EXCLUSIVE: Marvel confirms they will hire new 'Hulk' for 'The Avengers'
As HitFix reported Friday, Edward Norton will not return to role of Bruce Banner
Next time The Incredible Hulk shows up onscreen, in 2012's 'The Avengers,' it will be a brand-new actor playing the role of Bruce Banner.
[Update - Sunday, July 11 2:10 PM PST: Edward Norton's agent responds to Kevin Feige's statement below.]
As HitFix exclusively reported yesterday, Marvel Studios has now confirmed that it is moving forward on development with their summer 2012 blockbuster "The Avengers," and they have decided not to cast Edward Norton in the key role of Bruce Banner, aka The Incredible Hulk.
In a statement sent in direct response to yesterday's story from the set of "Captain America" in London, Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige forwarded the following exclusively to HitFix:
"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."
And that, as they say, appears to be that.
Fan reaction regarding Norton's departure from the role has been vocal, and there has certainly been much outrage at the idea of such a major piece of the puzzle being recast. There are also fans who are so anxious to see any version of "The Avengers" onscreen that the individual casting is less important to them than the issues of villains or storyline. One thing that is interesting in the statement is the indication that they are, indeed, looking for a name to replace Norton, and not an unknown. Who they pick will ultimately determine whether this continues to be an issue for fans or not.
For now, it appears Marvel has made their choice and has no plans of reacting based on fandom's initial outcry. Earlier today, the Saturday schedule for the San Diego Comic-Con was announced, and there's a slot from 6:00 to 7:00 for a panel on "Captain America" and "Thor" in Hall H, which honestly sounds like one of the biggest events happening in the entire schedule for the five days of the convention. If Marvel's planning to pull any "Avengers"-related hijinks while they've got everyone's attention, that would be the place to do it, and announcing that, say, Sharlto Copely is the new Bruce Banner in the place where "District 9" exploded last year, would certainly be one way to defuse the response from fandom in the wake of yesterday's news. And Joss Whedon's spending a suspicious amount of time in San Diego considering he's not really hardseling "The Cabin In The Woods" at any point. He's just giving a few panels on being awesome, which would certainly seem to indicate he'd be available mid-Saturday afternoon.
Whatever the case, "The Avengers" is set to open on Friday, May 4, 2012.
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July 10, 2010 at 6:31PM EST Reply to Comment"collaborative spirit" -- ouch
Nernt That translates to, 'We want an actor that does as he's fucking told no matter how awful the script is.'
July 10, 2010 at 7:09PM ESTMadCharles Throw it all the crap out the window, It's all about money...
July 11, 2010 at 6:39PM ESTIKE HOW MANY HULKS WILL WE SEE BEFORE THEY GET IT RIGHT? JUST DIG UP BILL BIXBY!!
July 12, 2010 at 3:58PM ESTNick555 This is bullshit. Edward norton is a great actor. He could play any role he wants to. He should be in the new avengers movie. No offense to mark ruffalo, but he is not as skilled as norton. The part does not match his acting style. No doubt after the avengers norton will come out with an amazing movie and rub it in marvels cheap faces. It's all about money at this point. Norton is too good for this movie.
May 18, 2011 at 9:24PM ESTCash Bailey
July 10, 2010 at 6:42PM EST Reply to CommentTranslation: Ed Norton is a pain in the ass who wants to run the show. So eff him...
Jim True dat. He's the LeBron James of film.
July 10, 2010 at 10:12PM ESTLucy Jim and Cash Bailey, troll much? So sad, you mock Ed Norton but yet you are pimply faced teens mocking from behind your screens. Stop insulting talent and get out of mom's basement @_@
July 11, 2010 at 1:29AM ESTJason Sorry Lucy, unless you lived in a cave during the production of that last "Hulk" movie Norton pretty much whined and complained the entire shoot and then pouted like a bitch when the movie was released, refusing to promote it. And as far as mocking someone from behind their screens...did you call Cash and Jim "pimply faced teens" to their faces? Didn't think so. Shut up.
