The Incredible Hulk

He's played a few stuttering introverts, but since Bruce Banner is hardly one of those I wouldn't say that was a top notch point. Sure, he can flip the switch and go haywire, but since the Hulk sections will most probably be CGI, I can't quite see where your link is. Ed Norton's relatability is always something that has bothered me in films; in Fight Club that is overcome by the narration lifting almost directly from the page, in American History X it's his redemption that gives him relatability, but other times his tone is simply cocky. Granted, that's only part of a few characters he has played, but I'm not sure he has enough charisma to fill the screen alongside mass special effects.

Ford was always a dab hand at relatability with the audience and survivng in a cacophony of SFX, and he isn't bad at constant vigil and self control. He might not have some of Ed Norton's laconic tones, but really, he is Harrison Ford. That suggestion was just hyperbole though.

I still think there would be better leads and even better character actors who could play Bruce Banner.

Oh yeah ofcourse no doubt there is better actors suited for the role, and Harrison Fords obvious record with SFX gives him an advantage in that area.I dont actually know how much of Norton you will see in this movie if the majority of it is all The Hulk anyway. To me Harrison Ford's look and style of acting doesn't match Bruce Banner, and I agree Bruce Banner isn't a stuttering introvert but I still think that Edward Norton would still pull the character off more "Bannerish"than Harrison Ford ever could, in your opinion who do you think would be the best to play the part? (present day)

Originally posted by exanda kane
I read a good run of the reissued "special edition" UK ones back in the day, and although I'm not a big Hulk fan, I get the jist of it. I'm quite sure when I say Harrison Ford would be better than Ed Norton I mean it wholeheartedly and not simply a jibe.

As a fan of the comics for more than a decade, I can safely say there's nothing to suggest Harrison Ford would be better at it than Norton.

Banner has multiple personality disorder, and we know how experienced Norton is as playing in those roles.

-AC

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri

Banner has multiple personality disorder, and we know how experienced Norton is as playing in those roles.

-AC

Thats what i said. Finally someone agrees with me 🙂

It's like this:

Harrison Ford is a good actor. So good, in fact, that his career wasn't squashed by Star Wars. Love, like, dislike or hate that franchise, that's a BIG deal. He even did the opposite, he went on to do Indiana Jones movies, movies that became iconic in their own right.

However, it's a type of role (Banner) that he doesn't fit. He could be in The Incredible Hulk, as Banner, and do a decent role acting, but would be be a convincing Banner? No.

If you want a grizzled, hardened F.B.I. agent, you ask Tommy Lee Jones. You could get...Christian Bale, but he just doesn't have that specific typecast that, in this case, is a positive. Although I wouldn't put it past Bale, cos he's the don.

Same with gangsters. Pacino and Anthony Hopkins. Both tremendous actors, but who do you pick? Pacino. Anthony Hopkins could probably play a good role, but he wouldn't play it GREAT.

I feel this debate is far too focused on who we believe to be the general better actor, and as a result, he would suit the role. It's not the case.

I would never cast Norton as Indiana Jones or Han Solo. I'd never cast Ford as Banner or The Narrator.

-AC

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri

If you want a grizzled, hardened F.B.I. agent, you ask Tommy Lee Jones. You could get...Christian Bale, but he just doesn't have that specific typecast that, in this case, is a positive. Although I wouldn't put it past Bale, cos he's the don.

-AC

haha I agree Bale does rule all, lol hes like a feckin chamelion he can do any role lol

Originally posted by suprmanvsbatman
haha I agree Bale does rule all, lol hes like a feckin chamelion he can do any role lol

LOL...you sound like a giddy school girl. 😆

but I agree that his is quite the awesomeness.

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
As a fan of the comics for more than a decade, I can safely say there's nothing to suggest Harrison Ford would be better at it than Norton.

Banner has multiple personality disorder, and we know how experienced Norton is as playing in those roles.

-AC

Huh??

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
I would never cast Norton as Indiana Jones or Han Solo. I'd never cast Ford as Banner or The Narrator.

I made the point earlier that they are both different kinds of actor, but at the same time, I really do not understand why you would pigeonhole Bruce Banner in the same caste as the Narrator; they are completely different characters. Edward Norton may have had roles which have required him to change character in mid-scene, but Bruce Banner hardly tranforms into a mentally retarded janitor or a violent killer during a conversation. Instead, he transforms into the bloody Hulk. I don't think Edward Norton, at least compared to Harrison Ford, can survive amid so much CGI.

So in fact, as a fan of movies for a good number of years I can safely say that Harrison Ford, with reasons to the effect of those mentioned earlier, would play a better Bruce Banner than Ed Norton will. Again, my point of Ford in the role is another way of expressing how Norton doesn't fit the role and his messiah complex will get in the way of production.

Originally posted by =Tired Hiker=
Back in the day, way before they even made the first X-Men movie, my buddy and I thought Harrison Ford would have made a great Wolverine.

Originally posted by Mindship
I still think Vin Diesel would've been best. He's got the build, the voice, the attitude...and a wig would've solved the hair problem.

