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Norton Says Bruce Banner's return in Avengers is Up to Fans

HitFix got the chance to sit down with Edward Norton to discuss his upcoming film, and of course you know who came up. Check it Out


These days, what's a Edward Norton interview, without Bruce banner & Avengers coming up. Sitting down with Ed Norton to discuss Leaves of Grass, HitFix's Drew McWeeny, got the chance to discuss just that.

When I sat down with Tim Blake Nelson and Edward Norton to discuss their new collaboration "Leaves Of Grass," we had a free-ranging conversation that was terribly enjoyable, and it was only when we stood up to leave that I finally broached the "Hulk" subject with Norton. Part of me suspected that he would dodge the query or defer it, which is why I left it to the end. Surprisingly, Norton seemed more than willing to discuss it, and his answers were to-the-point and more optimistic than I would have imagined.

"It's really up to you guys," he told me at one point, and by "you guys," he was referring to fans and the fan press in particular. "Is it important to you? Does that continuity matter?" The answer seems to me to be yes, it does matter to people, and there's something appealing about the notion of Edward Norton, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Hemsworth together. That's chemistry I'd like to see. Downey's hyper-confident Tony Stark would make an excellent foil for Norton's twitchy energy as the haunted Banner.

A while ago, comic book editors received an Avengers screenplay, which makes me assume Zak Penn & Marvel Studios have a basic story idea for The Avengers. And President of Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige verbally confirmed Hulk's presence in the film.

To solve the issue, I think they should give Bruce Banner little screen time in The Avengers, only to give off another Hulk film. The Incredible Hulk 2008 film didn't do so well only because people really didn't care about Hulk that much after Hulk 2003. Well putting Hulk in The Avengers is obviously gonna give the Hulk more credibility. And maybe enough to give him another film, giving Edward Norton the chance to play Bruce Banner, as much as he wants.

63 Yes
0 No
DCMarvelFreshman
3/17/2010
HitFix

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94 Comments

Gotta love the name Drew McWeeny! It can't be his real name or else he got beat up as a kid.... a lot.

Norton will be there. They will work things out, imo.
DogsOfWar - 3/17/2010, 10:32 PM
Do we need to start a petition for Norton to be in Avengers? I'd sign it!!!!
happy jesus Pictures, Images and Photos
Awesome - 3/17/2010, 10:34 PM
DogsOfWar
Perhaps that's why he was motivated into writing as opposed to a more physical career.
Phinehas - 3/17/2010, 10:36 PM
Off topic, but who decides which articles get taken down or not? I just wrote an article about Chace Crawford being taken out of the running for Cap and my article is now gone, yet someone posted Krasinski as Cap with humongous ears and it made main. I'm a wee bit confused as to what I did to deserve to have my time wasted.
gorgeousgeeks - 3/17/2010, 10:38 PM
Very intriguing news. Nice to see that they are allowing the fans to have that much influence. Should result in a much better collection of "thumbs up"
MSJuggalo - 3/17/2010, 10:40 PM
Wow I wish it was up to the fans dude I wish
Fartman - 3/17/2010, 10:42 PM
@gorgeousgeeks--It got taken down because it's old news...you probably didn't see it because it was only on CBM for about a half a day until it got debunked and was removed because Chase Crawford doesn't have a twitter account. (I'm assuming that's what your article was about based on the the teaser you put under the article's title, because it was down when I tried to click on it)
contrast - 3/17/2010, 10:46 PM
gorgeousgeeks
"but who decides which articles get taken down or not?"

Appointed editors by the Mighty Galactus, may peace be upon him. They have been endowed with some of his mighty power to destroy all articles that they feel unworthy for the sight of the Great Galactus to gaze upon. If there was anything in it that violated the rules (spelling, old news, bad mechanics, etc) set up for articles, they'll trash it.
Phinehas - 3/17/2010, 10:48 PM
@gorgeousgeeks it probably got deleted because the supposed Twitter account of Chace was confirmed as fake. So apparently hes still in.
DCMarvelFreshman - 3/17/2010, 10:48 PM
@Contrast Oh. Okay. I never saw the article on this site and I do check it everyday.
gorgeousgeeks - 3/17/2010, 10:50 PM
wat a cool guy
AvengingAngel1022 - 3/17/2010, 10:51 PM
this is gud news. I as a fan want both ed norton and hulk in the avengers!
Colton - 3/17/2010, 10:51 PM
I find it interesting that Norton has suddenly been so vocal about the Hulk character. For a long time, he wouldn't even discuss it. Hmmmm....

