The Avengers The Official 'Hulk in Avengers' thread.

[Rock Sexton]

Just because he was happy when he met with Whedon doesn't mean he will be happy when the movie goes into production. I bet he was pleased with what he was hearing about the Incredible Hulk when he signed on too. We all know what happened then.

The general audience will not care that Bruce Banner is a different actor. I guarantee he wouldn't be a major player anyway. The Hulk will be in it a lot more than Banner will. It will be fine.

You SEVERELY underestimate the general audience. Continuity is a huge issue with everyone, not just purists. People know Norton WAS the Hulk just a few years ago. He's a well received actor. It would be the equivalent of removing RDJ as Iron Man.

 

[Charlie No-One]

No it really wouldn't be. Iron Man is a huge successful franchise. TIH underperformed. By the time the Avengers comes out, most of the general public will have forgotten about the Hulk. And if they haven't, they honestly will not be bothered by the switch. The movie will be successful with or without Norton.

 

[Golgo-13]

^Unfortunately, that is true.

 

[Rock Sexton]

No it really wouldn't be. Iron Man is a huge successful franchise. TIH underperformed. By the time the Avengers comes out, most of the general public will have forgotten about the Hulk. And if they haven't, they honestly will not be bothered by the switch. The movie will be successful with or without Norton.

TIH did not under-perform because of Norton. Nobody would've even seen the movie has Norton not been cast. It already was suffering from being rebooted so soon from Ang's and the fact that yet another lead actor was portraying the character. Marvel showed the movie no respect during promotion time and stuck it to Norton on the editing floor. Ya, Marvel's fault, NOT Norton's.

You seem to think the GA just forgets because of a few years spaced in between. There's nothing true about it whatsoever.

 

[Microchip]

The general audience will not care that Bruce Banner is a different actor. I guarantee he wouldn't be a major player anyway. The Hulk will be in it a lot more than Banner will. It will be fine.

Actually, since Superhero movies are pretty much 100% mainstream, the general public will care about stuff like that. The only difference is they'll find out about this from TMZ or when they go see the movie, rather than knowing ahead of time from reading forums with inside scoops. It won't change how much they care about the change.

And how can you guarantee that Hulk won't be a major player? Read the script? Fierge just said they were going for a name actor.

 

[Charlie No-One]

You are naive if you think that the general public will not see the movie because of a cast switch. The big green Hulk is the selling factor. Not the actor playing Banner. Also, the promotion was not Marvel at all. It was Norton. He refused to do much promotion because he didn't get his way. That is fact.

I never said the Hulk wouldn't be a major player. I said Banner wouldn't.

 

[Rock Sexton]

You are naive if you think that the general public will not see the movie because of a cast switch. The big green Hulk is the selling factor. Not the actor playing Banner. Also, the promotion was not Marvel at all. It was Norton. He refused to do much promotion because he didn't get his way. That is fact.

Some will stay away, but the fact of the matter is a lot of people would've been drawn to this movie because of Norton's name .... now that is no longer the case.

Neither Norton nor Marvel spent much time promo'ing ..... and in Norton's defense, I can understand why. Marvel screwed with the movie and put more emphasis on Iron Man, feeling as though it needed more attention since it was a B-List character.

 

[Sarg92]

I think it is just clear that Marvel don't want there to be a TIH franchise.

They did not market the film when it first came out because apparently it would take away Iron Man's thunder so TIH played second fiddle to Iron Man.

After TIH, Feige ignores all questions about TIH sequels and says that Hulk could appear in other Marvel films which means he is relegated to a supporting character.

Joe Carnahan then says that he was approached by Marvel to direct The Avengers and when he read the script and the ideas that were being pitched; it had Hulk as the main villain which was Marvel's idea to kill off any possibility of there being a TIH franchise.

So I reckon that Marvel are going ahead with the idea of killing off any chance of a TIH franchise and don't wanna pay Norton big money for one film when they know his character would never return so instead they are gonna go after an unknown who won't mind just being in one film.

 

[Golgo-13]

Some will stay away, but the fact of the matter is a lot of people would've been drawn to this movie because of Norton's name .... now that is no longer the case.

As much as would love to believe that, most will not stay away because Nortons not returning. He's a known name, but when you're playing a character like Hulk, Hulk himself is the big draw, not the actor playing him. It's different in the case of RDJ as Stark because it was evident by IM2, and the amount of Stark screen time we got, that RDJ was IM's selling point and not the IM suit itself. His charisma is what sold the first movie, and they rammed that down our throats even more so in the second movie. With Hulk, that is not the case. Banner is not really a charismatic character to begin with, and Norton played him with no charisma at all. Now if someone had played him like Bixby, where the audience connected with Banner more so than Hulk, then i'm sure Marvel would do whatever it takes to get that actor back back. The fact of the matter is that most ppl don't care about the Banners that have been played by Bana and Norton, they're just waiting in their seats for him to Hulk-out.

 

[Armored Avenger]

This almost makes me wonder why Marvel even bothered with the individual character films beforehand. Considering they have been made purely as a means to get to "The Avengers" you would think the reasons behind them would be for continuity purposes, seeing an actor as an individual hero and then working in a team environment. But seeing as Marvel has no problem recasting one of the major characters of the team and one of their most iconic heroes I guess the continuity with the previous films is of no concern.

