Norton Out As Bruce Banner In "Avengers"

[FSTargetDrone]

Bah:

Marvel won't bring back Ed Norton as The Incredible Hulk in 'The Avengers'

By Ethan Sacks
DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Sunday, July 11th 2010, 4:00 AM

The next time the Incredible Hulk turns into a human - it won't be Edward Norton.

The 40-year-old actor, who played the green behemoth's human alter ego in 2008's “The Incredible Hulk”, won't reprise the role for Marvel Studios' upcoming super hero team-up blockbuster, "The Avengers", Hitfix.com reported.

"We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in the Avengers," a spokesman for Marvel Studios told Hit Flix. "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."

Whoever gets the nod to play Hulk alter-ego Dr. Bruce Banner in the mega movie will be the third actor to don the tattered pants: Eric Banna starred in director Ang Lee's 2003 version, "Hulk."

At the time of his casting, Norton was considered a coupe for Marvel, but the actor is said to have showed a temper that rivaled the Hulk's: Norton and studio execs clashed over the film's running time, with director Louis Leterrier reportedly caught in the middle.

"It's as much Marvel's fault as it is Edward's," Leterrier told Entertainment Weekly when the film came out. "And my fault. It's everybody's fault! Or no one's fault, in a way. I regret that [Marvel and Norton] didn't come to an agreement where we could've all worked together."

Expected to hit theaters in 2012, "The Avengers" is expected to be the payoff that teams the studio's franchise superheroes in an "Ocean's Eleven"-sized all-star cast. Headlining the super team are Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Captain America (newly signed Chris Evans), Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) and The Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson).

I thought Norton was just fine as Banner and this is an irritating development. I really dislike recasting unless there is a very good reason, namely death of the actor.

[Guardsman Bass]

I liked Norton as well, although I can sort of see where they are coming from (he was apparently heavily involved in the production process beyond his acting parts in The Incredible Hulk, so they might have been concerned that he'd try and demand a bigger role in determining how the Avengers movie was made).

[Bright]

Damn it, damn it, damn it. I can see the logic in that, considering he'd probably only have ten minutes of screen time and the casting budget for Avengers is already likely to be massive, but... damn it. I like the guy, and he was great at Banner.

[Stofsk]

I wonder if this will mean Hulk stays big and green through the whole movie? Because that could work if Norton isn't going to be in it.

[Enigma]

I don't particularly care who plays Banner even though Ed did a great job but I am more interested in how they'll portray Hulk. Will he be like in the comics, the madder he gets the more powerful he become? Or in the Ang Lee's Hulk, the madder he gets the stronger and larger he becomes? Or is it going to be like Norton's Hulk and his strength be fixed but acts more primal?

[Temujin]

I really wasn't certain Norton playing Banner was going to work. However, once I saw his performance, I have to say I'll miss seeing him as the character in the future.

[JME2]

Too bad; I liked him as Banner.

[FSTargetDrone]

I don't particularly care who plays Banner even though Ed did a great job but I am more interested in how they'll portray Hulk. Will he be like in the comics, the madder he gets the more powerful he become? Or in the Ang Lee's Hulk, the madder he gets the stronger and larger he becomes? Or is it going to be like Norton's Hulk and his strength be fixed but acts more primal?

I would imagine that because The Incredible Hulk and not the other film is part of the Marvel Universe continuity (which includes Iron Man and its sequel) they will go with the Norton version.

EDIT:

Just found a follow-up:

July 12, 2010, 11:18 am
Hulk Casting Decision Makes Edward Norton’s Agent Angry
By DAVE ITZKOFF

Hulk smash – or, failing that, send strongly worded e-mail messages to Web site!

Marvel Entertainment’s decision not to cast Edward Norton as that angry emerald hero in a film has touched off an exchange between Marvel and Mr. Norton’s representatives that is almost as heated as a comic-book battle, albeit with fewer punches being exchanged.

On Friday, HitFix.com reported that Marvel was not asking Mr. Norton, who played Bruce Banner and his not-so-jolly green alter ego in “The Incredible Hulk,” to reprise his role in “The Avengers,” a film planned for 2012 that will unite some of the company’s best-known superheroes (including Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man and Chris Evans as Captain America). In a statement, Marvel said its 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.” A film like “The Avengers,” the studio said, “demands players who thrive working as part of an ensemble.”