I really hope they include Hulk AND Banner in the Avengers. Do I need to mention that another Hulk film should also be made?
ecksmanfan - 3/17/2010, 10:51 PM
@gorgeousgeeks: I deleted your article and sent you an email as to why it was deleted. In case you didn't get it for whatever reason, here was my explanation:

The news was not only old (posted a few weeks back) but debunked by yours truly. As someone stated earlier, Chace does not have a Twitter account.

What I recommend to do is not go by what you see on the main page, but run a keyword search (via the included search bar at the top of the page) to make sure the info in your article is fresh.
MultiPurposePoni - 3/17/2010, 10:51 PM
come back lol
luffycapri - 3/17/2010, 10:52 PM
@gorgeousgeeks--yeah, I was telling someone else about it back when it happened (almost two weeks ago, I think) and went to link the article...to my surprise it had been taken down, and that was just a few minutes after I first read it.
contrast - 3/17/2010, 10:53 PM
@MarvelFreshman I feel like a tart now. I don't follow the tweet but I had been checking it. It seemed pretty real. Wow. I just can't imagine faking a celebrity twitter account.
gorgeousgeeks - 3/17/2010, 10:53 PM
"I feel like a tart now."

A 'tard maybe, but not a "tart" for this.
Phinehas - 3/17/2010, 10:54 PM
@gorgeous- people have done a lot worse than pose as a celebrity.
ecksmanfan - 3/17/2010, 10:55 PM
@MultipurposePoni I just checked my email and read your comment. I apologize.
gorgeousgeeks - 3/17/2010, 10:55 PM
@gorgeousgeeks: No worries, it happens.You can't go wrong by only following celeb Twitter accounts that are validated by the site. Look for the green checkmark and the word Verified next to the user name.

Or you can follow me on Twitter (Poni_Boy). There's no need to check if it's verified since I'm neither a celebrity nor pretending to be one :)

. . .what was this article about again?
MultiPurposePoni - 3/17/2010, 10:56 PM
Norton is perfect for the role, he really nailed it and enjoys doing it, him and the hulk deserve another 2 movies.
valeriesghost - 3/17/2010, 10:57 PM
NORTON NEEDS TO BE IN THE AVENGERS!!!!
Peteyparker - 3/17/2010, 11:06 PM
I always liked the rumor I heard around the time TIH was released--that The Incredible Hulk's sequel would be the same movie as Iron Man's sequel. We'd see Tony don the Hulkbuster armor, AND it would be a more clear-cut lead in to The Avengers.
contrast - 3/17/2010, 11:07 PM
Norton should reprise the role. I get personally really upset when they switch out actors and I was okay with the whole entire Hulk reboot. However, I think people are going to be annoyed if Norton isn't Hulk and it would be so wrong to not have Hulk in the Avengers film.
gorgeousgeeks - 3/17/2010, 11:16 PM
NORTON WAS THE PERFECT BRUCE BANNER. I thought he was great. Really did a superb job. Ide love to see him in a wonderfully epic film (series?) with such power.
theartofoneness - 3/17/2010, 11:22 PM
I wonder how you become/became an editor? Are they a small circle of friends?
Fartman - 3/17/2010, 11:25 PM
@Fartman- I'm pretty sure it involves activities that are illegal in some states.
ecksmanfan - 3/17/2010, 11:28 PM
@ecksmanfan
Like sodomy and weed? lol
Fartman - 3/17/2010, 11:30 PM
@ecks: Pretty much whatever is legal in North Korea
MultiPurposePoni - 3/17/2010, 11:31 PM
Possibly and not necessarily in that order.

