of negotiating a new deal with Time Warner and its topper, Jeff Bewkes, that could conceivably downsize the company. A resolution seems reasonable within the next two weeks.
But O'Connor and his stars -- Colin Farrell, Edward Norton, Jon Voight and Noah Emmerich (New Line exec Toby Emmerich's brother) -- are voicing their growing frustration to make sure the industry doesn't think they've made an unreleasable film.
They also hope they can provoke Shaye into showing the guts he displayed in the past on adult-themed gambles like "Seven" and "American History X," which also starred Norton and had plenty of its own production drama.
"It was a joy making the movie, but then something happened internally at that company," O'Connor said. "I don't think Bob Shaye believes in it, and he's decided he'll only release (sure bet) films. He never had the decency to call me. We've delivered something special and unique, a film that's not for everybody but has something to say. We're all heartbroken."
O'Connor is nearly finished writing "Warrior," which he describes as "Gladiator" set within a family of mixed martial arts fighters. The project is constructed to span three films. O'Connor said he made a New Line deal for it because he had such a great experience making the film, but he'll hold it back until he gets answers.
"Pride and Glory" was screened at CAA headquarters late last week to begin getting word out that it may need a new home, though getting another distributor to pay full price to adopt a $30 million orphan won't be easy.
Morality tale focuses on corruption in a family of Gotham cops. The son of an 18-year NYPD veteran, O'Connor and his brother Greg wrote the script with Joe Carnahan, hoping to create a '70s-style film that uses crooked cops as a metaphor for institutional corruption in the power structure.
"Gavin was able to tease out themes that are relevant to my generation and to what this country is going through," Norton said. "This isn't about New Line not knowing the film is strong; I just think there is a paralysis right now that has to do with much bigger issues than any particular film. We're a victim of the moment, and I just hope they will either find a way to give the film its due or graciously let us do it with someone else."
Farrell said: "This is the first time it's happened to me, where a film I believed in so strongly, not only as entertainment but for its pertinent message and great performances, sits on a shelf. This is bizarre."
Voight, who plays the cop family patriarch, is also frustrated, but optimistic.
"It ain't over till it's over," he said. "Obviously, things are going on over there, and I've seen this situation before, where a studio dilemma created hardship for a film of quality. You don't want to put it aside for long, though, because you can lose your momentum."
Politico.com has posted an article on the upcoming Obama documentary that EN is producing.I've included only the relevant parts below. Politico.com: Barack Obama, movie star? [Thanks to Monica, Pat, and Robin for the info!!!]
Barack Obama, movie star?
By: Jeffrey Ressner
February 24, 2008 08:19 AM EST
Barack Obama, movie star? He’s won a Grammy, published best-selling books and taken the lead in the Democratic presidential race, so can an Oscar be far behind?
You won’t see Obama donning a tuxedo for this Sunday’s Academy Awards show, but next year he might very well be there on stage, if not in spirit.
A major documentary about the Democratic presidential candidate is in the works, offering an inside view of his campaign with filmmakers shooting “staggering amounts” of revealing behind-the-scenes footage. The project, currently untitled, has been ongoing for roughly two years, backed by actor-producer Edward Norton’s Class 5 Productions banner and directed by Amy Rice, sister of Andrew Rice, an Oklahoma state senator and U.S. Senate candidate. Alicia Sams, who served as field producer for last year's doc "Election Day," is co-directing with Rice.
Every campaign season brings out camera crews, and this year is no exception. Expect at least three documentaries about Obama to emerge out of this election — not all of them laudatory.
Though Rice has only been involved with small documentaries, and Norton is best known for his acting roles in Hollywood dramas such as “Fight Club” and “American History X,” one advantage these filmmakers enjoy is near-exclusive access: They engaged directly with Obama and won his staff’s trust in the year before he even announced his presidential candidacy.
Many documentaries about political campaigns, such as “The War Room” — the acclaimed 1993 doc about then-presidential candidate Bill Clinton — gain minimal access to the actual candidates. (Clinton hardly appeared in that film.)
Says Norton, “We were interested in tracking the progress of someone from our generation, rather than our parents’ generation, taking the national stage, [and] documenting his impressions and experiences. When we first became involved, we weren’t even sure he was going to run for president, so it’s turned into something far beyond any of our expectations.”
“An Inconvenient Truth” changed Al Gore’s image from boring stiff to cool green dude, but it could be a while before the Obama doc is even seen, much less has an impact on his reputation. The movie is still being shot and filmmakers won’t begin editing until his race for the presidency has ended. Plans call for a 2009 release, says Rice.
