Marvel have dropped Edward Norton as Bruce Banner/The Hulk and the superhero role will be re-cast in the coming weeks so the character can still appear in The Avengers, it's been confirmed. Marvel Studio's Head of Production Kevin Feige assures us that"it wasn't a money decision" as to why he's gone but instead because Norton hasn't shown enough enthusiasm for the role or the upcoming superhero ensemble itself, and they are instead looking for "an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other talented cast members". It's a pretty clear cut statement from Feige, who tells us that Norton couldn't give a shit about what they were creating and that he's a huge pain in the ass...
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."
One of the reasons, maybe the main reason, why we are eagerly awaiting The Avengers (July 2012, Marvel) - is for our already established superhero's to finally share the same frame with each other in what so far has been an expensive exercise that encompasses three solo films already in the can, and two forthcoming, before The Avengers even hits cinema's. An unprecedented amount of narrative building blocks but it's this kind of comic-book style continuity that has always been this film's selling point, and for the first time ever, we can look forward to watching actors grow into these iconic roles before the orgasmic team-up in 24 months time, where we are fully behind them as these characters. Sadly, as always seems to happen with this simmering, green ogre, it hasn't worked out as planned. The fan reaction to Norton's dismissal has mostly been one of anger and severe disappointment that one of the pieces in this complex puzzle has gone missing so soon, and will have to be re-shaped and then awkwardly slotted back into place. But I'm certainly not someone who holds this point of view and I think Marvel has made the correct decision in this case. The only concern I have is the short time they have now left themselves with in finding a replacement. They should have dropped Norton at least 12 months ago... Given the problems Marvel had in dealing with Norton on the 2008 mis-fire The Incredible Hulk, and with the actor sounding unsure and skeptical around the whole idea of an Avengers movie (and whether he would do it) for two years now - AND - the fact he was pretty much invisible as Bruce Banner anyway (a role he was certainly mis-cast in) - is anyone really surprised by this? We've actually been expecting this and already had figured that Norton had been quietly removed from the frame. Most of the times we have spoken about an Avengers spin-off, we have left off Norton's name completely. I have absolutely no problem with Marvel re-casting this role and would much prefer this than A) Not using Banner when he could be so effective in this kind of team-up (as he is in the comics) or B) Them only using the character as Hulk-sized CGI. They have already re-cast him once when Eric Bana was cruelly dropped and if we had to live with that, then of course we can for this movie too. As long as they keep Robert Downey Jr, Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth etc, all cast in their specific roles, then I don't think anyone will have a problem with this. I would also suggest to Marvel that it might be a good idea to put together a short Hulk film to go in front of Captain America (July 2011), just to introduce whomever they cast in the role (as it's less disruptive than a forced cameo in the film itself) - so the first time we see this new actor as the superhero it won't just be in The Avengers. The statement hints that Marvel are looking for a 'name' actor to play Hulk and the mention of the 'coming weeks', probably hints towards something going down at this month's Comic Con. The likelihood is they only have a few weeks to find someone, and given the fact it took them months and months to find a Thor and Cap - we hope they don't rush things just to get an actor in place. It's probably also a safe bet then that they will look at guys like Channing Tatum and Mike Vogel (though the latter isn't well known) who were up for the Cap part, to see if they are interested. They will almost certainly look for someone meatier than Edward Norton, someone less weedy. We always liked Eric Bana in the part and if they can find someone of similar ilk (or we would be happy if they brought him back), then they will be on the right track. You know who would be cool? Matthew Fox. It probably goes without saying that Bradley Cooper will recieve a phone call about the part (as he does with all these roles these days, though we are hoping he takes on The Flash for DC) and well... we certainly won't be adverse to them casting older, and maybe going left-field. How would you feel about Jason Statham as The Hulk? Think about it... would it work? Though you figure if The Incredible Hulk director Louis Leterrier didn't think of his Transporter series star as a potential Bruce Banner, then why should anyone else? And because we like him in anything - how's about the great Tom Hardy? One last thing to think about... will it be director Joss Whedon who will cast the part, ostensibly being his only major casting so far for his massive ensemble team-up (as the others were already in place before he came on board), or will Feige be the one who ultimately makes the decision? And if it is Whedon... is there anyone he has worked with before that might be up for this?