@multi- So that's why you were so eager to become an editor...giddy up! Oh...and what can we (by we, I mean you and Galactus) do about that lovely Titans ad that's popping up?
ecksmanfan - 3/17/2010, 11:31 PM
@ecks: That's why they were eager to have me, I pack my own bridle

I can go to your house and download an ad blocker for you. Warning, though, I will watch a lot of porn on your computer while it's downloading
MultiPurposePoni - 3/17/2010, 11:34 PM
Pretty sure it's already hit the sh!tter as far as that goes.
ecksmanfan - 3/17/2010, 11:37 PM
Well where do I sign in?? NORTON IN!!!!

I totally agree on him getting back on Hulk. I have Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk on DVD, and this Hulk movie is THE Hulk movie. Way too cool and great piece of work, it's bad that it didn't get so well accepted, but personally I like it a lot, and a 2nd one will rock by far.

Go Edward, please. And let's hope Marvel can make a great Hulk sequel, because it is deserved!!!

HULK SMASH!!!
JLAvenger23 - 3/18/2010, 12:27 AM
That's a collaboration I can go for. But what is the cost gonna be on the cast?
Ryguy88 - 3/18/2010, 12:41 AM
i'll sign a petition for bruce banner/hulk in the avengers but only if ed norton plays him
austen - 3/18/2010, 1:22 AM
My vote is come back! I just finished the movie a couple hours ago & it gets better every time I watch it. ED NORTON FOR PRESIDENT!!!!! haha
whatshisnameMD - 3/18/2010, 1:38 AM
"The answer seems to me to be yes, it does matter to people, and there's something appealing about the notion of Edward Norton, Robert Downey Jr., and Chris Hemsworth together."

AND Samuel L. Jackson

AND Chris Pine =P

YES YES YES

I'm sure I speak for most - this is a no brainer.

You guys know he did the facial expressions for the cg Hulk too - it goes over that process in the blu ray.

How can we prove it to ya Norton - I went to see it, and bought the dvd and the blu ray.

whatshisnameMD - that's been my experience with the film as well. It's a slow burning creeper. I'm probably up to ten viewings now and it gets better and better - just incredible in 1080p.

If they feature Norton as Banner up against Loki, something like what they did with Hulk Vs. - it's just going to rule.

Hell, Norton even makes Brett Ratner look good.
48and2 - 3/18/2010, 2:03 AM
Just throwing it out there, and obviously I'd love to see norton back, but if not, Adrian Brody for banner?
Banner123 - 3/18/2010, 2:55 AM
Look everyone knows that they set a precedent when they cast RDJ. The second they cast him they set the bar as far as the calibre of actor that they need for Thor, Cap and Hulk. They all need equal screen presence to Iron Man in order to properly sell the movie and do justice to The Avengers. The thing with the Avengers is that they are a team with a bit of a leadership issue. Fury puts Cap in charge but everyone sees from the start that Iron Man wants a bit of that action. Hulk and Thor have always been a bit on the roge side, Hulk obviously more than Thor but this isn't Supes and the Justice League. That is why Civil War was so BAD ASS....Iron Man vs Cap...Two Sides divided by the same team...(If Marvel owned the rights to Wolvie like they should then they could cross Wolvie with the Avengers...and have Jackman take on Norton's Hulk)it almost makes them as integral, if not more than The X-Men...That being said Norton is the best human alive for Banner...Hulk isn't anybody and will always be the same thanks to CG...we are looking for the best Bruce Banner and that was Ed Norton. Bottom line, no questions asked. Go watch The Incredible Hulk and find a flaw in Norton's performance...I can only hope that one day we are graced with the Ed Norton Directors Cut...(He is easily far superior actor to Eric Bana and showed up Lou Forigno on the same screen and shot...) He is Banner...
continuezero - 3/18/2010, 3:02 AM
@Banner 123 I would consider Brody if there was ABSOLUTELY NO CHANCE of Norton coming back...I see what you see...proper personality for Banner...there are too many people that try and cast Hulk..we're not casting Hulk we never have or will...we are casting Banner and Brody could be considered if Norton asolutely walked away...
continuezero - 3/18/2010, 3:06 AM
awesome news. bring on more of the hulk in avengers,and a hulk sequel.
1chris2 - 3/18/2010, 3:30 AM
If its up to us then I say: PUT HULK IN THE AVENGERS!!!!!!!
TheCritic17 - 3/18/2010, 4:36 AM
If it's up to the fans, we'd have gotten confirmation of Bruce's appearance in Avengers a long time ago, considering how many want him back.
InTylerWeTrust - 3/18/2010, 4:43 AM
Happy to see Norton a little more postive to the Hulk and Avengers thing. He seems overly glum in any other videos about it. Maybe there actually keeping things underwraps. And ye i agree, i wanna see Downey J.r, Hemsworth and Norton on screen together
Shocker - 3/18/2010, 5:28 AM
And no, i don't wana see a re-cast.
Shocker - 3/18/2010, 5:39 AM
I think the best way to bring him into the Avengers movie would be to have a scene early on in the movie where either Loki and his team of bad guys or the Avengers come to capture Banner, and then a Hulk fight starts.
Because reall, it could go one of two ways.
The bad guys capture Bruce and brain wash the Hulk to use as a weapon, or SHIELD tries to catch him so they can put him with the Avengers.
A fight is more likely to break out with the former, but I'd prefer the latter, because then we get a Hulkbuster fight.
LightningArmour - 3/18/2010, 5:54 AM
Edward Banner, over and over again!

