The Fate of Linda Fiorentino

[PfR73]

I think he insisted on rewriting parts of Frida despite having a relatively smaller supporting part.

That's not an accurate assessment of what happened on Frida according to star/producer Salma Hayek, who was dating Norton at the time. It was her passion project and when she refused Harvey Weinstein's harassment, he threw up roadblocks including demanding that she "get a rewrite of the script, with no additional payment" and "cast four of the smaller roles with prominent actors." So Norton rewrote the script for free and accepted the part of Nelson Rockefeller. Hayek says "Much to everyone’s amazement, not least my own, I delivered, thanks to a phalanx of angels who came to my rescue, including Edward Norton, who beautifully rewrote the script several times and appallingly never got credit."

[tolbs1010]

I think Norton was also heavily involved in re-shaping Down In The Valley, an underappreciated film that I like a lot (still waiting for a blu ray release). I can only assume his contributions made it better. I also don't give a shit if he stepped on Tony Kaye's toes and took over American History X. Having seen a couple of Tony Kaye's other movies, I will again assume that Norton's contributions made the film better. Filmmaking is a messy, collaborative art form. Sometimes the most talented/creative person(s) on the picture isn't the Director.

Respect to Fiorentino for stepping away from it all and delving into some real-life, high-stakes role playing. Wild stuff that I didn't know anything about until reading this thread.