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Marvel Confirms Edward Norton Won't Be Returning As The Hulk

The studio is going in another direction and is actively looking for another name actor.

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By DogsOfWar - 7/10/2010
Marvel Studios President of Production Kevin Feige forwarded the following email to HitFix:

"We have made the decision to not bring Ed Norton back to portray the title role of Bruce Banner in the Avengers. 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."



DogsOfWar-That is about as official as it gets and doesn't leave any wiggle room. An announcement could come as early as Comic-Con where Marvel is holding a big Hall H preview for Captain America and Thor movies on Saturday. Is Eric Bana available?

Source: HitFlix
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Quasimodo - 7/10/2010, 4:03 PM
this sucks
Quasimodo - 7/10/2010, 4:04 PM
he was probably being " difficult "
Jayisawesome - 7/10/2010, 4:06 PM
Wow that sucks!!!
canadianbacon - 7/10/2010, 4:07 PM
UH! i dont really understand that statement because i
thought that Norton had all the forementioned qualities
that they were looking for....oh well i hope they
choose someone who can hold his own with the current cast
wagonburner - 7/10/2010, 4:07 PM
guy prolly wanted to "co write" avengers aswell.
IonGL2814 - 7/10/2010, 4:08 PM
i think that's kinda bull that they would say Ed Norton would not be good in this cast... idk that's just a big load
wagonburner - 7/10/2010, 4:08 PM
the guy doesn't really have to hold his own, the Hulk has to hold his own, this bruce banner will prolly be like Ultimate bruce banner, push over emo
redrobin56 - 7/10/2010, 4:09 PM
Wow this sucks. Well at least we know it wasn't money problems but problems with the actor. Hope they find somebody good that they don't have problems with.
wagonburner - 7/10/2010, 4:09 PM
the guy doesn't really have to hold his own, the Hulk has to hold his own, this bruce banner will prolly be like Ultimate bruce banner, push over emo
ecksmanfan - 7/10/2010, 4:09 PM
Yeah, polite way of saying he was a pain in the ass.
superotherside - 7/10/2010, 4:10 PM
BIG QUESTION MARVEL! WHY!!!!!!!! the guy was great in the IH why not in the avengers? and does this take the IH out of continuity?
Anthony3 - 7/10/2010, 4:10 PM
Assholes, Norton rules!
AverageCitizen99 - 7/10/2010, 4:11 PM
This really stinks. :(
I can't believe MARVEL did this. I guess we're all pretty sure they have plausible reasons for this. Hopefully whomever they picked can stand up alongside Rob, Chris and Chris. Any suggestions?
dellamorte1872 - 7/10/2010, 4:12 PM
[frick] THIS! 3 HULKS IN LIKE 10 YRS? WHAT ARE THEY [frick]ING NUTS OVER AT MARVEL? HE WAS THE BEST ONE OUT OF THEIR ACTORS WITH RDJ A CLOSE 2ND. WE GET A HORRIBLE 1RON MAN 2 NOW THIS SHIT! [frick] MARVEL!
TheMyth - 7/10/2010, 4:13 PM
[frick] you Marvel. This is a douche bag move...
Gotbatman - 7/10/2010, 4:16 PM
wow Marvel wow
I just got a little less interested in The Avengers movie :/
Sithsidious66 - 7/10/2010, 4:20 PM
FVCK THE AVENGERS MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!!! I HOPE ITS SUCKS BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SERIOUSLY!!!!!!!!!!!!! RRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Marvel Rules - 7/10/2010, 4:20 PM
S O B
Joe6Pack74 - 7/10/2010, 4:22 PM
They just need to explain that Dr. Banner is like Dr. Who. He just regenerates before every motion picture...
Ven0m - 7/10/2010, 4:22 PM
This is [frick]ing bull shit [frick] YOU MARVEL! [frick] Avengers! Im not seeing this shit now. If they have the plot surrounding The Hulk out of control and Loki on him. Then Ed Norton is the guy. [frick] YOU AGAIN MARVEL!
Sanfordpunk - 7/10/2010, 4:22 PM
This is a slap in the face to all marvel's and movies fans
RadHatter - 7/10/2010, 4:23 PM
Can't believe it... Just can't believe it.
WakeUp - 7/10/2010, 4:24 PM
Norton was really good, I hope they don't go completely unknown with their next choice, someone like Casey Affleck wouldn't be a bad choice for a new Banner, he would add a little more "nerd" to the role i think
strilfe - 7/10/2010, 4:25 PM
This sucks! I was watching IH today and it's a great movie. I believe that Marvel believes that is the same situation with Howard/Cheadle. But it's not.
Perhaps Marvel didn't like the fact that Edward Norton was right about the direction of the movie, that his cut should have been the final one (anybody remeber the controversy). Perhaps, they are firing Norton just to put the blame on him. Instead of themselves.
This news is bullshit!
Angelus - 7/10/2010, 4:25 PM
Okay, I've always known Marvel to be some stupid mother[frick]ers because "DC IS THE BEST NADA NADA NADAAAA AND I DONT CARE WHAT YOU THINK!!" - but this confirms it again. And I quote: "Our decision is definitely not one based on MONETARY factors, but INSTEAD rooted in the NEED for an actor who EMBODIES the CREATIVITY and COLLABROATIVE SPIRIT of our other TALENTED cast." - What the [frick] is that supposed to mean!? He probably costs too much. I am laughing my ass of in tears of confusion and disgust. In the NEED!? HUH!?!?! WHAT!? And then: "embodies the creativity and collabroative spirit of our other talented cast" sentence. Marvel has now officially hired creationist to hire actors! Do the creationists really believe that those other "TALENTED" actors are more creative and collaborative than Norton? What the [frick]!?
Edward Norton is an great actor, strike that, he is one of the best modern actors.