That prompted a swift rebuttal from Mr. Norton’s agent Brian Swardstrom, who wrote to HitFix.com that Marvel’s statement was “a purposefully misleading, inappropriate attempt to paint our client in a negative light.” Mr. Swardstrom added that “after several weeks of civil, uncontentious discussions, but before we had come to terms on a deal, a representative from Marvel called to say they had decided to go in another direction with the part,” and that Mr. Norton’s “talent, tireless work ethic and professional integrity deserve more respect, and so do Marvel’s fans.”

Marvel cast Mr. Norton to portray the Banner and Hulk characters for a 2008 relaunch of its Hulk franchise, after a 2003 “Hulk” movie was a box office disappointment. Mr. Norton was also allowed to rewrite the script of his film, and there were rumblings that he and the studio clashed over creative decisions in the weeks before “The Incredible Hulk” was released.

Marvel said it would announce a replacement for Mr. Norton “in the coming weeks.”

[Jim Raynor]

This is disappointing. If The Avengers is supposed to build off of a shared continuity of solo movies, then a major recasting like this undercuts the whole purpose. I thought Norton was really good as Banner, and that The Incredible Hulk was an underrated and overlooked movie (much better than Ang Lee's weird and boring version). The most surprising thing to me is Marvel's announcement. They basically came out and said Norton wasn't a team player, instead of the usual sanitized statement like "After careful consideration, we've decided to go in a new and exciting direction." Talk about burning bridges.

[Tsyroc]

With so many characters was Banner going to be that much of a presence in the movie that they expected Norton to be a problem, or was Norton already starting to be a problem because Banner wasn't going to be in that many scenes?

If they were going to do The Ultimates I could see Banner being in a decent amount of scenes but if they stick close to The Avengers story line he'd hardly be there at all.

I think it also probably comes down to cost. They've already got Downey and Jackson on the films. The rest of the characters are played by people who aren't that well known so they undoubtedly cost less to employ. I'd have liked Norton to continue as Banner but he's not that necessary in ensemble cast pop corn flick where everyone is much more interested in seeing the Hulk than Banner.

[Havok]

Meh. Not surprising. Norton has always been a dick when it comes to trying to control the movies he was in. It isn't a shock that he wouldn't be wanted in an ensemble cast like The Avengers. I would also venture that Marvel doesn't want to chance pissing off Downey and Jackson, who are the real names in this project and absolutely not replaceable. Norton would be a back seat player and his Banner is disposable compared to Stark and Fury. Despite Norton's status as an A lister, his movies mediocre showing put him in this position.

Quite honestly, Norton was average as Banner and wasn't all that much better than Bana or Bixby. It's not really his (or any of their) fault. Banner himself in the comics is so nondescript and un-fleshed out that it is hard to peg down his character like you can with someone like Stark, Rogers and Fury.

I think a mistake that Norton and Marvel made with The Hulk was not letting Norton put more personality into the Hulk and focusing more on that part of Banner's persona. People want to hear about how 'Hulk is strongest one there is!' and 'Hulk SMASH!' not Banner whining 'oh no I love Betsy sooo much'. Don't get me wrong, there were some great parts in The Incredible Hulk but they were few and far between and didn't involve the Hulk enough. But oh well now.

Basically, it's no big loss.

P.S. It would be awesome if they can work Ray Stevenson in.

[Tsyroc]

P.S. It would be awesome if they can work Ray Stevenson in.

He's already Volstagg in the Thor movie so maybe he'll make a cameo.

Or were you hoping for a cameo of him as the Punisher?

[Enigma]

It is official. Mark Ruffalo is the next Bruce Banner\Hulk.

[Bright]

I really liked how Downey introduced Ruffalo in the Comic Con Avengers announcement. He preemptively coaxed a more benevolent reaction out of the crowd. What a guy.

[Jim Raynor]

I'm disappointed...The cast should've shouted "Avengers Assemble!"

[Havok]

How can the Human Torch play Captain America?

Also, was Joss Whedon a surprise?

[FaxModem1]

Well, I'm surprised about it.

[Bright]

How can the Human Torch play Captain America?

Also, was Joss Whedon a surprise?

1. If his role as a serious military guy in Sunshine is anything to go by, then pretty well.
2. Whedon was rumored as basically a shoe-in for quite a while.

[Molyneux]

How can the Human Torch play Captain America?

Also, was Joss Whedon a surprise?