("hail to the king baby")
11viking11 - 3/18/2010, 6:13 AM
the hulk has got to be in it.
hulk team member in avengers no.1
1st avengers movie hulk should be in the team.
simple.
deadpool72 - 3/18/2010, 6:42 AM
I was one of the many people that skipped out on the Incredible Hulk in theaters because I didn't think it would be any good. Partly due to the first Hulk movie, and because I thought Iron Man was so good, what's the odds they'd have 2 consecutive movies in a row. But boy was I wrong. Now I want to see a part 2. I'd sign a petition.
MIDAS - 3/18/2010, 6:53 AM
Norton MUST be in Avengers. MUST!!!
MIDAS - 3/18/2010, 6:55 AM
You guys heard it hear first...

It's up to us to decide on what we want in the films!

Why the "f" weren't we consulted on X-Men Origins:Wolverine?
ElBicho - 3/18/2010, 6:57 AM
I think MARVEL already knows 99% of ppl want NORTON over a year??????????????????????????????

When you've done with all your ST Paddy's day drinking Click the Link = IRISH SUPERHERO CASTINGS!!; D
LEEE777 - 3/18/2010, 7:18 AM
My enthusiasm shall never be curbed. Ed Norton FTW.
WeakMusic4Thomas - 3/18/2010, 7:23 AM
I'm all for anything that will give us more Ed Norton as Bruce Banner on film. If it's "up to us (fans)", what do we need to do to make this happen? Norton made an excellent Bruce Banner.

The Incredible Hulk was a pleasant surprise and a well-made film that just had the unfortunate luck to be the odd superhero film out in the summer of megahits Iron Man and Dark Knight. With a different time of release, it probably would have been more successful.
comicb00kguy - 3/18/2010, 7:35 AM
where do I sign?
Layperson - 3/18/2010, 7:41 AM
Just throwing it out there, and obviously I'd love to see norton back, but if not, Adrian Brody for banner?
Banner123 - 3/18/2010, 7:52 AM
ID SIGN IT TOO!!!!!!!!HULK WILL EVENTUALLY POP UP IN THE FILM AND ED NORTON AND MARVEL WILL WORK THINGS OUT
antonio valdez - 3/18/2010, 8:05 AM
continuezero@ im with you
OdinsBeard - 3/18/2010, 9:28 AM
id sign too!!! even if it was to have a small bit with norton, cuz i too would love to see hemsworth, downey, and norton together!!!

even if they have banner locked up for safety, that would be cool!

so where is the petition?????
HelaGood - 3/18/2010, 9:29 AM
If Marvel is reading this, BRING NORTON BACK. He's the perfect Bruce Banner. Ed Norton brought so much more to the role than other actor would have been willing to do.

Put him in Avengers, and as many Hulk sequels as possible. Louis Letterier should obviously direct each sequel (and hopefully avengers), and this time, Marvel should give complete creative control to Louis. TIH was so heavily edited that the unused footage could be a whole movie by itself. It's no wonder that Norton's pissed.

I really do hope that it's up to the fans, because I really, really want Norton back.


