It’s Official: Edward Norton Won’t Be An Avenger

Saturday, July 10th, 2010 at 4:51pm
  • 73 Comments
 
It’s Official: Edward Norton <i>Won’t</i> Be An Avenger  

Marvel Studios has confirmed earlier reports that Edward Norton will not reprise his role as Bruce Banner in The Avengers. Instead, another actor is being sought to join the ensemble cast.

In a statement sent to HitFix from the London set of Captain America: The First Avenger, Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige wrote:

“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.”

Presumably that announcement will be made July 24 during the Marvel Studios panel at Comic-Con International.

The earlier story by HitFix had suggested the decision to replace Norton was a financial one. However, it’s clear from Feige’s statement that Marvel is looking for a “team player,” so to speak. That perhaps lends credence to widely circulated, but frequently denied, reports that Norton had fought with studio executives over the final edits to 2008′s The Incredible Hulk.

Judging from the comments on our earlier post, this news won’t sit well with a number of fans.

The Avengers, which presumably is directed by Joss Whedon, stars Chris Evans, Robert Downey Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Samuel L. Jackson … plus a handful of others we’ll learn for certain in two weeks. The movie opens on May 4, 2012.

UPDATE (Sunday, July 11): Norton’s agent has responded to Feige’s comments.

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  • Radiate

    Now I hate to question the legitimacy of HitFlix, but isn't there a possibility that “statement” from Kevin Feign is fake…?

  • Lee

    I think Norton had a bad experience with Marvel on Hulk for not getting credit on the Rewrite. Honestly Zak Penn is such a horrible writer I have little faith in this movie even if Whedon is directing

  • Lee

    I agree, unless the Hulk is the villain you dont need him in, and if he's the villain then we dont really need Banner in it.

  • Dale

    They shouldve stayed with Eric Bana as Bruce Banner. I was very dissatisfied with Norton as Banner. Wasnt Believable !

  • Sonofspam

    Well that was sort or rude and unprofessional but whatever i wasn't all that keen on his version of Bruce.

  • lead_sharp

    Slowly loosing interest in this

  • redvector

    I'd say they've already picked somebody to play the Hulk/Banner and they're keeping it secret until Comicon.

  • gnort

    As much as I'd prefer Norton stay as Banner, no one actor will ever maintain one role forever in regard to a comic character. Especially the more iconic ones. Christian Bale won't be Batman forever just as Tobey Maguire wouldn't hold the role of Spidey for very much longer either, he just turned 35 by the way. How funny would that have seemed in what could've been Spider-man 5 to have a 40 year old college student Peter Parker. ;D
    I just hope whoever plays Banner is good enough. I love the idea of Sharlto Copley in the role!

  • Sugarglid3r

    Yeah the best thing to do is leave the Hulk out now. He was only an Avenger for like four issues anyway, hardly what you'd call a “must have” character.

    If they go ahead and cast someone else, I don't think I will care to watch. In fact, the way this whole thing is shaping up as a major boondoggle, I don't think I will anyway. Too bad too, since there will only be one chance to do this and this is it.

  • Sugarglid3r

    Except that the real appeal of the Marvel characters is the human being behind the mask, cowl, armor or mutation. And without Bruce Banner you're left with a big green gorilla smashing things up with no context or drama.

    Stupid move, Marvel

  • Pcolossus

    I think Marvel just essentially flipped Norton the bird. This is surprising because they are usually much more diplomatitic in Hollywood. They might have cited “creative differences,” for instance. Norton really pissed someone off.

  • Marin

    Is it true that Josh Holloway will be Clint Barton a.k.a. Hawkeye?

  • That lad

    stupid decision

  • paulski

    Shock and horror.

    No, not really. I could have told you this was never going to happen at least 2 years ago. Ed Norton as part of the Avengers ensemble cast? He wouldn't allow himself not to be the centre of attention.

  • McBar0321

    I vote for Steve Buscemi

  • Xerobull

    Complete BS. Norton nailed the role.

  • Sugarglid3r

    Yeah, cause it would be AWFUL to have one of the best actors of the generation be the center of attention in your movie…right?

  • http://twitter.com/fitnessphp Noel Blanco

    Yeah, I don't like this decision at all. I really loved Norton's take on Banner in “The Incredible Hulk”. I hope the new actor they get is really awesome as well.

    Hopefully The Avengers movie is still going to be incredibly awesome, though, especially since nothing like it has been done before.

    I don't agree with those that say that if Norton's out, then the Hulk should be out as well. The Avengers were teased rather well in that movie, and I really want to see where that's all going.

  • Jamesb3

    Edward Norton is infamous for his inability to work with other directors and studios, to the point that he is having trouble these days even getting jobs. I've no doubt that Norton made the Hulk bed that he now lies in…

  • Justin S.

    You have to be kidding me. You doubt Joss Whedon can make this a good film? The fact that you don't even know how to spell his name shows how little you actually know about what he had done. Go read the Astonishing X-Men or Fray and then tell me this is the wrong man to write a storyline for this. Joss knows comics which is why I believe this won't be an awful movie. And for saying “he can't do anything but a cult hit”. Dude, you called it a “hit”. Star Wars and Star Trek are cult hits too.

  • Adam

    Look, Serenity was mediocre. At best.

    If you can look past your own fanboy crush on the man, you'll see he really does not deserve the chance to direct this feature. I mean, since nothing like this has really ever been done (combining various film franchises into one), a LOT is riding on the outcome of The Avengers.

    If I were Marvel, I'd look hard for a competent and accomplished film director. Not a cult favorite whose fandom is comprised of a bunch of folks who liked watching cute teenagers fight vampires on a weekly basis.

  • Cultureprofit

    My problem with this announcement is that the movies have been marketed as semi-independent parts of a linear storyline. There've been three movie setting up the Avengers which have already established parts of the story. Ed Norton's Banner is definitely a part of that. If RDJ suddenly became “too expensive” or seen as not being a “team player” and was dropped, ticket sales would drop significantly. This whole thing reminds me of soap operas where new actors are brought in every few months.

  • Elementalcrazy

    Don't worry all they will screw the movie up and the legendary stories like they did with everything else. Spiderman, xmen, batman, elektra and the list goes on and on. Hollywood does not now how to keep things to the original story. Ed's gone so no need for the hulk, Nick Fury's black now. Please lets just keep our childhood stories they way they should be remembered. These movies will suck we all know this. F you Hollywood I could make a better movie

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