Simple: "Fantastic Four never happened." See, easy?

[Havok]

Actually, that is the case. The Fantastic Four franchise is not in the same universe as Iron Man 1 and 2, Thor, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and now The Avengers.

Perhaps when (and if) the rights to The Fantastic Four ever revert back to Marvel (Disney) they will make new movies and incorporate them into the good universe.

[LionElJonson]

Actually, that is the case. The Fantastic Four franchise is not in the same universe as Iron Man 1 and 2, Thor, Captain America, The Incredible Hulk and now The Avengers.

Perhaps when (and if) the rights to The Fantastic Four ever revert back to Marvel (Disney) they will make new movies and incorporate them into the good universe.

Same goes for the X-Men and Spider Man movies, most likely.

[Jim Raynor]

Fox and Sony won't be letting go of X-Men and Spidey anytime soon. Both franchises are being rebooted, with new movies already in progress.

[Darth Yan]

Meh. Not surprising. Norton has always been a dick when it comes to trying to control the movies he was in. It isn't a shock that he wouldn't be wanted in an ensemble cast like The Avengers. I would also venture that Marvel doesn't want to chance pissing off Downey and Jackson, who are the real names in this project and absolutely not replaceable. Norton would be a back seat player and his Banner is disposable compared to Stark and Fury. Despite Norton's status as an A lister, his movies mediocre showing put him in this position.

Quite honestly, Norton was average as Banner and wasn't all that much better than Bana or Bixby. It's not really his (or any of their) fault. Banner himself in the comics is so nondescript and un-fleshed out that it is hard to peg down his character like you can with someone like Stark, Rogers and Fury.

I think a mistake that Norton and Marvel made with The Hulk was not letting Norton put more personality into the Hulk and focusing more on that part of Banner's persona. People want to hear about how 'Hulk is strongest one there is!' and 'Hulk SMASH!' not Banner whining 'oh no I love Betsy sooo much'. Don't get me wrong, there were some great parts in The Incredible Hulk but they were few and far between and didn't involve the Hulk enough. But oh well now.

Basically, it's no big loss.

P.S. It would be awesome if they can work Ray Stevenson in.

I kind of disagree with that statement. Norton didn't really throw a fuss when some of his scenes didn't make it in, and despite the fact he wasn't paid or credited for editing. He also was more then happy to tour with the cast at comiccon, and apparently got along really well with the director. Another issue is that marvel's statement was disingenuous; Norton is far more creative then most of the cast, and there is a difference between asking for a small bit of creative control and being a douche. And he's been in esnsamble films with other great actors and has still been able to work well with the cast (Death to Smoochy, Red Dragon, Italian Job). Seeing as his public comments didn't show any bitterness towards marvel, I think that maybe Marvel isn't telling the whole truth. Still that's just my opinion.

[Darth Yan]

this is nortons reps response to what went down.

"This offensive statement from Kevin Feige at Marvel is a purposefully misleading, inappropriate attempt to paint our client in a negative light. Here are the facts: two months ago, Kevin called me and said he wanted Edward to reprise the role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers. He told me it would be his fantasy to bring Edward on stage with the rest of the cast at ComiCon and make it the event of the convention. When I said that Edward was definitely open to this idea, Kevin was very excited and we agreed that Edward should meet with Joss Whedon to discuss the project. Edward and Joss had a very good meeting (confirmed by Feige to me) at which Edward said he was enthusiastic at the prospect of being a part of the ensemble cast. Marvel subsequently made him a financial offer to be in the film and both sides started negotiating in good faith. This past Wednesday, after several weeks of civil, uncontentious discussions, but before we had come to terms on a deal, a representative from Marvel called to say they had decided to go in another direction with the part. This seemed to us to be a financial decision but, whatever the case, it is completely their prerogative, and we accepted their decision with no hard feelings.

We know a lot of fans have voiced their public disappointment with this result, but this is no excuse for Feige's mean spirited, accusatory comments. Counter to what Kevin implies here, Edward was looking forward to the opportunity to work with Joss and the other actors in the Avengers cast, many of whom are personal friends of his. Feige's statement is unprofessional, disingenuous and clearly defamatory. Mr. Norton talent, tireless work ethic and professional integrity deserve more respect, and so do Marvel's fans.

Brian Swardstrom
WME"

And given how courteous norton's personal response was, i'm fairly certain that marvel's bullshitting.