Filming digitally with hi-def cameras, Rice has shot what’s been called “gauzy footage” of Obama in an Iowa barn during the state’s early caucus, holding court in strategy sessions, suffering defeat in New Hampshire’s primary, prepping for debates across the country, and eventually surpassing one-time presumptive nominee Hillary Rodham Clinton. “The film is still being made, literally, every week,” says Norton.
The authorized biopic with a famous producer isn’t the only Obama documentary in the works. Conservative nonprofit Citizens United is rushing its own Obama doc into production — this after nearly two years making an anti-Clinton video called “Hillary: The Movie,” and watching its commercial prospects dim as its subject struggles to stay in the race.
Empire Magazine has posted new Hulk pics: one
shot of EN as Banner tied down in pain and another of William Hurt as General Ross for their upcoming issue
featuring an interview with Hulk director Louis Letterier.
Another note: Hedgeworld reports that Leaves of Grass will start filming in Louisiana in late March. I
don't know what else it is reporting since the article is available only to subscribers.
"I can't wait to see it," Bana said of the new film. "I think it will be amazing."
[Further down in the article]
"I'm a big fan of Ed's. I was really thrilled that someone of Ed's caliber stepped up to play [Hulk] in the sequel," he said. "It's great. I'm sure his version will be incredible."
February 12, 2008
Eco-All-Stars
EN made Outside Magazine's list of Eco-All-stars. More info can be found in Outside Magazine's March issue now on newsstands. [Thanks to Monica and Eva for the info!!!]
Edward Norton Actor, 38
"I don't believe in stepping out front on matters that you're just getting educated on," says Edward Norton. "I gravitate toward topics on which I have something to contribute." For Norton, a lifelong environmentalist, that's meant throwing his weight behind a litany of issues, like the greening of affordable housing.
An earlier issue of Outside Magazine (April 2007) has an article on a rafting expedition in China. EN's brother Jim Norton is a guide on the trip.
Leaping Tiger, Drowning River [Thanks to Monica for the info!!!]
February 11- PM update
Solar Neighbors event
Today, EN and LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa were present to celebrate the installation of a solar energy system on the St. George Hotel, which provides permanent supportive housing for formerly homeless residents. Below are some of EN's remarks
Green Innovations Help Skid Row Residents, Too
"Many people perceive environmentally friendly practices as costly and available only to the wealthy," said Mr. Norton, the leading force behind the creation of the Solar Neighbors Program and grandson of Enterprise Co-Founder James Rouse. "We need to expand our awareness of the many ways environmentally sustainable development and construction can apply to affordable housing. The installation of the BP solar panels on the St. George is a great example of a dynamic solution to our intensifying economic and environmental crisis."
February 11, 2008
Hulk footage
Hulk footage was shown at the Toy Fair in Germany. AICN has a report
It was great to see the first footage of the INCREDIBLE HULK. I think the
Ang Lee movie was terrible, but I have a lot of faith in this one. What we
saw looked like the first official trailer. The scene opens with Edward
Norton meditating. We see images of a lab, experiments, Banner escaping from
the (Russian?) military (led by William Hurt and Tim Roth), running in the
streets, kissing Liv Tyler, guns, shooting, more running… The ‘trailer’ ends
with Abomination walking towards Hulk. Remember the end of Rocky III? Apollo
Creed wants to hit Rocky in their friendly duel? That’s exactly the way the
trailer ends. Abomination wants to hit Hulk. Hulk wants to hit Abomination,
but before it actually happens the trailer is over. Abomination looks like a
Hulk with the Voldemort face from the first Harry Potter movie. A really
mean motha. He sure is a great opponent.
I thought the shown footage was awesome. It promises much more action than
the Ang Lee movie, a great love story and an even greater fight. Edward
Norton makes a great Bruce Banner. He isn’t that muscular which makes his
transformation into Hulk much more interesting and exciting. Imagine John
Cena as Bruce Banner! That would be completely wrong, wouldn’t it?
February 8, 2008
Reasons behind Pride and Glory delay, Solar Neighbors
"There's this rumor going around that [Pride and Glory has been bumped] because it's a mess or it's a really bad film," he began. "I feel the need to kind of speak up, not from my own end but genuinely for Gavin O'Connor because he wrote and directed it. It's just a really really strong piece, but I think New Line lost the bollocks on The Golden Compass…and they literally don't have enough money to market things."