In the words of the modern poet and critic Dave Chapelle: "Oh, my God! This is terrible! Could somebody please(!) please find Ja Rule! Get ahold of this *fine fellow* so I can make sense of all this!".

I've said this so many many times before, I live by these following words; Marvel can just go [frick] themselves.

Beware my power!
Eviltwin - 7/10/2010, 4:30 PM
This sucks. I thought Norton was good in IH, I was looking forward to seeing him on the screen again as Banner side by side with RDJ and the rest of them.
Denn1s - 7/10/2010, 4:30 PM
maybe he wanted more screen time. after all the hulk will be the epicenter not banner.
Dynamo - 7/10/2010, 4:32 PM
@ Denn1s Norton definatly doesn't have a problem with having small roles. He's had many minor roles in past and recent films.
Deathlok - 7/10/2010, 4:32 PM
This pretty much translates to Feige having some kind of personal problem with Norton. I can't think of an actor who embodies MORE creativity and collaborative spirit than Edward Norton. The only problem was that they most likely found him to be more creative than THEMSELVES. And you can't have that, no sir. In short, "Here Ed. Just read your damn lines." Get bent Marvel. You made a big mistake.
conformist21 - 7/10/2010, 4:32 PM
marvel, don't stumble,
should bring him the hell back
NightAvenger - 7/10/2010, 4:32 PM
Man this sucks!
JigJRod55 - 7/10/2010, 4:33 PM
"Our decision is definitely not one based on monetary factors" which basically translates as "We're holding a grudge" Great producing guys, you will have had three different actors in the past ten years playing the same character, really great job.
Eviltwin - 7/10/2010, 4:34 PM
Hopefully they will at least bring back William Hurt as Thunderbolt Ross.
Ven0m - 7/10/2010, 4:34 PM
Ed Norton is probably the sole reason that The Incredible Hulk was as awesome as it was. We all know Louis Lettier cant direct worth shit i.e. Clash of the Titans. RAAAAAAAAAAAAAA [frick] MARVEL!
biggcess - 7/10/2010, 4:34 PM
Sucks that he won't be in it.

BUT THE MOST IMPORTANT THING OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS THE FACT THAT THE HULK IS IN THE MOVIE !!!!!!!!