July 11, 2010 at 8:47PM ESTwilliam jim u a bitch for dat comment u make no sense
July 12, 2010 at 9:30PM ESTAlexis Hey Jason, Norton DID do some promotion and he was only pissed about the movie because Marvel had promised him he'd have creative input and then left out almost everything from his script. Yet he still did some promotion and said he was behind the movie AND said he looked forward to a Hulk sequel. I'd be pretty pissed off as well.
July 13, 2010 at 12:03AM ESTJamie Jason dude whoever you are S T F U!!!!!!!!!!!
July 13, 2010 at 5:09AM ESTI don't know who the fuck you think you are saying shit about other people when you HAVEN'T EVEN ACTED BEFORE OR BEEN IN A MOVIE for Christ sake you ppl omfg AND WHAT I'M BOUT TO SAY GOES OUT TO ALL THE REST OF YOU FUCKERS THAT ARE SAYING SHIT.
UNLESS YOU CAN DO A A BETTER JOB AT BEING THE HULK OR CAN DO A FUCKING BETTER JOB AT ACTING THAN THE PERSON YOU SAYING CRAP BOUT THEN YES THEN YOU CAN GO RUN YOUR STINKING POTHOLE OF A MOUTH. Also seriously ME AND THE FUCKING WHOLE WORLD KNOWS YOU OBVIOUSLY CAN'T be a better hulk or a better actor so for the sake of god and for the sake of my anger problems KEEP YOUR MOTHER FUCKING MOUTH CLOSED YOU LIL CUNT!!!
Aloysius lol @ Jamie. Irony is just lost on some people. Oxygen thieving spastic cunt bubble.
July 14, 2010 at 6:54AM ESTDan People who think that you've got to be better at something than the person you're criticizing in order to criticize them have retard parts. If i ask you to draw me a circle, because I'm for whatever reason incapable, and the circle you draw has corners, then you're circle is still shitty. My inability to produce a better one does not lend quality to your production.
July 16, 2010 at 3:08AM ESTJason @Jamie - What they said. Listen, whether you agree or disagree doesn't change anything. It doesn't change the fact that I never said anything about Norton's acting talent, so whether or not I personally would do a better job as "The Hulk" is pointless. Norton's "Hulk" movie was great. I actually enjoyed it. How an actor or actress behaves on-set (see Christian Bale's rants for example) is a reflection of their personal character and THAT is what I was mocking.
July 17, 2010 at 2:09AM ESTAlso, I'll tell you "who the fuck" i think I am. I'm the dude who slapped down a nerdy post-hunting bitch for talking shit about someone voicing their opinions from behind computer screens...while BEHIND HER COMPUTER SCREEN.
Case in point? YOU. Some jack-hole dipshit who thinks LEANING ON THE CAPS BUTTON WILL SOMEHOW MAKE YOU SOUND LOUDER TO THE PERSON READING. It's called typing dipshit. Can't hear you, but if you'd like to post a video of your spazzy-ass beating your head on your desk in frustration, I'd gladly watch it.
So for the "sake of God and your anger problems", I'll go ahead and keep my "mother fucking mouth closed", since I don't use it to type anyway, and resume not giving a big shit if I, or anyone else, plays a big, green, cartoony, CGI character better than Edward Norton. You know...just like I'll never care that I won't be as good an actor as...I dunno, Woody and Buzz. It's often hard to compete with pixelated talent like that.
PS - Blow me.
July 10, 2010 at 6:43PM EST Reply to CommentSo, definitely no chance of Norton's cut of Hulk making it on Blu...
Matias
July 10, 2010 at 6:44PM EST Reply to CommentMy answer is a huge
"WTF!?!?!?!"
I'm bummed, Ed Norton is a great actor, this is just a stupid and reckless mistake from Marvel...
Lucy So true, but their doublespeak means in other words it's about the ca$h
July 11, 2010 at 1:31AM ESTlem
July 10, 2010 at 6:55PM EST Reply to CommentOh well...I guess Marvel's idea of continuity is casting Lou Ferigno as a security guard in BOTH Hulk movies...
John W
July 10, 2010 at 6:56PM EST Reply to CommentI interpret that statement to say: we don't wanna work with a guy who makes T.O. look like the ultimate team player.
July 10, 2010 at 6:58PM EST Reply to CommentWrite a comment...
