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Edward Norton On Marvel's THE AVENGERS: "It Just Isn't Very Important To Me"

During an interview with Hitfix, the man who was all set to reprise the role of Bruce Banner in The Avengers before things went awry is asked if he has seen the movie yet. Check out his response..

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By Mark "RorMachine" Cassidy - 5/22/2012
I'm sure you have all heard the story - or stories - behind Edward Norton not returning to play Bruce Banner/The Hulk in Joss Whedon's The Avengers. After playing the character in The Incredible Hulk it was more or less assumed that it was a done deal, and he would be back to reprise the role. But this was not to be - the reasons why would depend on who you asked about it. Some took Norton's side, some Marvel's, but I'm sure most people think it's moot now anyway as we ended up with a pretty great replacement in Mark Ruffalo. But how is Norton feeling about the whole thing now that the movie is out?..



Mark is like a brother to me," he said, praising "Avengers" star Mark Ruffalo's commitment to his work overall. "Besides, he's got two kids, and I'm really happy he gets to have this moment with them," he continued. When I asked him if he'd actually seen the film yet, that's when he admitted that he had not, and that it hadn't been a priority.


That excerpt is from Drew McWeeny's Cannes interview with the actor, who is there to promote Wes Anderson's new movie Moonrise Kingdom, and McWeeny is quick to point out that although his response to being asked about The Avengers comes across as dismissive in print, it didn't in context of the interview which was mainly focused on his work in that. Personally I can understand whey he hasn't rushed out to see it yet. Whatever the reasons for him not returning to the role, there is no doubt that he was passionate and committed to the character while he was involved in that universe. He's moved on to other things, and perhaps there is still some disappointment about how things worked out. Anyway, what do you guys make of his comments?







Source: Hitfix
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RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 5/22/2012, 4:10 AM
Well, at least he's honest.
kurekurcubic - 5/22/2012, 4:26 AM
well its his loss.but he does have good upcoming films
revloveR - 5/22/2012, 4:26 AM
lulz. he sounded annoyed.
hartley07 - 5/22/2012, 4:30 AM
pffft. obviously its not important to him, he wasnt in it. fricker.
CrowPirate1 - 5/22/2012, 4:31 AM
the single most watched movie in the world, and he hasn't seen it? esp after he lost the role?

sounds fishy. I imagine him watching, mumbling, "I'd have done that scene differently", then leaving the theater smiling, but kicking the ground with slight regret.
BlanketMan - 5/22/2012, 4:34 AM
Here in Norton's hometown of Columbia, I've heard lots of stories about him, many not-so-flattering - his aloofness is not surprising. But at least he still supports the Orioles! I was disappointed when he was booted off the Avengers, but talk about addition by subtraction. No way the overrated Norton could've matched Ruffalo's performance.
AlexDeLarge87 - 5/22/2012, 4:35 AM
Who wouldnt be annoyed if you get asked billion times the same questions.

He was good Banner. Kinda liked him more than Ruffalo but Mark was better Hulk thou. :)
Destroyer7 - 5/22/2012, 4:38 AM
For me the two of them are okay....
PantherX - 5/22/2012, 4:39 AM
I prefer Ruffalol's Banner/Hulk much more to Norton's, but it's good to see he isn't holding grudges against it and he's moved on. Unlike others I could mention (Oh hai Rourke!)
Whiteharted - 5/22/2012, 4:43 AM
Norton was the BEST BANNER, Ruffalol's was the best HULK!

Norton= Best Banner Ruffalol= Best HULK!

Ruffalol's Banner was BLAND!

Though he was a great HULK!!!!

HULK NOT BANNER!!
Ha1frican - 5/22/2012, 4:44 AM
I feel like he just was pissed he wasn't a part of one of the biggest flms of all time. He is clearly stubborn and doesn't want to admit tht despite his lack of control the movie was fantastic and probably better without him. I mean how busy can the guy be? I haven't even heard him in talks for anything and he can't sneak to the theater to see it? I cal BS
mikesinuman - 5/22/2012, 4:45 AM
bill bixby and lou ferrigno was the great banner hulk.^_^ no CGI. LOL!
Watcher - 5/22/2012, 4:47 AM
lolololololol!!!

I think I sense something here..