[Further down in the article]
"Pride is a tricky one to market anyways. It's pretty dark…I've seen it. Gavin did a great job and you know, Jon Voight is brilliant in it, and Ed [Norton] is great in it and a really strong cast of supporting characters…it's a really strong piece."
EN is going to be at another event celebrating his Solar Neighbors program.
Will Ferrell purchased a solar electric system for his house, and under the BP Solar Neighbors program, the St. George Hotel received a free system. The St. George Hotel is a permanent supportive housing facility, owned and operated by The Skid Row Housing Trust. The event occurs this Monday, February 11th at the St. George Hotel in Los Angeles. Celebrities Meet Solar at the St. George Hotel [Thanks again to Monica for the info!!!]
February 7, 2008
Fight Club on Broadway
Fight Club director David Fincher told MTV News that Fight Club may becoming to Broadway in honor of the film's 10 year anniversary.
Feb 7 2008 8:00 AM EST
Fight Club' On Broadway? Director, Writer Plan To Mark Film's 10-Year Anniversary With A Musical
Trent Reznor might even do the music, author Chuck Palahniuk says he heard from filmmaker David Fincher.
By Shawn Adler, with reporting by Josh Horowitz
I am Jack's ... gorgeous libretto?
A long-rumored Broadway adaptation of "Fight Club" is closer than ever to happening, an excited David Fincher told MTV News, admitting that preparations have been amped up in anticipation of the film's upcoming landmark.
"I want at the 10-year anniversary to do 'Fight Club' as a musical on Broadway," the director enthused. "I love the idea of that."
Apparently, so do many others. Now that Fincher has broken Fight Club's first rule (and, for that matter, its second), the masterminds behind the film are eager to join the chorus — none more so than "Club" author Chuck Palahniuk, who said he thinks the idea for a musical is as beautiful and unique as a tiny snowflake. (Note: You are not a beautiful and unique snowflake.)
"So he's now publicly talking about it?" Palahniuk enthused. "If it happens, it would be extraordinary."
"If" being the operative word at the moment, both men admit, since no concrete plans have yet been finalized. If it does make its way to the stage, though, "Fight Club: The Musical" would join a long list of movies adapted for the Great White Way, including recent additions like "The Producers," "Spamalot" and "Young Frankenstein."
Those movies and others, however, already had the benefit of being a little campy, making it easier to retroactively fit big song-and-dance numbers into their respective story lines. This is something "Fight Club" cannot claim — or can it?
"Everybody would look at me like a leper," he said. "[But] I always saw it as a comedy."
Which is good news for those of us who'd like to see songs like "I Am the All-Singing, All-Dancing Crap of This World," "His Name Is Robert Paulson" and "How to Make Napalm From Orange Juice and Gasoline," but not so good for those who might like a more serious take.
Luckily, Fincher and Palahniuk have a pretty solid plan B, they told MTV News.
"The last I heard from David was that Trent Reznor was going to do the music," the author revealed (representatives for Reznor had no comment by press time). "Maybe 'Choke' the musical will be next!" he added, referring to another one of his works that is being made into a film (it's due in theaters August 28).
Maybe, but either way, Palahnuik admitted he'll have little involvement with any future adaptation.
"I might write the book or the script," Palahnuik said, "but [a musical is] a whole different animal for me."
There is no word yet whether any of the film castmembers would reprise their roles. The 1999 film starred Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf and Helena Bonham Carter.
February 6, 2008
Just a little Edward story
NewsOK.com has an article on the film Untraceable. Director Gregory Hoblit spoke about wanting "to make Untraceable technologically accurate."
Hoblit said he first became aware of shoddy Internet movies shortly after making 1996’s “Primal Fear,” when one of the film’s stars, Edward Norton, clued him into a cyber movie crime.
“There was a movie that came out called ‘The Net,’ and Edward went to see ‘The Net,’ and he called me up and said, ‘I have just seen the worst movie I have ever seen, where these guys just didn’t give a damn about anything being accurate,’” Hoblit said. “He was just appalled. That stuck in my head. I think audiences these days are pretty sophisticated. They know when they’re being messed with; they know when people are playing fast and loose.”
February 5, 2008
Global Green's Pre-Oscar Party
EN is on the LA Committee for the 5th Annual Global Green Pre-Oscar Party, which will be held on February 20 at 8PM at Avalon Hollywood. It will also include an exclusive performance by Michelle Branch. Tickets start at $250.