July 10, 2010 at 7:01PM EST Reply to CommentThat's a really strongly worded "fuck you" to Norton. I feel like this will get uglier.
Dan
July 10, 2010 at 7:01PM EST Reply to CommentFiege is an asshole for that unnecessarily derogatory comment toward Norton.
Ryan
July 10, 2010 at 7:07PM EST Reply to CommentI hereby proclaim myself the only person in the world who really hopes they bring in Eric Bana.
Doug Edawrds Amen Ryan. Bana is always considered one of my favorite actors within the last 15 years or so. Although Clive Owen could pull off " hulk " also.
July 10, 2010 at 10:59PM ESTOsman Man thats exactly what i was looking for in the comments. Eric Bana would be the best choice if people could just forgive the first Hulk. (which was actually better than the second one in my opinion, although i know most will disagree.)
July 11, 2010 at 12:59AM ESTdarthstuey I totally agree- and bring him back. Ang Lee's film was the closest to actually having a comic on screen. The panel changes were awesome.
July 11, 2010 at 3:30PM ESTAlexis wow you guys have terrible tastes in movies
July 13, 2010 at 12:05AM ESTdrew
July 10, 2010 at 7:13PM EST Reply to CommentLet me explain why I'm "Team Edward" in all of this:
I want an Avengers team that feels right together, and part of that is knowing that Banner and Stark are intellectual equals. There aren't many guys in Hollywood who can keep up with Downey at his quickest and weirdest, but I believe Norton could. And I think that would be just as exciting to watch as any of the superhero stuff.
My opinion, anyway.
Dee-El there are other guys that can fit that bill. ..and as for joe's comment below about why the film bombed at the box office...how about: the character CG and the climax of the story sucked.
July 10, 2010 at 8:21PM ESTI. S. The problem with Norton is not that he is not "collaborative" (read: compliant) - filmmaking is inherently collaborative. Norton knows at least as much about it as anyone else on set and, I'm guessing, is finding it harder to keep quiet on poorly-made films. He seems to impulsively work towards a better film, as opposed to Product, and will probably be want to be back in the director's chair sooner or later.
July 11, 2010 at 1:21AM ESTStill, your Sharlto Copley suggestion is inspired. He can do knife-edge attitude and he exudes enough essential humanity to make a one-dimensional character more plausible.
JoeK I agree Drew and this is one of the reasons that Cheadle in the Howard role didn't work for me. Howard had a verve that worked well off Downey in the first one. In the second Iron Man that character is even more in the spotlight and it flat out hurt the movie to not have Terence Howard back in the part, no matter how talented Cheadle is (and he is).
July 11, 2010 at 9:50AM ESTray I agree. The best stories about the Hulk have been about the story between him and his alter ego. Norton is the guy to no only carry that story but hold his own with Downey and Jackson. Anybody else would just be a yes man to the detriment of the film.
July 12, 2010 at 9:31PM ESTjoe
July 10, 2010 at 7:18PM EST Reply to CommentHas the fan reaction really been that "vocal"? Your initial "exclusive" drew a mere 76 comments, many of them by the same few people over and over again. If you're being a straight shooter, I think it would be much more accurate to report that a very very small number of fans have been vocal, but that the news has mainly been met with indifference in the fan community.
drew Really? Wanna go do a lap around the Internet and look at every comic book or pop culture related site and then come back and tell me what you see?
July 10, 2010 at 7:24PM ESTJoe I see that since posted your story drew 76 hits on Hitfix. I see on AICN it drew a measly 436 responses (an average episode of Lost drew more and more passionate talkback). I see that on both sites many of the comments come from the same people posting over and over again. I see that on both sites not all of the comments are negative (lots of people didn't like Norton's Hulk, that's why it... you know... pretty much bombed at the box office). I see that even among the negative comments many of them are more "mildly disappointed" or "not surprised" than any kind of vocal outrage (yes, there are outraged people, but your talking about what... less than half the sample size? on 2 major geek sites? over a few days right when the news was fresh?). So, I see a couple of hundred vocally angry people out of the whole of fandom. That's what I would call news being mainly met with indifference. That's what I see. Why... what did you see (other than that it was your "exclusive")?