Norton's all kinda butt hurt
bropous - 5/22/2012, 4:48 AM
Norton seems a good guy. I loved him as Bruce Banner, and loved Mark Ruffalo as Banner.

I just can't jump onto the "hate Norton because he made business decision" bandwagon.

I think some of you folks need to get a few more years under your belts before you can understand why someone chooses one JOB over another. The guy made a decision, and moved on. He's not slagging off Ruffalo. He's just saying it wasn't right for him, and he moved on, and he hasn't any horrible parting shots because he's not a jerk.

Some of you need to get a few relationships behind you as well to understand that last sentence.

Relationships and business deals end. It's how you deal with that ending that makes the difference, not the fact that you ended them.
BooYah - 5/22/2012, 4:50 AM
I wouldn't have minded Norton coming back. I wonder if he did, would Hulk be cgi? Norton seems too small for mo cap. They could have put Lou Feriggno(spelling?) in the mo cap suit.
BANNER78 - 5/22/2012, 4:51 AM
it was a great move Ruffalo took over...but Norton still has it...he's a great actor, just go back to Primal Fear, never loved to hate someone more!!!
SamHell - 5/22/2012, 4:57 AM
with a name like McWeeny, it's got to be good
Watcher - 5/22/2012, 4:58 AM
sour grapes
marvel72 - 5/22/2012, 5:02 AM
he sounds butt hurt.
LennyBG - 5/22/2012, 5:03 AM
loved Ed as Banner and he is better Banner than Ruffalo but, the hulk and banner are 1 and the same guy in the avengers, and thats something never before has acomplished so... love both actors
shadearts - 5/22/2012, 5:16 AM
Norton was a good Banner but looking at the way the Hulk was written and protrayed he wouldn't have fit in the Avengers Norton seems too serious we would've had a different movie and I like the way hulk is now
Ha1frican - 5/22/2012, 5:29 AM
@Mrthingswehate maybe if Tobey was good but that isn't the case...
hellfire - 5/22/2012, 5:42 AM
As much as I enjoyed Ruffalo's take on Banner Norton is in my opinion a better Banner but that being said Ruffalo hasn't had the solo film yet so only time will tell. Avengers Hulk was a major improvement but this has been a working progress and had only got to where it is because of the first two films. I'm looking forward to a new solo hulk with Ruffalo then hopefully a major fight between H and I in the Hulkbuster suit.
ElApe - 5/22/2012, 5:44 AM
Norton was the better Banner but the Avengers' Hulk is easily the best cgi one we've had. Ruffalo wasn't great as Banner, the "I'm sorry that was cruel" bit with the Widow was rubbish.
Digitaria51 - 5/22/2012, 5:46 AM
Let the butt-hurt flow through you Ed..
Hawksblueyes - 5/22/2012, 5:58 AM
I'm sick of hearing about Nortons position/feelings on anything HULK related.
Unas - 5/22/2012, 6:05 AM
Rufallo is overrated. What was so special about his Banner? He was awkward and lame. His Hulk was the best though!
Vapes - 5/22/2012, 6:09 AM
Sounds like sour grapes.
StrangerX - 5/22/2012, 6:11 AM
I liked Norton as Banner, and he's an awesome actor. The only person I'm glad that's not a part of the Marvel Franchise anymore is Terrence Howard. I can't stand that guy.
Hawksblueyes - 5/22/2012, 6:13 AM
Unas: you just pointed out exactly what was "so special" about his Banner. Bruce has always been awkward and lame. He would rather run away from ANY form of confrontation to avoid letting The Hulk out, as opposed to stepping up and facing something down. He only does that when there is no other option.

