Rumor: Edward Norton’s Hulk Smashed Out Of The Avengers
Update: This is no longer a rumor, as Marvel’s Kevin Feige made it official with a statement over the weekend.
The details are about as murky right now as those trippy, drugged-out, hallucinogenic visions in Ang Lee’s Hulk movie, but apparently Edward Norton will not be playing Bruce Banner/the Hulk in The Avengers movie after playing the character in The Incredible Hulk back in 2008. According to Drew McWeeny of HitFix, Norton wants to reprise his Hulk character — especially in with Joss Whedon directing and Robert Downey Jr. starring as Tony Stark/Iron Man — but inside sources report that Marvel has pushed him out of the way. The likely culprit? Economic reasons.
It appears Marvel will cast an unknown in the role, continuity be damned. I see their logic. It’s cold, disregards hardcore fans and is completely unartistic, but I see it for sure.
“Downey Jr., plus Whedon, plus the scope of the Avengers? We don’t need Ed freakin’ Norton and his price tag, we already got one A-lister. The Whedon fanboys will be onboard. And look at how much money the Iron Man movies made. All the morons who wear Tapout shirts and drink Natty Light will drag along their girlfriends again. The chicks will tag along to see Downey Jr.’s charm, Chris Evans’ stubble and Chris Hemsworth’s biceps. As for the fanboys, f*** ‘em. They’ll eventually come on board, no matter who we get to play the Hulk. Besides, we’ll find somebody good anyway, so they’ll come around and we’ll have no worries. Plus, we’ll save about $15 million in the process. This worked with Terrence Howard. Sorry, Mr. Norton, you’re Ed-pendable.” – The Marvel Studios Braintrust
You know they’d throw that lame joke in there at the end and laugh way too hard at it, too. Argh. I hope this is just a bogus report from insiders. Or maybe Marvel putting out a feeler to see if they can get away with penny-pinching? If it is Marvel putting out a feeler, they can reach down into my pants and feel something. Yank on that. That’s how I feel about them yanking Norton out of one of the most anticipated comic book flicks of all time and totally screwing up the Avengers landscape (more than Chris Evans ever could). In all seriousness, if this is true his replacement better be incredible.
I’m going to go meditate right now. Marvel won’t like me when I’m angry. I need that watch…and some stretchy purple pants…
I’m with you. Edward Norton was perfect. Terrence Howard was a shame to lose, but, in terms of acting ability Don Cheadle was arguably a step up (though, he didn’t really fit the role). Points for trying. How do you replace Norton though? He’s one of the top actors out there.
I wanted to see him and Downey Jr. share some screen time. Hopefully this is all just a rumour, and he’s in the film (even if it ends up being just a one or two scene role)
I think this article is grossly misinformed.
But first, why would fanboys care one way or another if someone else is in the role of Bruce Banner? I consider myself rather fanboy-ish, and being a fanboy means I’m devoted to the **source material**. The Ed Norton movie is hardly source material; if they find a better replacement for the role, I’ll be thrilled. All I care about is that they bring me the characters I know and love with the best execution possible. If nixing an ego like Ed Norton’s from the project helps achieve that, then I support it.
Ed Norton was continually and famously a jerk on the set of the last Hulk movie – not letting the director direct but instead stepping in and trying to lead (basically, William Shatner except with some acting talent). It was fairly common knowledge in the industry at the time.
Meanwhile, Terrence Howard was cut from Iron Man 2 because he couldn’t act in the first one and he was the highest paid actor in the first movie (that’s right: the highest paid actor – higher than Robert Downey Jr).
I say good riddance to both of them. Norton wasn’t that incredible in the role, and frankly, there’s about a dozen other actors I’d have cast instead of him in the first place. They both couldn’t take direction well on-set, and that shows a lack of trust in the director and lack of teamwork with the rest of the cast. GIVE ‘EM THE BOOT!
HULK SMASH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Want Norton back as Hulk? Sign here: http://fans.marvel.com/go/thread/view/108230/24058041/Sign_the_petition_to_bring_Edward_Norton_back?sdb=1&pg=last#456660409
Ed Norton was a bratt, actors shouldn’t have that much power they go crazy with it… Cheadle is a great actor but NOT in I2 and continuity was a problem there but he definitely was good at the end…… They really need to solidify who Bruce Banner is, he’s dark and twisted and should be like how DC does Batman – whatever that means….. The Avengers won’t work as a movie like the Justice League would – NO WAY…… ok so theres two cents worth. cheers
Save $15 million on a movie that’s probably going to rake in $500 million plus. Nice job, Marvel. You suck.
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