Image Credit: Mario Perez/ABCIt’s not easy being green…and angry. Indeed, Edward Norton, who brought to life Marvel Comics’ Bruce Banner/The Hulk in 2008′s The Incredible Hulk, will not reprise the role for the 2012 band-of-superhero-brothers extravaganza The Avengers. Norton follows in the footsteps of Eric Bana, who got chartreuse and muscly one time only for 2003′s The Hulk. Norton’s departure from the franchise has been a lot more contentious — read the surprising details here — but I’m not interested in dredging up history. Instead, let’s talk possible replacements:
Chud.com is reporting that Joaquin Phoenix has been offered the chance to take over Norton’s spot alongside The Avengers‘ already talent-heavy roster: Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man, Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow, Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and possibly Don Cheadle as War Machine. But a rep for Marvel Studios tells EW.com that the company never comments on casting rumors. (Additionally, Norton’s agent did not immediately respond to EW’s request for comment.)
Okay, then, but that shouldn’t stop us from talking about who any of us would cast as Bruce Banner if we were in director Joss Whedon’s capable shoes. Personally, I’d go with Matthew Fox, a terrific actor who proved on Lost that he knows how to balance the heroic with the cantankerous, the dashing with the disagreeable. Plus, it hasn’t even been seven days since the erstwhile Jack Shephard scored his very first Emmy nomination. Why not let him sign on the dotted line as The Hulk and make this his best week ever?
Then again, maybe I’m crazy. (Posssssssibleeeee.) Who is your pick to play The Hulk in The Avengers? Speak now in the comments section, or forever hold your peace!
Read more:
Ed Norton will not play The Hulk in ‘The Avengers’
Ooooh I love the idea of Matthew Fox as The Hulk, that sounds good to me!
I loved him on Lost, but he’s got a kinda high voice. Jon Hamm? Josh Charles?
How about Mel Gibson
I’m going with Matthew Fox or Jon Hamm. I kind of would hate Joaquin to get it. He’s just a wee bit prissified for the part.
Because that matters when the giant green man is all CGI?
No, I was referring to when he’d be playing Bruce Banner. The guy may be supposed to be kind of meek and nerdy, but like I said, Joaquin has a sort of prissy way of speaking, and I’ve noticed he has a hard time turning that off.
First off I’d go to see Stallone as Banner but realistically Fox & Phoenix aren’t nerdy enough to pass for Banner…
David Boreanez reunite Angel and Joss Whedon
but Stallone is nerdy enough (or young enough)?
You guys you don’t want to cast someone who is too macho or manly in the role. Banner is the yin the Hulk’s Yang. By that same token you don’t want a Steve Buscemi either. That’s why Ed Norton was awesome. He wasn’t an ass-whooping machine.
HOWEVER, some of the comic book artists, particularly in the Civil War series, have used Steve Buscemi as a model for Bruce Banner so if we are going back to the roots, Steve Buscemi isn’t that far off base.
I don’t think Banner has to be so much nerdy as sensitive and intellectual. In that respect I think Fox would do nicely.
David Boreanaz!! Of course!!!
Good thinking t.t. I’m a huge fan of his, and Angel, and Brennan (Bones). How fantastic would that be to put Boreanaz and Whedon together again?!?!
HOWEVER, the original hulk played by Bill Bixby was mild, humble, soft spoken, and physically soft. This contrasted nicely of course against the raging hulk. Based on that, my #1 vote is still Matthew Fox.
Well considering the fact that Joss Whedon is involved I don’t think you need to look to far from the tree persay
If I were to go with an educated guess I would go with Nathan Fillion. He could easily play the quirky scientist type and Whedon loves working with him AND he is a team player! On the flip side if I were to go out in left field the one that comes to mind that would add a nerdiness and be a perfect jeckyl/hyde persona could be…Zachary Levi!
Love both your ideas on this.
I also love the Matthew Fox idea. He’s got the tortured and self sacrificing thing locked down.
Wrong Lost alum. Jeremy Davies would be the perfect Bruce Banner!
Holy schnickies….you’re right! Jeremy Davies would be absolutely perfect!!!!!!!!!
I like this idea, Jeremy Davies could definitely pull it off!
totally agree. after reading what you said i cant picture anyone else.
Hell, no! I know I’m in the minority here, but Jeremy Davies irritated the cr@p out of me on Lost. What about Adam Baldwin (Chuck)? The guy is a terrific actor and even though he usually plays a tough guy, I cold totally see him as a nerdy scientist.
Ooh, neatness! Matthew Fox would be quite nice, and much better looking than Edward Norton. Norton’s chest is more chicken bone than brawn.
But why not step it up to the next level and get Eric Bana? His Hulk wasn’t the best but Eric Bana killed as Nero and he’s got bigger movie chops than Matthew.
nothing more pathetic than the way Americans think men looking like they take steroids means they can act.
what about the prison break guy
What about Guy Pearce?
OMG!!!! Matthew Fox is like the greatest idea in the history of ideas! I am soooo excited for this movie–the cast looks so amazing and with Joss Whedon at the helm it will definitely kick serious a*ss!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Nicholas-Brendon-For-Bruce-Banner/115364671844870
As long as he can stay off the sauce and not drive, I’m all for it. It’d be GREAT to see him as Banner.
Yes, he would be incredibly perfect for the role in every way imaginable
Yes! I’ve been watching Buffy reruns, and I love Nicholas Brendan! He’d do a great job, as long as he stays sober.
How about Billy Crudup or Bradley Cooper? I’d be cool with Fox too though.
anyone but bradley cooper
OMFG YES! Billy Crudup would be so perfect.
Crudup would be great.
