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Louis Leterrier Wanted Mark Ruffalo To Play His INCREDIBLE HULK

Leterrier, who directed 2008's The Incredible Hulk for Marvel Studios, reveals that he met with current Bruce Banner Mark Ruffalo to play the Green Goliath, but obviously didn't get his way.

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By Paul Romano - 3/8/2013


Here's a very interesting piece of "what if?" info. In an interview with Empire, The Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier reveals who his original pick for the Green Goliath was: none other than Mark Ruffalo, who went on to play the character in Marvel's The Avengers last summer and was immediately praised for his performance as the best Bruce Banner to date. "I've known Mark for quite a while. I met him on my Hulk a long time ago and it was funny - Marvel didn't go with him first time around." Of course, Edward Norton went on to star in the 2008 Marvel Studios production. Despite delivering a solid performance, the actor parted ways with the studio due to disagreements and was recast for The Avengers. Ruffalo and Leterrier will soon team up on the thriller Now You See Me, which opens November 3rd. Would you have preferred to see Ruffalo in The Incredible Hulk before going on to play the character in The Avengers?







Source: Empire Online
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Orphix - 3/8/2013, 8:31 AM
And his world weariness too :o)
thefirstavenger97 - 3/8/2013, 8:33 AM
Wow that would have been interesting to see.
MrReese - 3/8/2013, 8:35 AM
I liked Norton's Hulk.His roar was better. XD



also that was 1 bad ass fight scene.
MrReese - 3/8/2013, 8:37 AM
Norton's Hulk wouldn't have took all those shots by the Chitauri that [racial slur] would have rip those puny aliens in half. ;)
ATrueHero1987 - 3/8/2013, 8:40 AM
Oh REALLY now?lmao
JoeMomma29 - 3/8/2013, 8:40 AM
theboywonder - 3/8/2013, 8:40 AM
I loved Norton. Mark and Ed just bring out different sides of the character
TheRedSkull - 3/8/2013, 8:41 AM
That's crazy. But maybe it wouldn't have received the same praise as his performance in The Avengers.

As much as I like TIH, no matter who would've been cast, it seems nobody else liked that movie.
fettastic - 3/8/2013, 8:42 AM
Norton wasn't bad. But like with Bana, I just didn't quite buy it for whatever reason.

Ruffalo is perfect.
JoeMomma29 - 3/8/2013, 8:43 AM
It is amazing how Ruffalo did Hulk justice but we do not see a stand alone Hulk movie feature on the horizon yet!
KarlKingNerd616 - 3/8/2013, 8:44 AM
Ruffalo is perfect for banner, absolutely satisfied. The only other character that was as well casted was Tony Stark.
Greengo - 3/8/2013, 8:47 AM
Lmao. Ruffalo's performance was flat and drab imo.