BTW, WB YOU SUCK !!!!
TheAmazingSmitty - 7/10/2010, 4:36 PM
Some of the people here make no sense. Why throw a fit because Norton isn't returning for the Avengers? It's not like that's gonna make Marvel change their minds. The guy was good as Banner, but I'm sure there are actors out there who could play an equally good if not better Banner than Norton. This isn't about having big-name actors like RDJ and Norton together on screen, this is about having superheroes together on screen and that's what we're going to get.
AlternateNo4 - 7/10/2010, 4:38 PM
eh, bana was better anyway. and not because he was emo, but because he was actually believable as a nerdy scientist. norton was jittery and weasely... and even though he did all the brainy experiments in the script he just never seemed brainy.

besides, norton is a real actor—as in an artist and not just an entertainer. i guarantee he wanted the script to include enough character development for banner that he felt like there was a real reason to go back to the character, and i'm equally certain that marvel wanted no such thing. i wouldn't want to see that either! i understand both sides.

hey, i hear tobey maguire's looking for work! (it's a joke, people... calm down.)
Ven0m - 7/10/2010, 4:39 PM
Dead its about continuity and keeping the same face to the same character through this marvel series. I dont want to see some [frick]ing tween actor or anyone else for that matter play banner. WE KNOW he was a good banner. What if the new guy butchers the role. It will not only [frick] Marvels rep up more so than this is doing. This could seriously hurt future CBMS. Right now having a huge fan mass loose faith in you at this peek CBM time is not the best thing.
AlternateNo4 - 7/10/2010, 4:48 PM
ven0m's right. they already messed the continuity up with incredible hulk, and this will make them look like they don't know what the hell they're doing.

ih just should not have looked SO different. even if they dropped lee... did they also have to replace bana and connelly and elliott? and even if they didn't like lee's "squeeze toy" hulk, they should have made a more subtle transition... the IH hulk is too sinewy and yellowy. with a third banner, now marvel just looks incompetent.

maybe they should try to get bana back?
ISleepNow - 7/10/2010, 4:48 PM
booooo, S.T.B.D.
Creature - 7/10/2010, 4:49 PM
WAIT, WHAT?!
TheAmazingSmitty - 7/10/2010, 4:51 PM
@Ven0m
We aren't certain that this new guy is going to mess up the role of Banner. Marvel likely learned from their mistake and will get the guy to sign a contract from the start, making this new actor the guy to portray Banner from now on. Complaining over it won't help anything, Marvel is still trying to create a great Avengers movie for us. You'll have to get used to whoever this new guy is eventually, especially if they make more Hulk movies.
peralta - 7/10/2010, 4:51 PM
were all mad but we all know were still gonna see the movie like 8 to 10 times
hippopotamusprime - 7/10/2010, 4:51 PM
Whoa, why they feel the need to throw in a diss at Norton there? In their attempt to tag him as unprofessional, they are the ones who end up looking like arseholes. The worst part though is that they will probably feel the need to include some Hulk origins for the new actor so we have to sit through some of that again.
ISleepNow - 7/10/2010, 4:52 PM
and I mean the Big dick..
Codeseven - 7/10/2010, 4:53 PM
boo-freakin'-hoo. we'll get over it. marvel has put out some fantastic movies lately so i'm not worried about their decision. they know what they're doing.
InTylerWeTrust - 7/10/2010, 4:53 PM
That's lamez.
AlternateNo4 - 7/10/2010, 4:54 PM
joey, i'm not a super expert, but i'd like to propose that the voice was probably not bale's fault. it sounded good in begins. the problem—for those that believe there WAS a problem—was with the director that told him to make it even more intense, and told the mixer to bring up the level.

i agree that bale is the man.

but routh is definitely not.
ViperXX79 - 7/10/2010, 4:55 PM
LOL @ everyone freaking out and cussing Marvel. Norton was being a douche during/after TIH and he was being a douche through the entire Avenger process. Good riddance to a pain in the ass.
Ven0m - 7/10/2010, 4:55 PM
@ Dead I dont wanna!!! lol Marvel is messing with a huge key piece to the Avengers thats why I am pissed off. And for Marvels sake they better not only cast a amazing actor... this actor has to raise the level or else like I said this will the storm that brings down future CBMS. This is suppose to be a movie of EPIC proportions. They cant mess up even the slightest. What also could suck is if we do cast someone and he sucks they tagged him to a multi contract deal and were stuck with him.
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