Marvel has confirmed that
The Incredible Hulk star, Edward Norton will not be Hulking-out in the highly anticipated
Avengers movie, due to the Oscar nominee being difficult to work with. Though Norton's agent disagrees, Marvel will proceed to finding an actor to feel the Goliath's shoes.
Now Devin Faraci from
CHUD is reporting that....
"Reliable sources tell me that Marvel has already put out an offer, and the actor they've spoken to is Joaquin Phoenix, believe it or not. Phoenix is taking time to mull over the offer and the bigger implications - Marvel may yet resurrect the Hulk franchise - but Marvel hopes to have him in place by Comic Con, which is when they want to announce their new Bruce Banner."
Joaquin Phoenix, 35, five years younger than Norton, is best known for his role as the villainous "Commodus" in Ridley Scott's
Gladiator, and as country singer "Johnny Cash" in the movie
Walk The Line. The Academy Award nominee has had a few stumps in his career leading up to his supposed retirement as an actor, and the his last movie being James Gray's 2008
Two Lovers. So Phoenix may turn down the offer, but Marvel has a history of resurrecting careers with an unpleasant history,(Robert Downey Jr. & Mickey Rourke) so who knows.
CHUD goes on to say that...
"I'm hearing that whoever plays Banner will be the lowest man on The Avengers pay totem pole. And if Phoenix doesn't take the part, Marvel will quickly go to someone else."
With Joss Whedon directing,
The Avengers supposedly begins production February 2011 with Robert Downey Jr. (Iron Man), Samuel L. Jackson (Nick Fury), Chris Evans (Captain America), Chris Hemsworth (Thor), and Scarlett Johansson (Black Widow) confirmed. And Jeremy Renner (Hawkeye), Nathan Fillion (Ant-Man), and Eva Longoria (Wasp) unannounced. The film hits theaters May 4, 2012.