Edward Norton NOT Playing Hulk/Bruce Banner in Avengers Movie

[GrnMarvl14]

Source.

Marvel Studios has confirmed earlier reports that Edward Norton will not reprise his role as Bruce Banner in The Avengers. Instead, another actor is being sought to join the ensemble cast.

In a statement sent to HitFix from the London set of Captain America: The First Avenger, Marvel Studios President Kevin Fiege wrote:

“We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in the Avengers. Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors, but instead rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members. The Avengers demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble, as evidenced by Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfills these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks.”

Presumably that announcement will be made July 24 during the Marvel Studios panel at Comic-Con International.

The earlier story by HitFix had suggested the decision to replace Norton was a financial one. However, it’s clear from Fiege’s statement that Marvel is looking for a “team player,” so to speak. That perhaps lends credence to widely circulated, but frequently denied, reports that Norton had fought with studio executives over the final edits to 2008′s The Incredible Hulk.

So, we get two interesting bits of information from this:

1. The obvious, Norton's out as Hulk. Someone new and "a name" is coming in (making the Hulk's third movie appearance and third actor).

2. Black Widow's all but confirmed to be in the Avengers movie. Something that was wondered and speculated about, but never actually confirmed.

But no Ed Norton as Hulk. Thoughts on that? Thoughts on who they could bring in to replace him?

Me, I liked Bana. One of the few parts of Hulk that was tolerable to me.

EDIT: If you want to read what Norton's agent has to say on this whole thing, here ya go.

 

[TM2-Megatron]

They say it's not a money thing... but I doubt Robert Downey Jr. will come cheap, but he's absolutely necessary (let's face it, he's the face of the new Marvel Movieverse). If Black Widow is in, then Scarlett Johansson is a bit pricey herself; and again, Iron Man stuff is pretty much untouchable. The Hulk, when transformed, is a CG effect anyway, so I guess they figured he was one of the more "expendable" of the big names.

Poor Hulk, though... his franchise is being made to jump through the most hoops in the transition to big screen. First they let Ang Lee make his incredibly stupid abomination of a Hulk movie, then it was reboot and the quality improved quite a bit from it. Now they're changing the main actor, though... a lot of stuff for a movie series to survive through.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

The long standing rumor over Terrence Howard's departure is that he wanted too much money, and there were some...money issues regarding Samuel L. Jackson. So this being a money issue is certainly believable, though I've also heard it might have been an issue of Norton wanting things a specific way, and Marvel not wanting him in a position to be making script demands, or in any way controlling the movie.

 

[boop]

Well, even though they are saying it will be a 'name' actor, there might be a few candidates here. Doubtful, but Whedon likes working with his stable of friends.

I doubt they'll bring back Bana. Hulk wasn't too successful, and I honestly prefer Norton... so there is a little bias there. At the same time, I'm glad to see Norton out of the film, because I'm not big on the Avengers project. I have a feeling it is going to be a clusterfuck.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

Well, even though they are saying it will be a 'name' actor, there might be a few candidates here. Doubtful, but Whedon likes working with his stable of friends.

I'd love to see Alan Tudyk, but rumor has it that Whedon and Norton were really getting along, and on the theories behind this is that Marvel didn't like that, so my guess is that Whedon won't have nearly as big a voice in the casting decision as he likes.

I doubt they'll bring back Bana. Hulk wasn't too successful, and I honestly prefer Norton... so there is a little bias there. At the same time, I'm glad to see Norton out of the film, because I'm not big on the Avengers project. I have a feeling it is going to be a clusterfuck.

It has potential. Whether it builds on the successes of its component parts or fails massively will be determined in a couple of years. I want success...but that shouldn't surprise anyone.

 

[boop]

It has potential. Whether it builds on the successes of its component parts or fails massively will be determined in a couple of years. I want success...but that shouldn't surprise anyone.

The problem is ensemble casts tend not to work in modern summer blockbusters... unless they are directed by Chris Nolan, but he is a rare exception in Hollywood. Whedon works best when not tied down. Unfortunately, it seems he won't have free rein. I wouldn't be surprised if Whedon goes the way of Kevin Smith and Superman. Or Kevin Smith and Green Hornet. Again, doubtful, but if they are going to screw over Whedon when it comes to creative control, I don't know if he will take much of it.

 

[Falconwing]

Aw man, I liked Norton in TIH. Granted, I liked the guy who was in the original Hulk, so if they brought him back I'd be fine.

But I'm sure it's a money thing. It's always a money thing. The fact they have to say it isn't a money thing shows they know we're already going to think that.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

The problem is ensemble casts tend not to work in modern summer blockbusters... unless they are directed by Chris Nolan, but he is a rare exception in Hollywood. Whedon works best when not tied down. Unfortunately, it seems he won't have free rein. I wouldn't be surprised if Whedon goes the way of Kevin Smith and Superman. Or Kevin Smith and Green Hornet. Again, doubtful, but if they are going to screw over Whedon when it comes to creative control, I don't know if he will take much of it.

Hopefully, they'll give Whedon enough control to make the movie fun, and only give him guidelines, and not barriers. Though I've never been 100% on-board with Whedon directing this (I want Favreau. He's proven himself good at these films), but if he sticks it out, I'm willing to wait and see the final product before making any sort of judgment on it.

And for those interested in what the rumor mill has to say as far as a replacement goes: click here. I'm not going to say the name here because: A) It's a rumor and B) IF it's true, I don't want to spoil anything. Either way, two more weeks and we'll know for certain.

 

[GuitarHero]

Aw man, I liked Norton in TIH. Granted, I liked the guy who was in the original Hulk, so if they brought him back I'd be fine.

But I'm sure it's a money thing. It's always a money thing. The fact they have to say it isn't a money thing shows they know we're already going to think that.

I also really liked Norton as the Hulk and was hoping for some consistency between the Hulk and Avengers by at least keeping the same guy since they already changed the Hulk once. (with the last two movies anyways) I can't remember the guy that was in the movie before Norton, but I did enjoy the newest Hulk movie much more than the previous.

 

[CypherFDP]

Then continuity is all fucked.

 

[GrnMarvl14]

And now we have Norton's take on the whole thing. Bravo to Norton for being professional. Though I AM curious as to how close this is to his REAL take on events.

 

[Falconwing]

Then continuity is all fucked.

It's Marvel. Continuity has always been fucked.

 

[TM2-Megatron]

And now we have Norton's take on the whole thing. Bravo to Norton for being professional. Though I AM curious as to how close this is to his REAL take on events.

I've heard in the past day or so that he was a real control freak on the set of TIH, and often wants a ton of creative/editing/writing/etc. control over stuff he works on. I'd have hoped that being on set with RDJ might've been enough to make him sit down, shut up, and do his job, but I guess Marvel didn't want to risk he'd act the same way as he did during TIH.