These are only RUMORS. I thought they were interesting enough to mention (and I wanted to keep them away from the confirmed projects). Just because Edward Norton's name was mentioned in connection with a project, doesn't mean he was ever interested in the role. Many times, the rumor is just a "wish list" of actors they would like to get interested in the role. With EN's talent, it's no surprise that he often ends up on the wish lists for more than a few films.
I've looking back though my files for some of the older rumors, so this page is currently UNDER CONSTRUCTION
A Beautiful Mind (from Movieline 8/00 )- Film adaptation of "A Beautiful Mind" by Sylvia Nasar. The book is a biography of John Nash Jr., "a bisexual mathematical mastermind who descends into madness but somehow managed to regain his sanity and eventually win a Nobel Prize". Ron Howard directed and Russell Crowe starred. Apparently Matt Damon, Edward Norton, Jude Law, and Matthew McConaughey were "rumored" to also be interested in the role.
American Buffalo- I probably shouldn't include this right now since I can't figure out where I read it. I thought that EN was mentioned to play opposite Dustin Hoffman and Dennis Franz in this David Mamet film. I thought he had to turn down the role due to scheduling problems. Since I can't remember where I read it, I thought it was best to classify it as a rumor.
Enemy of the State- Mr Showbiz (10/03/97) reported that EN was up for a role in Enemy of the State. Will Smith had already been cast in the film and there was no mention of which role he was up for. This is the only mention of EN and this film.
Fine and Mellow (from Movieline 9/00) - "Killer Films' Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler, best known for producing Happiness and Boys Don't Cry, are developing Fine and Mellow, a drama about a little-known love affair between singer Billie Holiday and actor/director Orson Welles that occurred while he was making Citizen Kane. Murg's already heard casting possibilites that include Thandie Newton and Edward Norton." This is not the first time EN has been mentioned to portray Orson Welles. He was in talks to play Welles opposite Marlon Brando as newspaper giant William Randolph Hearst in RKO 281 (see nonprojects page).
X-men- My info on this is basically a mismash- so believe what you want. There were so many wild, unsubstantiated casting rumors and speculation from a ton of so-called Hollywood insiders about which actors would play the main roles in this adaptation of the comic book series for director Bryan Singer, that when I heard Edward Norton's name mentioned as a possible Cyclops, it sounded more like a wish list. Premiere (7/00) says that "Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, Edward Norton, Viggo Mortensen, and Aaron Eckhart had all been mentioned for the role" of Wolverine. But was he interested in the film or either of these two roles? The 7/30/99 edition of Dark Horizons had a report that actress Nicola Charles from the Australian soap opera "Neighbors" had made a talk show appearance on "Good Morning Australia" that morning. On the show, she said that she had been asked to audition for X-men and she ended up auditioning with Edward Norton. She didn't say which roles they were reading. I like Dark Horizons and usually check it often. To believe this, you have to believe the accuracy of the source, namely one person's report to Dark Horizons. Since it was mentioned on a talk show, it should be easier to check out than these insider rumors. Well, not really. I figured I'd look through some fan sites on her, probably find some mention of the interview or another interview where she talked about it. She turns out to be kind of a sex symbol and while she has quite a few sites devoted to her, they mainly consist of picture after picture after picture with little more on her than the basic facts. Please note, no one wrote in to Dark Horizons to contradict the account posted. So without anything more concrete on it, I guess you just have to decide for yourself what to believe.
If you have new information on Edward Norton (and you can provide a verifiable and reputable source), please email me- Susan
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