July 10, 2010 at 7:38PM ESTlem Norton's hulk bombed simply because it wasn't iron man. Crowds were expecting something special, but instead they got a formulaic superhero movie with no surprises in a year saturated with extraordinary superhero movies...if it were released pre iron man and tdk it would have done gangbusters. It really wasn't a reflection of norton himslef...it just was a pretty good movie that was released among really good movie. Its obvious that Marvel is going the cheaper route with Hemsworth and Evans signing ...remember, RDJ made his comeback after IM, he wasn't exactly a sure thing when they signed him on. I don't doubt that there is an outrage among the internet community, I'm just sure that its because Marvel decided to scrap continuity, not because losing the caliber of actor that Norton is.
July 11, 2010 at 1:25AM ESTlem Btw, sorry for all the misspelled words...its hard to type on an ipad :)
July 11, 2010 at 1:29AM EST
July 11, 2010 at 5:36AM ESTPlayhouse Joe's idea of "looking around the Internet" is to go to two sites. A lot of other sites ran with Drew's story and had comments as well. Try actually searching and not just using your favorites. The majority of responses have been in the negative regarding Marvel's decision.
July 11, 2010 at 12:50PM ESTAlexis on pages and forums that are about comics, the fans have been entirely vocal about this.
July 13, 2010 at 12:45AM ESTjoshmassey
July 10, 2010 at 7:32PM EST Reply to CommentEric Bana available?
July 10, 2010 at 7:57PM EST Reply to CommentWow, I've never seen a man so elegantly punched in the balls in a press release before. I do not envy Whedon one little bit.
Dee-El
July 10, 2010 at 8:11PM EST Reply to Commentha. did Dan Gilbert write this press release. really in no uncertain terms. it appears Norton's reputation as an "arrogant" co-star (even for Hollywood) might have sprung to life somewhere in this process. perhaps.
Chewtoy
July 10, 2010 at 8:22PM EST Reply to CommentWhy am I "so anxious to see any version of The Avengers onscreen" if I don't throw a hissy fit over Norton not being asked back? Maybe I just don't feel he was irreplaceable.
Brynna
July 10, 2010 at 8:42PM EST Reply to CommentUh Marvel. This sucks hard. Ed Norton was amazing in the last movie. And three different hulks in less than ten years? ridiculous. I was excited about this movie, now not so much.
Robert
July 10, 2010 at 8:45PM EST Reply to CommentDrew, GREAT pick for Sharlto Copely as Banner... when I saw "A-Team," I remember thinking: "Damn if this guy doesn't sound like Edward Norton!" I'm also on Team Edward and I want the guy back, but maybe I could be forgiving if they cast Copely AND, AND... they actually bring Liv back as Betty and Hurt back as Ross... then we at least get some kind of continuity.
Jim What about Joshua Jackson? He has a similar voice, and if he grows his hair out, he can look like Norton.
July 10, 2010 at 10:14PM ESTWill ::smack::
July 11, 2010 at 2:56AM ESTBEARison Ford
July 10, 2010 at 8:49PM EST Reply to Commentthis is a really awful decision.
Drew Melbourne
July 10, 2010 at 8:56PM EST Reply to CommentOkay. Well, played. I was figuring that the best that Marvel could hope for with their Banner announcement would be to turn a negative reaction neutral, but crap almighty, Sharlto Copley *would* be dream casting.
Congratulations, HitFix! I will now be disappointed *twice*.
Ry i agree either bring norton back or sharlto copley or i am not even bothering with the advengers shitty movie!!!!
July 11, 2010 at 5:45AM ESTBig Al
July 10, 2010 at 9:01PM EST Reply to CommentCreate a MoCap digital version of Bill Bixby!
Tausif Khan
July 10, 2010 at 9:09PM EST Reply to CommentThey can tell us that Ed Norton is not coming back but they can't make an official statement about Whedon directing?