😐 no no hes way too big lol Harrison Fod would be better than Vin Diesel.

I could actually see Vin Deisel maybe maybe pulling that off... but yeah he kinda doesn’t have the build for it, imo. I could see him as Deadpool though? Deadpool has a higher pitched voice thoguh doesn't he?

Eh.

Originally posted by exanda kane
I made the point earlier that they are both different kinds of actor, but at the same time, I really do not understand why you would pigeonhole Bruce Banner in the same caste as the Narrator; they are completely different characters. Edward Norton may have had roles which have required him to change character in mid-scene, but Bruce Banner hardly tranforms into a mentally retarded janitor or a violent killer during a conversation. Instead, he transforms into the bloody Hulk. I don't think Edward Norton, at least compared to Harrison Ford, can survive amid so much CGI.

So in fact, as a fan of movies for a good number of years I can safely say that Harrison Ford, with reasons to the effect of those mentioned earlier, would play a better Bruce Banner than Ed Norton will. Again, my point of Ford in the role is another way of expressing how Norton doesn't fit the role and his messiah complex will get in the way of production.

They're not ENTIRELY different, you don't have the knowledge to be lecturing me on Banner's character. I've seen a hell of a lot of Ford's movies, and Norton's, and read the comics. I have way more basis for comparison than you.

Norton has played a character that is battling with a destructive alter ego he doesn't even know exists, in this one he's battling with an arguably destructive alter ego. It's still about control, and Ford couldn't play Banner.

-AC

If you see a simple and logical distincition as a lecture, then feck me, I'd hate to be in your shoes; their situations might be somewhat similar but the nature of those and the way they deal with them are completely different. That's about as close as they get, and a history of playing characters in a similar situation as a process of validation for the damn role is, simply put, blatant stupidity. But fair enough, since you seem to like Hulk and I can't admit half as much, you may have a bigger basis for comparison on behalf of the comic book character. But considering this is a film that, as you are well aware, can't cater 100% for fans of the character, Harrison Ford would be a better choice for the job at hand.

I figured I owe it to this thread to show this here. Okay, enough of my antics.

YouTube video

I'm pretty sure I found it funny just because you included the "Dear Boy.".

Well done.

Originally posted by exanda kane
If you see a simple and logical distincition as a lecture, then feck me, I'd hate to be in your shoes; their situations might be somewhat similar but the nature of those and the way they deal with them are completely different. That's about as close as they get, and a history of playing characters in a similar situation as a process of validation for the damn role is, simply put, blatant stupidity. But fair enough, since you seem to like Hulk and I can't admit half as much, you may have a bigger basis for comparison on behalf of the comic book character. But considering this is a film that, as you are well aware, can't cater 100% for fans of the character, Harrison Ford would be a better choice for the job at hand.

Why would a much older man pass as...a young man who turns into The Hulk? Banner isn't old, he's much younger than Ford can act. Ford exudes a far too secure, confident aura to play this kind of role. I never see Harrison Ford and feel like he is threatened or in danger.

-AC

Originally posted by =Tired Hiker=
I figured I owe it to this thread to show this here. Okay, enough of my antics.

YouTube video

Hahahaha!!!! Make more TH.

However, better leave it to the OTF. Let's keep the thread on that upcoming Hulk movie (which most likely will be shit)

Let us go back to The Incredible Bulk...err...I mean Hulk.

I don't even know how anyone else can top that kind of contribution on any level.

What more can be said?

-AC

Originally posted by Alpha Centauri
I'm pretty sure I found it funny just because you included the "Dear Boy.".

Well done.

Eh, what are you babbling about now?

Why would a much older man pass as...a young man who turns into The Hulk? Banner isn't old, he's much younger than Ford can act. Ford exudes a far too secure, confident aura to play this kind of role. I never see Harrison Ford and feel like he is threatened or in danger.

Christ knows why you think anyone is suggesting Harrison Ford at his present age should play such a young character. If you take a little toodle back through the thread, you willl see it suggested that Harrison Ford in his 'prime' would do a better job than Edward Norton. There goes that one. It was more hypothetical point regarding Edward Norton being miscast (of course his brand name, financial support and enthusiasm helped, but could make or break the film: ref. Ghost Rider) than a suggestion. However, still the point stands: Ford would be a better Banner in a film.

You haven't seen a film where the cocky Han Solo/Indiana Jones vibe is gone and Ford is left insecure? Try Frantic or even moments of The Fugitive to see him bleed in paranoia and grassroots survival, yet inbetween the masterclass in atmospheric mise en scene that is Blade Runner, he does a great job of bringing humanity and fear against something that could be part of his own inner demons, i.e. the Replicant in himself etc etc etc...

But anywhom, I'm not really interested in having a long drawn out potshotmatch over this; while Norton is a fantastic actor in his own kind of self indulgent way, I can't but help think he is miscast in this, even if his writing brings the film above the notch it would otherwise hit. Again, I would love him to prove me wrong but I just don't see it. Ford on the other hand, is the nuts. May 22nd: the day I officially "don't mind" Shia Lebeauf I reckon.