How important is Ed Norton playing Bruce Banner to you? If it’s very important, you may be upset to hear that HitFix is reporting that Marvel has opted to not bring him on to The Avengers, deciding to go with another actor who might be more affordable.
I’m not that phased, to be honest. I’d rather see Norton appear as Bruce Banner – I’m a nerd, and nerds like continuity – but this doesn’t feel like a deal-breaker to me. The main reason I don’t feel that bummed out about is that I don’t even know how much screen time Bruce Banner will have in the movie. At this point it seems set in stone that The Hulk will be the threat that brings The Avengers together – as it was in the original comics – but there’s no strong indicator of just how important the human side of the Jolly Green Avenger will be. If Banner’s a major player in the story, I might feel the absence of Norton. But if he’s a glorified cameo with The Hulk getting all the screen time… well, whatever allows director Joss Whedon the most freedom to create a huge spectacle is okay by me. And if that something is not paying Norton’s quote, so be it.
Now, if Banner is a major player in the film, this is another matter altogether. If we’re going to spend a lot of time with Banner in human form, it would be nice to have Norton playing the part, in no small measure because he’s a very good actor, and if there’s a lot of screen time I’d rather it be with a good actor.
There’s another aspect to this: if Marvel plans on making more Hulk movies, it might make sense for them to find their replacement Banner now and introduce him in The Avengers. Let’s put it this way – I don’t think Marvel would be willing to make another film with Ed Norton in the lead.
Norton’s interested in playing Banner, and HitFix has a good rundown of that behind the scenes stuff. I just hope this isn’t a case of people using the media to negotiate deals – it’s happened before with Marvel, and I know it’ll happen again. I think the timing of this – two weeks before Comic Con – is no coincidence.
21 comments
"If Banner's a major player in the story, I might feel the absence of Norton. But if he's a glorified cameo with The Hulk getting all the screen time.." — agreed. EDIT please install some comment script
I don't really give a damn if Norton is Banner or not. I don't think he was very compelling in the role anyway. After rewatching Ang Lee's Hulk recently, I think it's a far superior movie that was at least trying for something. Wouldn't it be a mind fuck if Eric Bana reprised the Banner role in Avengers?
just confirmed.DAMN IT
Once again David Maisel is being a moron – rushing Iron Man 2 into mediocrity was apparently only the beginning.
Norton, please. Please. PLEASE.
#2, That would be trippy if Eric Bana came back. But hell, why not? He suits the part, flimsy accent aside, and he's a better actor than a film like this probably needs, which fits Marvel's MO for casting (to a degree). Someone dust off that petition website!
Norton>Bana. I love both actors but I enjoyed the last Hulk more, this coming from someone who majored i Psych (Ang Lee's version). I really think it's a bad thing to recast. This being the third time just get Clooney….
I'd mentioned the Bana thing to folks too. I mean, he'd actually be good for it now. Not that he wasn't before, but he was the wrong actor in what ended up being the wrong kind of movie for the first Hulk. My big problem the first time around with 2003 Hulk was that it was insanely talky for the first hour, and we had no idea who the hell the main actor was, so it wasn't as engaging as it could have been. That's a lot to carry for anyone, much less an unknown. Norton would have been a better pick from the beginning, but Bana's established himself quite a bit in the last several years, and it would be nice to see him take another stab at Banner, with Avengers being a good testing ground before possibly building the Hulk franchise around him again.
I'm not sure why this is a surprise to anyone. For one thing, after all the trouble (real or reported) that Norton caused during the filming of the last Hulk, I pretty much assumed that he was gone, anyway. For another, and I'm not the greatest comic historian, but doesn't Banner appear less and less during most runs on the title? I don't remember him being around during most issues of the Hulk, Avengers or Defenders. As I say though, I don't have great memory on the subject. My favorite run was the Mr. Fixit Hulk and I know that isn't the movie version. That said, Norton getting the boot was a gimme.
Yeah, will never happen, but Bana would be a superior choice in my opinion. He has a great range, and really seemed to "get" Banner. Hulk is hulk, really – smashing shit in CG world, but Banner is the key to audiences sympathy with the character.
I liked banas take on hulk better because although he was afraid of hulks power, he wasn't so afraid of the hulks nature. Banas hulk was a force of nature, not a monster.
I enjoyed the first HULK very much. I was very pleased when The Incredible Hulk was also a blast. Not having Norton as Banner would be a mistake, but one to unbalance the whole Avengers film? Not sure. Personally I would dearly love to see Norton back in the role. And will Sean Connery be back in that teddy bear costume?
I thought part of the appeal of this movie wasn't just that these characters were coming together in the Avengers, but that so would these great actors.
Who wouldn't want to see Robert Downey Jr. act against Edward Norton?
If Norton isn't in the film, but the Hulk is, then I'd rather see no Banner AT ALL. The film can reveal that they've kidnapped the Hulk and he's permanently in that state. If not, then I don't want the franchise to cross over.
This would be the third recasting that has annoyed me. Cheadle as Rhodey made the conflict between him and Tony Stark less meaningful. The Howard Stark recasting ruins any audience recognition that they're in the same continuity. And now the Norton recasting really threatens the appeal of doing movies where franchises come together.
Distinctly uncool.
Motherfuck an F Gary Gray!
Must add two cents. HIRE NORTON, IDIOTS. Thank you.
I'll miss Norton but he's not necessary for the success of The Avengers. I think PATRIC WILSON could be a FANTASTIC choice as a replacement!
Who gives a shit? Joss Whedon is going to fuck this entire project up like he does with his tv show failures so what's the point? Can't wait for Captain America to have daddy issues, all the fights to be "kickboxing" and hey, can't forget to have a character turn gay for no reason.
I have to agree — Norton wasn't that big of a component to The Incredible Hulk, not with Tim Roth chewing at anything in his immediate vacinity and William Hurt effectively channeling the spirit of Keenan Wynn — and it would be a good time for Marvel to switch hitters. But hell, but Ed shows up again, I can't say I wouldn't be a bit pleased.
This kind of puts a damper on things. I don't know if I'm excited by this anymore. This really sucks.
Anthony makes a very good point. I'm more of a movie geek than a comic book nerd. So if you are not bringing together the same actors that started the franchise(s), there is a missing ingredient. I want to see these actors play those characters. It's the same problem I had with Cheadle replacing Howard in Iron Man 2. Although Cheadle is a pretty awesome actor, he didn't have the same chemistry or comradery with Downey, he felt like a different character. So when that big brawl breaks out, he just felt like metal clanking, not old friends at odds. That being said, BRING BACK BANA! That guys is a great actor too, we identify with him being Banner, and he deserves another shot at playing that character.
Honestly, it's sad. Allegedly Whedon and Norton had a great meeting, with Norton clearing his schedule out to make room for Avengers, but it might just be Norton's "schedule"/"profile" that's the issue.
With Marvel's nine picture deal commitments and their going gonzo on the epic branding in regard to marrying actors to their roles, I think they want a guy who'll commit 100% to the Banner role and run with it.
I hate to admit I get the rationale, as I find myself more upset about this bit of musical chairs casting than I expected to be (particularly as I smell an end around in regard to Joss Whedon wanting Norton as much as Norton wanted to be there) but it's logical to want a guy who'll show without issue for any possible sequels to The Avengers and/or The Incredible Hulk. It's the ugly but practical nature of the beast.
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