Anyone finished making that petition yet?
supermarioworldE - 3/18/2010, 9:41 AM
@OdinsBeard...Thanks...I just watched TIH again the other day and it's still so good. If everyone could just forget Ang Lee's Piece of Garbage then we could all just move on. Ang Lee's just made no sense, they just took the Hulk character and then made up a random story...TIH is easily one of the best CBM's out there...
continuezero - 3/18/2010, 9:48 AM
Ed:

If the issue is up to we fans, you have the gig. Tell Marvel that we said so.

;- )

I would be supremely disappointed not to see Ed Norton in The Avengers.

~bropous.
bropous - 3/18/2010, 9:58 AM
The only problem is Norton does not want to do another Hulk movie, he said he will do the Avengers, but not another Hulk movie. Maybe he will change his mind after the Avengers, but I dont see that happening
pwalker03 - 3/18/2010, 10:02 AM
Norton is a great Banner - sometimes I find in the comics Bruce Banner can be a bit unlikeable - especially Ultimate Banner, Ultimate Banner is a whiney cancer. But Norton I think captured the character well and is quite complimentary to it.

would be great to see him have one more outing as the character before the torch is passed on.
SoulAllFlush - 3/18/2010, 10:16 AM
What Bropous said.
SixSixteen - 3/18/2010, 10:21 AM
ElBicho@ LOL....maybe we were and a small group of douche fans out there somewhere made that call.
Peteyparker - 3/18/2010, 10:32 AM
Banner must be there and it must be Norton!!
ATOMbomb - 3/18/2010, 10:44 AM
Sounds like a confirmation to me. lol He was better than Bixby.....and I really liked Bixby.

Also, he has to be the villain, doesn't he? Stark talked about Ross' "unique problem".
JJMeylar - 3/18/2010, 10:56 AM
marvel is releasing an animated Avengers show in 2011 that has Caps, Thor, Iron Man, Wasp, Ant-Man... AND HULK!



you would think for continuity purposes they would have the same characters in the movie too... hopefully... well, maybe not ant-man
HelaGood - 3/18/2010, 10:56 AM
Those are some UGLY character designs for that upcoming Avengers cartoon! It's a good group of characters, but they're UGLY. Can't we get someone over 12 to draw the character design for this?
comicb00kguy - 3/18/2010, 11:03 AM
god i really hope so he he was awsome in in hulk 2
Marvel Rules - 3/18/2010, 11:09 AM
@comicbookguy - i agree... especially iron man... he looks like he is part of that awful new transformers cartoon...
HelaGood - 3/18/2010, 11:27 AM
zero@ i agree. it was great. totally underrated. in fact i would say - story wise - it's better than IM. IM was fun but lacked enough action and the climax was .... anti climactic. Hulk was action packed and the final fight was totally satisfactory. people probably just think IM was better because Downey is so much fun to watch. and i certainly wont argue that.

i'm just happy to see Norton being so positive about this thing. i think it's awesome.
OdinsBeard - 3/18/2010, 12:04 PM
I definitely want to see Hulk fight against the Avengers.
And hopefully turns to their side in a final battle where he joins 'em.
DrStrange - 3/18/2010, 12:09 PM
hell yeah he needs to be in the avengers,and if they dont use leader in the avengers the a sequel to the hulk is needed. i myself would love to see many hulk sequels there is so much they could do with that characters, and edward norton is the man.
1chris2 - 3/18/2010, 1:10 PM
Damn Ang Lee killed the Hulk. I really hope Norton gets to play Banner again.
Akercocke - 3/18/2010, 2:19 PM
WE NEED NORTON AGAIN! It will be very sad if he is not in the avengers.
CrashTest - 3/18/2010, 2:46 PM
without the hulk, the avengers just wont seem the same... and it would be nice to see banner and the hulk!

this is just me messing around with what the avengers will look like so far... or close to it...



this has everyone who is currently filming/filmed their parts which will continue into the avengers movie...except for capt. america.

and yes, that is mark valley as caps!
HelaGood - 3/18/2010, 3:42 PM
HelaGood: I KNEW I'd seen that crappy Iron Man somewhere before. He DOES look like one of those "new" Transformers! Nice photoshopping on that team pic in your last post. I certainly hope we're getting Pym and Van Dyne added to that.
comicb00kguy - 3/18/2010, 4:56 PM
@comicbookguy - im with you!! wanna see wasp big time!!! and thanks for the compliment!
HelaGood - 3/18/2010, 5:09 PM
Aaaahhhhhh Hela once again delivering the goods! Chris and Mark look really cool.
Akercocke - 3/18/2010, 5:38 PM
Multi not a celebrity?!?! I call bullshit lol.

