10 Movie Sequels That Recast Major Characters (For The Better)
1. Bruce Banner - The Avengers
Edward Norton originally played the MCU's first incarnation of Doctor Bruce Banner, back in 2008's Incredible Hulk. While the celebrated actor gave a fine enough portrayal of the troubled, moody Banner, he ultimately failed to strike much of a chord with audiences and the Marvel head honchos, with Norton departing the MCU after his very first outing.
Enter Mark Ruffalo, recasting Bruce Banner as an outwardly calm, inwardly simmering man, having forged a relationship with the Hulk like no portrayal before.
The CGI also improved massively since Hulk's first outing, with expressive motion-capture technology giving us an impressive combination of Mark Ruffalo and big green rage machine. Which, as it happens, would come in entirely useful for certain character developments in Avengers: Endgame.