Global Green website
February 4, 2008
Obama campaign
Time.com has a feature on Obama's "celebrity army". The article mentions that
"Voters in California are getting phone calls from Ed Norton and Alfre Woodard " (coincidentally his co-star in Primal Fear). EN's production company has been making a documentary on Obama- hopefully we'll hear more about it soon.
I've been watching HBO's In Treatment with Gabriel Byrne. Based on an Israeli TV series, it runs five nights a week, with the first four nights with Byrne as therapist working with a different patient each night. Fridays, he is the patient to his former mentor, the wonderful Dianne Wiest. Both struggle with their past anger and resentment towards each other, as they sift through his problems with his family and at work. I can't help watching it and wishing that EN was in this series, not replacing a particular character but in his own storyline. For the entire half hour, the show is basically two actors (or three- one night is a couples session) going back and forth in a therapist office. It's so different and brave. Oh well.
January 31, 2008
2% Solution, Total Film, Go Red
The 2% Solution webcast by Focus The Nation was last night and unfortunately I was unable to catch it (Although I found out my institution will be replaying it today along with a panel discussion- if you're on a college campus, check to see if it's being shown again). Anyway, EN's message has been posted on YouTube [Thanks to Robin for the info!!!]
As mentioned below, EN gives an interview in this month's Total Film magazine, but that's not all. He was also ranked Number 1 on Total Film's Hot 100 List, the hottest 100 people in Hollywood right now [Thanks to Monica for the info!!!].
EDWARD NORTON - ACTOR/WRITER/DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Who knew? Behind the New York cool and intimidating IQ is the beating green heart of... a geek. Edward Norton: Marvel kid. Cast as the Incredible Hulk, to general surprise and fan excitement, Norton is set to pulverise 2008. Recently at his Fight Club-equalling best in 2005’s brilliant but underseen Down In The Valley, before starring in sleeper hit The Illusionist, he’s now setting his sights on the blockbuster, zeroing in on Marvel’s most iconic franchise. Producer, writer, star, he’s rebooting Bruce Banner and rescuing a moribund series he’s loved since knee high. So, he’s bringing brains to the brawn, but smarts without snobbery – he adores the material and is embroiled in every aspect, from script to effects work, which he’s currently beavering away on in Los Angeles. Now bringing box office clout to his enduring credibility – and producing his own work through Class Five Films – Norton is our guy and 2008 is his year.
What’s next? Gavin O’Connor’s cop corruption drama Pride And Glory, playing twins in Tim Blake Nelson’s comedy Leaves Of Grass and a certain big, green mean machine...
Friday, February 1st is National Wear Red Day to support the fight against heart disease in women Go Red for Women
January 23, 2008
EN in Total Film
Today's The Sun has comments from EN on the Hulk from the upcoming Total Film magazine. Apparently, EN is looking forward to Hulk sequels.
Ed dismisses Hulk connection
Ed dismisses Hulk connection
By ALISON MALONEY
Published: Today
EDWARD NORTON has dismissed any connection between The Incredible Hulk and the last Hulk movie.
The 2003 movie starring ERIC BANA was panned by critics and Norton was quick to distance his new film from it.
“First off it’s utterly unrelated to that film,” he said, in this month’s Total Film magazine.
“This is in no way a response to it or picking up from it.
"I think like Chris Nolan and those guys did with Batman, we just said: 'We’re going to start completely with our own version of this myth or saga.'
And the Fight Club star revealed that he turned down the part of Bruce Banner and his alter ego before being wooed by the chance to write the screenplay himself.
“When the phone rings and someone says, ‘Hey, would you be interested in the big green guy?” there’s that part of all of us that doesn’t want to look like an idiot,” he admitted.
“There’s the wince factor or the defensive part of you that recoils at what the bad version of what that would be. And I did that, basically. I said ‘no’ to it a couple of times.”
Now firmly on board Norton revealed that The Incredible Hulk is just the beginning.
“To me the whole thing was to envision it in multiple parts,” he said.
“We left a lot out on purpose. It’s definitely intended as chapter one.”
Total Film is in shops on Thursday January 24
The Incredible Hulk is released on June 13
January 21, 2008
EN Focus the Nation Video, Hulk/Iron Man Crossover, Lohan in Leaves of Grass?
A video by EN supporting Focus the Nation has been posted on
YouTube.
The webcast will be on Jan 30th. For more info,
go to the Focus the Nation
website.
[Thanks to Robin for the info!!!]