And yes Eddie, that kind of continuity does matter. Someone get an Ed Norton in Avengers/Hulk 2 petition going.
ThePrince - 3/18/2010, 7:10 PM
my article got deleted a few weeks ago and that totally killed my motivation. I almost don't have it in me anymore to do another one since. This is the only time I've spoken to anyone about it. I know why articles get deleted. Mine got deleted for a good reason. One day I'll find an article to post. Colm Feore. I said to you all that if I can find out what part he will portray in Thor before anyone else I would post it here.
My whole life it seems hinges on that. (JK)
Scorpioxfactor - 3/18/2010, 7:44 PM
continuezero - great post/s. Agree wholeheartedly. Only thing I'll add is that in TIH, CG Hulk IS ACTUALLY Norton's face. They scanned it and used a process similar (though not as advanced) to Avatar - so I don't suppose they need him for anymore cg work since they already have him scanned - but that is actually his stretched face (to a degree) and those are actually his facial expressions. Watch the features on he blu ray.

IF things HAD to change - Brody would be the way to go. Hell, Brody would be great as any character that has any similarity to him.


JJMeylar - from all the gossip and rumors, it is looking that way. If anyone here didn't check out Hulk Vs., give it a look and I think it may offer some insight into the direction things may be going - Loki and all.


Anyone wants to start a petition and keep track of it, I'll sign. I'd do it, but I barely get a chance to review the articles on the front page and make my responses once a day. Brent, Poni, Rorshach - any of the editors, you guys should put up a petition and keep the thread permanent so Norton and Marvel and their envoys can see how much most of us love the guy as Banner/Hulk, and an actor in general, and what additional credibility he brings to the genre/franchise.
48and2 - 3/18/2010, 10:02 PM
@48and2 Yeah I actually didn't know that, hadn't gotten around to watchin all the features...that does add an element of Norton to Hulk for sure...all the great things you learn on this site. Collective Comic Book Knowledge...haha
continuezero - 3/18/2010, 11:33 PM
e. norton was the best banner ever. the perfect scientist with the worst skeleton in his closet. astounding actor all around
Spyder3355 - 3/20/2010, 3:14 AM
I think Ed should just go ahead and do the movie and stop worrying about fan approval, he starting to get on my nerves.
jimdrums - 3/21/2010, 3:15 PM
Ed Norton, you gotta love'em. He's gonna be in the Avengers movie. The question for me is will Giant-Man be the movie? I know the fans want to see him but it always seems as though when the execs know what we want that is when they won't give it us.
hewilldefytheirgravity - 3/22/2010, 10:03 PM
dear Edward Norton,
I think you are an amazing actor and did one hell of job playing Banner!!! Please listen carefully, it is your civic duty now to continue playing Bruce Banner, because if you dont return then somehow, someway they will find somebody else to play the part and wind up ROYALLY F**KING UP THE WHOLLLLLLLE G*D D*MN THING (just my my opinion I am entitled to it)
AMPworx - 3/23/2010, 3:15 PM
up to us? if it was up to us there would be several more hulk movies, and norton would play banner in every single one. that is if banner is in every single one. i would love tto see a live action planet hulk, and of course banner would not make an appearence if that ever happened.
DoughBoyMontez - 3/25/2010, 9:15 PM
Bring him back it would be a mistake not to. I wish they wouldn't have made that stupid Eric Bana original if only they could have started out with this current version it was such a bad ass movie.
JHowlett - 3/26/2010, 10:47 PM
Norton will be in Avengers! because why the [frick] would Marvel waste time putting Robert Downy jr. in the end of the Hulk movie for nothing? it would make no seance if hulk wasn't in it!
Spideyrules - 4/10/2010, 8:16 PM

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