The only thing special about that performance was the CG Hulk.
thatiscrazy - 3/8/2013, 8:48 AM
Both were awesome!
fettastic - 3/8/2013, 8:49 AM
I liked TIH too, but it's not a movie that sticks with me. I don't know why. I think there's just too much negativity going on. Too much angst, anger, crying, etc. It's also pretty dark and scary for kids. A Hulk movie should be a fun adventure, like Avengers. Sure you can have Banner be regretful and stuff, but not DWELL on it so it's a big downer for everyone. That's what both movies screwed up. I actually think I prefer Ang Lee's version because the performances are really good and I like the emotional backstory and weird artsy stuff.
vtopa - 3/8/2013, 8:50 AM
I liked both a lot. I really liked the Leterrier CGI Hulk, lean and mean, with a great roar. I actually would have preferred Norton to Ruffalo. He was more believable to me, but Ruff is fine.
ATrueHero1987 - 3/8/2013, 8:52 AM
Something else funny, in the 2003 movie, they wanted Ed Norton. Now were hearing that in the 2008 version, they wanted Ruffalo.
Godzillafart - 3/8/2013, 9:03 AM
I like Norton, but he never stopped being Norton to be Banner. Ruffalo owns it.
JayJayCAW - 3/8/2013, 9:04 AM
had doubts about Ruffalo as Banner, but he did a good job, would have been cool to see him as Banner in "Incredible Hulk"
HellsHammer - 3/8/2013, 9:04 AM
Doubt it.
SageMode - 3/8/2013, 9:11 AM
Norton was rather boring as Banner. Ruffalo was more charismatic. Ruffalo was better IMO.
MrMartinMarvel - 3/8/2013, 9:16 AM
Edward Norton played Edward Norton. Ruffalo on the other hand IS Bruce Banner.
SupermanReturns2 - 3/8/2013, 9:17 AM
The great thing I feel a lot of people are forgetting is; by the time The Avengers came along, the SFX were 10x's better than TIH. That being the case, the effects crew were able to now put Ruffalo's character into Hulk's appearance, making him even more believable. There was a slight disconnect with Norton's Banner/Hulk-save for the little scar on his cheek.
I did enjoy both performances though.
Sanderman - 3/8/2013, 9:25 AM
I like how at first everyone pissed and moaned about Ruffalo getting the part and now everyone loves him
Patient2670 - 3/8/2013, 9:45 AM
I don't know if it would have made a difference. I Liked the Incredible Hulk and thought Norton did a good job in it. The big difference is that in The Avengers, they changed how they did the creature effects. Ruffalo was the only actor to play both Banner and the Hulk. That would have stayed the same, no matter who got the part.
HumanTorch83 - 3/8/2013, 9:47 AM
@Sanderman exactly what I was thinking. Bunch of cry babies.
CrashTest - 3/8/2013, 9:48 AM
I'll take Norton's hulk any day. They should have also kept the Hulks look and demeanor. I didnt like how they made him ape like the Avengers.
TheLokey1 - 3/8/2013, 9:55 AM
Let Whedon write the next hulk script, banner will star, Leterier can direct the crazy action scenes and let Del Toro have some input on creature design and we will have the best Hulk movie ever!
ThePowerCosmic - 3/8/2013, 9:56 AM
Ruffalo all the way. The Change from Norton to Ruffalo is the only thing that really bothers me about Phase one. If Ruffalo was in TIH instead of Norton Phase one would have been near perfect IMO. The Howard and Cheadle thing doesn't bother me as much because I feel like secondary characters can change, but not the main act!
TheLokey1 - 3/8/2013, 9:56 AM
Whoops, *Ruffalo will star
SuperPopSTOP - 3/8/2013, 10:01 AM
Bring back Bill Bixby! Oops, well maybe for a zombie version of the hulk. Ok, that was tasteless & disrespectful, my bad.
facehugger81 - 3/8/2013, 10:05 AM
Funny, right now I'm listening TIH Score here in my job!
NorrinRaddical - 3/8/2013, 10:15 AM
I don't quite buy it, but I did like Ruffalo a lot.

I know this may be unpopular, but Norton was just a teeny bit closer to how I read him in the comics. Ruffalo nailed the scientist though
impenn8 - 3/8/2013, 10:19 AM
i dont wanna sound mean, or rude. but bullshit! lol hes just saying that now, cuz mark is famous right now ultimately its the director choice of picking the actors for the roles. anyways, can't wait for iron man 3, and fast and the furious 6, and others, much others lol another big year of comicbookmovie !
MrChuff - 3/8/2013, 10:23 AM
Once again for the illiterate: No one has ever or will be "casted" in a movie.
JaySin420 - 3/8/2013, 10:25 AM
Nothing against Ruffalo but I think pretty much any other actor would have succeeded in this role.

In the Hulk and TIH, Banner spent the entire movies basically alone trying everything possible to not become the Hulk (which is pretty damn boring).

And in the Avengers, Banner gets to hang around with Tony Stark, Hulk out on command, and kick everyone's ass.

It's like Superman, people give Routh crap cause he was directed to play a lame stalker-ish Superman but now people will love Cavill cause he gets to play bad-ass Superman.
GUNSMITH - 3/8/2013, 10:30 AM
I THINK THAT RUFFALO PLAYED THE HULK AT THE RIGHT TIME WITH THE RIGHT DIRECTOR..THE TAKE OF THE HULK JUST WAS SPOT ON..YOU GOT A SENSE OF REAL DANGER, HE WASN'T A HUGE DUMB MONSTER HE WAS THIS HUGE DANGEROUS MOUNTAIN OF ANGER.
AINTNOTHINTOFOCWIT - 3/8/2013, 10:30 AM
LOUIS IS A HACK X 100
GUNSMITH - 3/8/2013, 10:34 AM
Fogs - 3/8/2013, 10:37 AM
Before Avengers - Mad because Norton wouldn't be part of it.

