Christian Bale was in Harsh Times. Stop comparing him to Edward Norton.

I just can't see Edward Norton playing Lionel Essrog.

i really think he'll surprise everyone that has said that.

-NiCK

And yet Christian Bale turned in one of the greatest performances of his career. Edward Norton was in that magician flick not named The Prestige.

Look, you can rattle off his resume but he's not done anything noteworthy. Down in the Valley was a mildly interesting forgettable flick. The 25th Hour was great, it's one of my favorites. But for a guy that had such a bright future ahead of him, it looks like he already hit his peak.

Edward Norton is one of my favorite actors. I want to see him pull of another amazing performance which I doubt we'll see in The Incredible Hulk. Comparing him to Christian Bale is probably a bit like oranges and apples. Even though Batman Begins (and most likely The Dark Knight) are Bale's weakest performances, he is one of the best actors out there so no I don't think Norton even comes close.

Agreed. He has made of lot of films recently including The Illusionist which was really good. He has the Hulk film coming up.

To me, his career is similar to Johnny Depp, where he choses he film roles carefully.

Probably not.

Talk about oranges and apples. Two films about magic. Both equally great. But "The Illusionist" was the better of the two. Again, IMO.

And no, Norton has most certainly not hit his peak.

Well Norton hasn't done too many box office monsters or critically acclaimed movies lately but all I know is that every performance I've seen him in he's nailed it. Every movie is automatically a notch higher if it has Edward Norton in it. He just hasn't picked roles in very good movies or blockbusters. That is either bad luck, contract obligations or maybe he just wants to expand as an actor. Either way, all we need is Norton to be cast in something that has a good story and/or is attached to a good director and he'll be back on top. It WILL happen.

Of course, it looks like he has taken a break from acting (no movies at all in 2007) to direct. May be good, may be bad but if he wants to expand his career than more power to him.

Norton has had 17 movies released so far in his short career (since 1996). Bale has had 28 (since 1987). According to IMDB. I think both bring a lot to the table the moment they are cast.

I knew there was a thread like this before.

http://forum.dvdtalk.com/showthread.php?t=494843

Anyway, I think Norton is doing just fine for himself. I like Bale better though

I'm a fan of Norton's work, and I think he has a very old Hollywood-style method. I can't even picture Christian Bale in the same league as Norton or Depp. Bale is talented, but he just doesn't have the same presence.

I don't know, do you think Depp or Norton could've played Patrick Bateman better than Bale?

I just rewatched Fight Club last night. I still think that's the shining moment of everyone associated with it, including Norton, Pitt, Carter, and Fincher.

That's a tough call, but overall those two have more range than Bale, IMO.

I'm goin' on safari motherfucker! SAH-FAR-I!

Maybe not better than. But both could have equally pulled it off.

For someone to have a "comeback" they have to have been insignificant for some time, like many direct to DVD films and not able to get cast in better films; someone like say...Wesly Snipes or Steven Segal someone like that. I am sure there are better examples of actors who have been stuck in the direct to DVD ilk but they are just examples. IF one of them scores a big box office hit like Segal did with Exit Wounds then it is called a "comeback". Travolta is probably a better example before Pulp Fiction no one would cast him. Norton does not have a problem getting cast in significant movies, he makes what he wants and has recently went the Indie route. The Hulk will probably be a big success. Norton has not been insignificant in any way shape or form... A true fan of the mans work would know this.

True, perhaps "comeback" was poorly chosen. Yes, he's still been around but for a talent such as his I'd expect them to have a career like Johnny Depp or Leonardo DiCaprio where he pulls of an Oscar nominated performance every other year or so. Maybe he's just working with the wrong directors.

yeah, but Bale didn't just pull it off, he was Patrick Bateman. I think that's the difference. and at the same time, could Bale or Norton play Captain Jack Sparrow as well as Depp? probably not. at least not the way these roles were written.

but then again I think it's silly to compare good actors to each other. really, what's the point?

That I can agree with.