For Hulk replacements would Bana be really bad? I would like to see any of the male (main cast) actors from the Firefly/Serenity 'verse play Banner/The Hulk
Playhouse Bana worked great in the story that Lee told of a damaged man whose id is brought to frightening green life and unleashed on the world. But he never came off like Bruce Banner. I liked him in the part in relation to that movie. I don't think he'd fit well in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
July 11, 2010 at 12:55PM ESTGuestQuest
July 10, 2010 at 9:13PM EST Reply to CommentOne wonders if "collaborative spirit" means they're genuinely concerned that Norton wouldn't be able to play nice, or if it's basically just a symbolic "fuck you" to the guy for making them look bad during The Incredible Hulk scandal. If it's the latter, this move isn't exactly doing them any favors. They live in a bubble if they think saying "that guy was a total douche anyway" is going to win the fans' support. However since they're apparently sticking to their guns for whatever (stupid and egomaniacal) reason, here's hoping they get another great actor to replace him.
ijacksparrow
July 10, 2010 at 9:50PM EST Reply to CommentI HATE the fact Norton is out. But Sharlto Copely could work. I don't know. This is a sad day.
craig mcfarlane
July 10, 2010 at 10:05PM EST Reply to CommentWhat about Lee Pace as Banner? any takers?
July 10, 2010 at 10:10PM EST Reply to CommentHey! At least Norton won't leave you for Miami.
July 10, 2010 at 10:16PM EST Reply to CommentFuck Marvel. Fuck Marvel in their stupid asses.
Marvel is a fucking clown shoe.
If Marvel was real I'd kick their fucking asses.
John Somehow I doubt that.
July 11, 2010 at 12:16AM ESTLucy John stop trolling. Contribute instead of attacking opinions you "bish". besos!
July 11, 2010 at 1:35AM ESTBlister LMAO. He's paraphrasing a joke from Jay & Silent Bob Strike Back. I agree, Matt Cafaro..
July 11, 2010 at 7:44AM ESTme Marvel is a joke... not only that but the most of the movie is a joke... changing actors and characters..., example Nick Fury, know as Sgt Fury, a comic book; not a black guy and I don't know why he is in the movie. Read the fucken comic book people and know who your characters are
July 12, 2010 at 4:16PM ESTPancho Yarra
July 10, 2010 at 10:40PM EST Reply to CommentAs incredible as he was, I never thought Edward Norton would want to continue to be typecast as The Hulk, so I was expecting something like this.
drew Norton absolutely wants to play the role again. That is not the issue.
July 10, 2010 at 11:20PM ESTKilljoy Drew, that's EXACTLY why this is such a boondoggle. They should be bending over backwards to keep someone of Norton's calibur. If Joss Whedon gives them his approval, and it's not really about money, it should be a done deal.
July 12, 2010 at 1:01AM ESTI don't know Kevin Feige personally, but this decision reeks of bad blood. He's made some good decisions for sure, but I find myself more and more disappointed by what he's doing while in charge.
Killjoy Casting is always subject to knee-jerk reactions from the public early on. I never thought that I would miss Terrance Howard after he was booted, but I did. Don Cheadle is great in a lot of movies, but he had zero chemistry with Downey in Iron Man 2. I also think there must've been better candidates out there than Chris Evans as Captain America. His strength as a actor lies in his charm, wit, smile, etc. If they take that away from him, he'll just be hitting his mark and saying his lines. If he keeps it intact, he won't be Steve Rogers. I like Evans in a lot of things, but I just don't see him as a leader.
July 12, 2010 at 1:14AM ESTKilljoy Not that I've rewatched Star Trek again, Hemsworth would've been a better Cap, actually.
July 12, 2010 at 1:18AM ESTDarth Tigris
July 10, 2010 at 11:40PM EST Reply to CommentIf Norton has the potential to disrupt the chemistry of the cast because of not being a team player in ensemble projects (off hand I can't think of one that he was in since he became a star), then why the outrage about this decision? Isn't it better to have actors that work well together than just stars, even if it breaks actor continuity a bit?
I'm just confused on the OUTRAGE. I personally still can't believe this whole hollywood experiment is happening in my lifetime and this, all things considered, feels really minor comparatively speaking.
shea
July 11, 2010 at 12:20AM EST Reply to CommentBoo! Norton is one of the most compelling actors in Hollywood and has artistic integrity to boot; generally I side with Marvel, but this is just a horrendous mistake.
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