William Hurt has talked about the Hulk/Iron Man crossover scene in an MTV interview. BUT, Hurt also spills the beans on a big PLOT SPOILER during the interview so view at your own risk!!! [Thanks to Robin and Monica for the info!!!]
Could Lindsay Lohan possibly be joining EN's next film Leaves of Grass. I don't know, but JustJared.com posted a pic of Lohan leaving a casting call. If you look on the door, a sign reads "Leaves of Grass Casting" [Thanks to Danielle for the eagle eyes and the info!!!]
January 18, 2008
More on Pride Delay
As I mentioned in yesterday's update, Pride and Glory has been moved from a Mar 2008 release date to a 2009 release date.
Today's Variety fills in some of the details. New Line Cinema is moving it's schedule around. It is postponing the film Inkheart from a Mar 18 release date "in part because the studio believed it couldn't adequately market the pic in light of the hit television is taking from the writers strike...In terms of the marketing worries, New Line said it was concerned that the loss of first-run shows would minimize the impact of television spots. It's the first time that a studio publicly expressed such a concern since the strike started." While the article mainly focuses on Inkheart, New Line's decision to postpone Pride and Glory probably follows this same line of reasoning. [Thanks to Robin and Donna for the info!!!]
Jan 17- PM update
Focus the Nation
The National Wildlife Federation and Focus the Nation will feature a webcast called "The 2% Solution" on Jan 30 on global warming solutions. It will also include a special message from EN. National Wildlife Federation
January 17, 2008
Pride and Glory delayed?
Today's LA Times has an article on Colin Farrell. The last sentence of the article notes that
Pride and Glory was "recently bumped to a 2009 release date" from its March 14, 2008 slot. Although the
Pride and Glory official site still gives the March 14 date, there is no mention of the film on the
New Line Cinema official site
January 13, 2008
EN's political contributions
The Associated Press is reporting the political contributions of many celebrities (including EN) to presidential campaigns. EN has contributed $2,300 to Democratic candidate Senator Barak Obama. This is no surprise since EN's production company Class 5 is producing a documentary about Obama.
I'm so happy that Marion Cotillard won the Golden Globe for best actress (musical or comedy) for "La Vie En Rose."
January 12, 2008
Surfing Documentary
EN is the narrator of a surfing documentary Bustin' Down The Door. The film will premiere later this month at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Surfers bustin' down the door of film festival [Thanks to Pat for the info!!!]
Jan 7- PM update
Fight Club The Musical
MTV.com has some interesting comments by FIght Club director David Fincher
MTV: You told us about a year ago you were interested in doing a musical.
Fincher: One of the things I want at the 10-year anniversary is to do "Fight Club" as a musical on Broadway. I love the idea of that.
MTV: Have you considered doing another project based on "Fight Club" author Chuck Palahnuik's work?
Fincher: I was pretty interested in "Lullaby." It almost has to be dumbed down a bit for it to work as a movie. I always love his writing. It cracks me up.
MTV: What projects don't you get offered?
Fincher: I don't get a lot of romantic comedies.
MTV: I see a lot of comedy in your films. "Fight Club" can be seen as a black comedy.
Fincher: I always saw it as a comedy. Then everybody would look at me like a leper.
Jan 7, 2008
Hulk and Iron Man crossover, Avengers?
Superheroflix.com posted details of crossover scene between The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man that might eventually lead to a future Avengers movie.
Tony Stark will be in The Incredible Hulk. "So the scene that was shot was for the Hulk with General Thunderbolt who is very important to the Hulk. Anyway, Tony Stark meets with him - which of course is a straight prelude to the Avengers Movie." [Thanks to Robin for the info!!!]
/film has a related story that Jon Favreau wants to direct
an Avengers movie and wants the big name actors from the individual Marvel films.
If you've been following this site for a while, you'll remember that I wasn't happy that EN chose to do The Incredible Hulk. This is not because I wouldn't want to see EN in a Hulk movie, it's that I don't want to see EN in five Hulk movies. If a franchise film makes any money at the box office during the opening weekend, there seems to already be talk about a sequel by Sunday afternoon. Not only are we faced with possibly more Hulk fims, but Avengers films as well, which would take time away from EN making other films.
Background from Keeping the Faith official website
If you have new information on Edward Norton (and you can provide a
verifiable and reputable source), please email me-
Susan
Note: Articles and images have been posted without permission for noncommercial and nonprofit use
with no intention of copyright infringement. The purpose of this reprinting is to disseminate correct information about the
actors, films, and studios. I have included author names and links to sources whenever possible.