Ruffalo is the first to nail Banner.
WaylonJones - 5/22/2012, 6:27 AM
Well said old man BlueEyes!
shadearts - 5/22/2012, 6:30 AM
Sorry all you Norton lovers but in TIH Norton's Banner almost had no connection with his Hulk it was like Norton's Banner on Screen then Next the Hulk on screen ( not to mention that Hulk was one dimenstional) it was basically two different character. In the Avengers the scene with widow and Banner is the best way you can tell they are one Banner yelling DON'T LIE TO ME shows that there is a raging monster in him dying to get lose and I am sorry if Norton did that scene i don't think he wouldve seem intimidating at all. Norton doesn't show all that emotion he is a good actor but Ruffalo is clearly was a better Banner. Why because the Banner and Hulk where the same person but clearly two different characters
Bobevanz - 5/22/2012, 6:30 AM
95 - 5/22/2012, 6:30 AM
I still like his Banner, better.
TheBigBoss917 - 5/22/2012, 6:31 AM
I missed him, I wanted him in The Avengers due to TIH being my favorite Pre-Avengers film and yes im probably a minority in that but i hate recasting just like Rhodes in the Iron Man films
hunterelf - 5/22/2012, 6:39 AM
i still think he'd be awesome in the avengers, but Mark Ruffalo is fine by me
jj72 - 5/22/2012, 6:44 AM
Disappointed when I heard Norton wasn't going to reprise his role in the Avengers because I always admired his skills as an actor. Ruffalo was always a good actor but nothing he was in ever showcased his abilities. His role in the Avengers has shown the world who Ruffalo is because he never had the name recognition of his friend, Norton.
Fogs - 5/22/2012, 6:59 AM
I was in the "Why Norton isn't in Avengers?" wagon. After watching it I'm more like "Why Ruffalo wasn't in TIH?"

Norton was great, but Ruffalo was better.
GreyChaos13Zero - 5/22/2012, 7:02 AM
maybe if his Portuguese language matched the subtitles in the beginning of the Incredible Hulk, he wouldn't have this problem! just sayin'?)
MadTitan - 5/22/2012, 7:10 AM
why would he be interested if he's not even in it, lol...
fair enough though
Scooby - 5/22/2012, 7:10 AM
Norton is one of the best actors alive today - and it's funny how Marvelites don't like him because Marvel and him had a falling out. It's actually sad and pathetic. And the Avengers sucked. Carry on.
Chewtoy - 5/22/2012, 7:18 AM
I'm behind Marvel's decision to go with a new actor after all of the bad blood making Incredible Hulk and Norton not promoting it, regardless of who was ultimately at fault. You know how everyone is saying that it's a miracle that the Avengers worked as a film? Well, Norton brings the kind of combative energy to the process that could have easily derailed it, had he simply decided he knew better than Joss Whedon. I'm glad they didn't risk it.

That said, I wouldn't go to see the film either if I were him, and don't blame him at all. It's not sour grapes so much as why put yourself through that? He's not saying anything bad about the project, just not delving into something that has no upside for him.
thecap - 5/22/2012, 7:20 AM
I like Ruffalo more, but sometimes consistency in actors is more appealing, even if the change to a different actor is an improvement.
chuckg313 - 5/22/2012, 7:25 AM
Rufallo was better...i look forward to a mark getting his own flick
Ranger14 - 5/22/2012, 7:26 AM
Ruffalo was a much better Banner than Norton. Hawks nailed it on his comment and it is what I have said in regard to the Avengers. He was that mild and meek Banner who did whatever he could to harness the power within him, yet even throughout his awkwardness you could see he was a time bomb ticking away. I thought he did an excellent job of portraying that and Banner on-screen.

Norton sounded butt hurt to me. Mark is like his bro, yet he doesn't check out his film where he plays the same role Norton played? Shyeah...right. Not buying it. Norton's jerk nature is still intact.
DoomXfactor - 5/22/2012, 7:29 AM
@teabag- LMAO!!! Another classic gif. Chris Bosh's face is hilarious
DoomXfactor - 5/22/2012, 7:29 AM
@Edward Norton- awesome actor but you're a retard man......
DanteSparda - 5/22/2012, 7:39 AM
I think Ruffalo's banner was better, but to be fair the Avengers developed the Banner/Hulk character much more better than The Incredible Hulk, so maybe Norton could have been a better Hulk in The Avengers, but we will never know.
niknik - 5/22/2012, 7:43 AM
Ruffalo is a good actor but just doesn't "look" like Bruce Banner. Not at all. He just is not a physical match for that character. Norton was. As good as Ruffalo is, I can't help but think that Norton would have been even better in that role in the Avengers.....especially seeing how it was written.
Shadowelfz - 5/22/2012, 7:43 AM
Since Banner wasnt very important to him I'm glad Norton wasnt in the Avengers. Ruffallo did a great job and has signed on for future films so at this point Norton is irrelevent.
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