“MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios” reveals the rationale behind Marvel’s decision to recast the Hulk.
Several actors have portrayed the iconic green superhero, though Mark Ruffalo is most commonly associated with the role. Unlike Ruffalo, who has reprised the character multiple times, not all actors who have played the Hulk have had the same opportunity.
Reddit user u/eBICgamer2010 shared an excerpt from the book “MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios” on the r/marvelstudios subreddit. This passage hints at why Edward Norton, who starred as the Hulk in the 2008 film, was not asked to return.
The excerpt states: “The Incredible Hulk, starring Edward Norton and released in the summer of 2008, remains one of Marvel’s least-loved projects. It’s the movie that newcomers to the MCU are encouraged to skip.”
“But it also taught Marvel Studios a valuable early lesson about the limits of collaboration. Put another way, Marvel learned that top-down authorities and creativity are not necessarily in conflict with each other.”
“Marvel eventually boiled that moral down to its essence. ‘We have a no-asshole policy on our movies,’ one Marvel performer summarized. Craig Kyle, who joined Marvel Studios as a producer back in the days of the kite factory, agreed: ‘It’s a great policy.”
Although Norton is not explicitly named as one of the ‘assholes,’ Marvel Studios’ then-president, Kevin Feige, did make a statement regarding Norton’s absence from the role.
In a quote shared by Cinema Blend, Feige told HitFix: “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, Samuel, Scarlett, and all of our talented casts. We are looking to announce a name actor who fulfils these requirements, and is passionate about the iconic role in the coming weeks.”
Edward Norton himself addressed the decision on Facebook.
In July 2010, Norton wrote, as quoted by The Hollywood Reporter: “It seems it won’t work out for me. I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone, but it hasn’t turned out as we all hoped.”
He later explained to NPR in 2014: “My feeling was that I experimented and experienced what I wanted to. I really, really enjoyed it. And yet, I looked at the balance of time in life that one spends not only making those sorts of films but then especially putting them out, and the obligations that rightly come with that.”
Norton added: “I think you can sort of do anything once, but if you do it too many times, it can become a suit that’s hard to take off, in other peoples’ eyes.”
Whatever the circumstances of the parting, let’s hope that after more than a decade, any lingering issues have been resolved.