After Avengers - Sad because ruffalo wasn't in TIH.
Optimus83 - 3/8/2013, 10:43 AM
¡Sure!. ...Louis Leterrier???
nibs - 3/8/2013, 10:45 AM
Incredible Hulk had some weaknesses but to be honest? I think it and Thor are tied for Marvels 2nd best movie. And any weakness wasn't Norton's fault, it was story. Ruffalo would have made 0 difference.
Iron Man - 8/10
Thor AND TIH - 7/10
Captain America - TFA - 5/10
Iron Man 2 - 4/10

I saw a comment I think by Nomis that said he thought TIH was the weakest Marvel movie. I just find that hard to accept. Captain America was cheese start to finish, 5/10 is probably high. And that's not even mentioning Iron Man 2, which is SO BAD it was painful to watch. I'm at work without my movie list so I forget what I rated Ang Lee's Hulk, it's been a while since I've seen that one. And to give the list some reference Ghost Rider 3/10 Ghost Rider - SOV - 4/10.
hope420 - 3/8/2013, 10:59 AM
I like Norton but his Banner reminded me to much of Bill Bixby (not complaining) But Marks Banner was a totally different character then we have seen. I like the nervous, twitchy Banner. He was a geek not some cool guy.
Nevermender - 3/8/2013, 11:08 AM
Not anti-Ruffalo but I thought his portrayal was completely 'eh'. They even dressed him all drab as though he was the wolf man or something. Not to mention he wasn't very engaging.
highflyer - 3/8/2013, 11:27 AM
I don't believe norton did the character any injustice whatsoever. He captured banner's struggles and desperation perfectly. His hulk was the most vicious hulk I've ever seen on screen. The thing is, banner is a very layered character so you can't cram all in one movie. Ruffalo showed banner's fun and calm side while norton showed banner's dark and tortured side.
highflyer - 3/8/2013, 11:29 AM
@hope420, ruffalo actually reminded me of bixby's banner. They even dress alike and do the same 'trying to help people' thing
sinsear912 - 3/8/2013, 11:33 AM
To date i havent seen banner done justice since bill bixby. The hulk was the star. There was nothing special about ruffalo or norton or bana. Maybe they should just 4get banner all together and just do a alll hulk movie
highflyer - 3/8/2013, 11:33 AM
@sagemode, how was ruffalo "charismatic" he had too much zen. That isn't the banner i know from the comics.
LFANCH - 3/8/2013, 11:45 AM
I liked TIH, I thought that it had the best climactic fight scene in phase one (other than avengers). I would say it's up there with Thor. Iron man 2 was the weakest in my opinion. A lot of folks didn't care for Cap but I thought it was mostly well done. It was a little cheesy but that was done on purpose, it was supposed to feel like an older movie. I think that made it feel a little wonky though. There were things like certain bits of dialogue or certain shots that were done in the style of classical films, but there were also special effects and more modern action hero qualities. I think cap one will look much better after more cap movies come out, and we can see cap in the environment we typically see him in in the comics.
SpoonWielder - 3/8/2013, 11:54 AM
If it's true or not, it's for the best we got Norton. Apparently Zak Penn's script was less than good, and Norton did a lot of the rewrites himself. When he and Marvel had creative differences he had his name taken off the writing credit.
The Incredible Hulk is a great movie, while it does have flaws, some of the other Phase 1 movies are worse.
While some of you may not like the movie, or Norton's Banner/Hulk, the movie could have been a LOT worse.
nld3 - 3/8/2013, 12:00 PM
More proof Norton wasn't right for the part. Marvel forced Norton on Leterrier because of pleasing those certain fanboys who know nothing when it comes to movie making. Remember Fanboys you know who you are. And you all wanted Norton & he sank your Hulk franchise!
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