Nope. Fox is a little too handsome to play Banner. They need someone a little more spindly. Norton was physically very good for the role. I just hope the movie does well despite Whedon’s involvement.
Agreed, my vote would go for Sam Rockwell.
Rockwell – perfect! Though I would watch Matthew Fox..
Rockwell is kind of perfect. He can do meek and badass and he has the acting chops and coolness factor too.
wasn’t rockwell a bad guy in Iron Man 2?
@me:
Apparently continuity doesn’t mean spit if the actor who played one of the Fantastic Four is now an Avenger… l mean, really..? NO other actors down there in Hollywood to choose from?
@me:
You’ve got a good point, but FANTASTIC FOUR was made by 20th Century Fox, not Marvel Studios, so Chris Evans can play Captain America at Marvel b/c F4 was at a different house. That being said, I still think it was an idiotic move. Sam Rockwell has been designated by Marvel as Justin Hammer, so I doubt he’d play Banner. Personally, I’m not too thrilled with Chris Evans as Captain America. I think RDJ showed you didn’t have to be a teen or twentysomething to play a superhero. They had the perfect opportunity to give Captain America to someone like Jon Hamm or Matthew Fox and they ended up giving it to some frat boy. Yeesh. Also, Banner is a boring, mopey character, so no actor, no matter his caliber or charisma, can do anything interesting with the character, save for Bill Bixby. It’s not a big loss for Norton career-wise. It might have upped Norton’s box office stats, but it wasn’t doing anything for his reputation as a quality thespian. Not that his reported behind-the-scenes behavior does anything for that either.
GEEZ DT, U havent even seen any promos for Chris Evans as Captain America but your so quick to mouth off how bad he will be – THE DEAL IS DONE, get over it and have faith Marvel knows what it did hiring Evans as the cap – STOP COMPLAINING!
Evans seems an odd choice but he is both a far better actor than a lot of “mainstream” viewers may know and looks about the right age for a freshly recruited ~Steve Rogers; if anything he’s a little old; which fits the bill. It’s both his experience and the fact that he’s decades out of time that make him seem old. In years lived he’s supposed to be about 22when he becomes Captain America and 26 when he “dies”. Hence he’s Only, effectively,26 when he joins The Avengers. Also Tony Stark has always been an older hero anyway.
Can’t do Rockwell as he was Hammer in Iron Man 2…
Rain Wilson
Close, but not quite.
BJ Novack?
Billy… Despite Whedon’s involvement? Are you kidding? He is the best when it comes to big ensemble style casts. Firely, Buffy, and Angel are perfect examples of that. He has the experience to make sure that every member of the Avengers gets appropriate coverage in the film.
I really wish Edward Norton was playing him but I’ll watch Matthew Fox in anything.
I agree.
Hugh Jackman has been on record of wanting to play The Incredible Hulk… No matter how great HJ is, there’s no way he could be Wolvy and Hulk. Matt Damon?
Actually, he has been on the record as wanting to play Bill Bixby in a biopic that he and Bryan Singer have discussed making.
Adam Baldwin?
And I know he’s not a “name” actor, but John Simm would be perfect, methinks.
How about Nathan Fillion? He already has a good track record with Whedon.
fillion is most likely already playing hank pym (ant man) in the avengers, so he probably can’t be hulk.
OMG Nathan would be a great pick for ant man! I never even put the two together. Thanks!!!
Fillion should be Captain America. He could lead and not take no crap from anybody. Chris Evans seems too young and too avant garde. Steve Rogers is a guy who came out of the 30s.
I agree. Fillion is great in Castle, and was wonderful in Firefly. I’m with you.
Do we really need Bruce Banner at all? Why not just have the CGI Huly running rampant?
Doesn’t a CGI play the Hulk? I kid, I kid. I’d prefer to hear Michael Emerson’s creepy take on “You wouldn’t like me when I’m angry”
Now THAT’S an idea!
Hell yeah.
agreed! Michael Emmerson would be an amazing banner
YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
100% yes.
OMG….Michael Emerson is perfect. When he turns into The Hulk, he could resenble Hugo Hurley..lol
No way Foxy will do this
Sharlto Copley
Oh, definitely! I am now a huge fan of Copley, and he would be absolutely perfect for the role!
Hell’s yes, Copley would be PERFECT!!
Who?
The New Murdock from the A-Team movie and District 9. He’d be great.
Copley would be a horrible choice. For one thing, he has that horrible accent he can’t seem to cover up. Anyone see A-team. His Murdock country twang was mangled by his thick accent. It’s soooo bad the had to let him use his real accent in a few scenes just to get through them – South African camera man anyone? Banner is American and Copley just can’t do it. Although I will say, he looks the part and did a great job playing the tramatic soul in District 9 – with his own accent. How about the guy who plays Morgan on Chuck – Gomez?
OMG I completely forgot he existed. Perfect choice! I didn’t see A-Team but he was great as Wikus in District 9…
“OMG I completely forgot he existed.” …and thus you just got his publicist fired.
Eric Bana’s Hulk came out in 2003, not 05.
I saw that too. Poor fact checking.
I think it should be someone who has a proir history with joss. enver gjojak maybe? James Marsters?
I like the idea of Enver, but I don’t think the studio would go for it. They’d want more of a name unfortunately. But somehow, Matthew Fox just doesn’t feel right to me.
Knowing Whedon’s tendency to use actors he has a history with, Enver Gjokaj was the first one I thought of as well.
This is BS Norton played a great Hulk the studio decided they didn’t want him? The other actors there looking at are low level compared to Norton. This is about money and the studio wants to save money. We should protest until they bring Norton back. If something is not broken dont fix it. Look what they did to spider-man!!