 

[pjspider1C]

This almost makes me wonder why Marvel even bothered with the individual character films beforehand. Considering they have been made purely as a means to get to "The Avengers" you would think the reasons behind them would be for continuity purposes, seeing an actor as an individual hero and then working in a team environment. But seeing as Marvel has no problem recasting one of the major characters of the team and one of their most iconic heroes I guess the continuity with the previous films is of no concern.

Edward Norton had helped write & edit The Incredible Hulk. However, there was some tension between him and Marvel over the final cut of the film, because Edward's version didn't get used - Marvel had the final say. Edward Norton, despite how talented he is - can be very difficult to work with. And his creative needs need to be on par with the other major cast members. I'm guessing he wanted more and Marvel said no. Ed Norton is very picky, high-maintenance, and a bit full of himself... which doesn't work well in an ensemble cast. While I will miss him in the role of Bruce Banner, I'm not surprised to hear this. It'll be interesting to see who they find.

 

[Rock Sexton]

Edward Norton had helped write & edit The Incredible Hulk. However, there was some tension between him and Marvel over the final cut of the film, because Edward's version didn't get used - Marvel had the final say. Edward Norton, despite how talented he is - can be very difficult to work with. And his creative needs need to be on par with the other major cast members. I'm guessing he wanted more and Marvel said no. Ed Norton is very picky, high-maintenance, and a bit full of himself... which doesn't work well in an ensemble cast. While I will miss him in the role of Bruce Banner, I'm not surprised to hear this. It'll be interesting to see who they find.

I think one of these male mannequins would fit their budgetary and creativity constraints.

 

[pjspider1C]

^^ LOL... to play Bruce Banner, that's all you really need! Who gives a f##k about Banner? It's the HULK we want to see runnin' around smashin' sh#t!

 

[Aztec]

Wow Kevin Feige RIPPED Norton in that statement. I wasn't expecting such a strong and personal attack in a publicity statement like that. Wow! There must have been some real behind the scenes fireworks that we are not aware of; either that or Feige just never forgave Norton for not promoting TIH.

Terrible decision by Marvel IMHO. I really wanted Norton in this film.

 

[Slushy]

Edward Norton, despite how talented he is - can be very difficult to work with.

Who cares if he's difficult to work with? He did such a great job in TIH that its nothing, but stupid on Marvel's part not to bring him back. I knew it was too good to be true to keep all the same actors for the Avengers.

 

[Artistsean]

Don't even include Dr. Banner.
Just have a CG Hulk for the whole movie.
Hulk is out in the desert or something, and is contacted (manipulated by Loki) and goes after the Avengers. He fights the Avengers (still manipulated by Loki) then turns and helps the Avengers fight Loki when he figures out he is being manipulated. Then he leaves, rejecting their offer to join, and is gone without ever turning back to his human form.
This version of the Hulk could be slightly smarter too, enough to talk is short sentences anyway.
Hulk mad! Hulk hate Horned Man (Loki)! Hulk hate being used! Hulk want to be left alone. Hulk will smash you! Get out of Hulks way!
Stuff like that.
He is now known well enough that the audience who doesn't read Hulk comics knows who he is. So there is no need to establish him and Dr. Banner. And he wont be the focus of the movie, then all they have to do is voice cast the Hulk.

 

[Aztec]

It just sucks that they spent so much time introducing Banner and telling his story and now he likely will have limited screen time because they want to include needless characters like Hawkeye, Ant-Man, and Wasp.

To me the whole point of this film was the characters meeting and trying to work together. Without Norton an important piece of the puzzle is gone. They are going to really have to hire someone of high quality to replace him.

 

[pjspider1C]

Who cares if he's difficult to work with? He did such a great job in TIH that its nothing, but stupid on Marvel's part not to bring him back. I knew it was too good to be true to keep all the same actors for the Avengers.

Um... maybe because Marvel doesn't want an actor who might make accusations about contract violations which could lead to legal battles? Just a thought....

 

[Chewy]

http://www.cinematical.com/2010/07/10/edward-norton-wont-play-hulk-in-the-avengers-updated/

An "unknown" ..... I think by now we all know what that means ..... it's the money. Lying bastard Feige.

Hitfix reported that BEFORE they reported Feige's statement saying they would go with a name actor... you're trying to make it seem like this decision was purely budgetary when that is highly unlikely. Feige wouldn't have publicly ripped Norton if it were.

 

[Rock Sexton]

Hitfix reported that BEFORE they reported Feige's statement saying they would go with a name actor... you're trying to make it seem like this decision was purely budgetary when that is highly unlikely. Feige wouldn't have publicly ripped Norton if it were.

I dunno man ..... Feige is obviously VERY sensitive to the money issue. It's been documented numerous times how notorious he's been about low balling everyone. Norton hasn't said anything derogatory about Marvel or this process since his return started picking up steam. He clearly was excited about the idea of reprising his role. He cleared his schedule completely for God sakes. Then he gets kicked in the nutts like that? C'mon. What Feige ranted about is not adding up. I'm sorry, it's not.

 

[Doc Ock]

I dunno man ..... Feige is obviously VERY sensitive to the money issue. It's been documented numerous times how notorious he's been about low balling everyone. Norton hasn't said anything derogatory about Marvel or this process since this started picking up steam. He clearly was excited about the idea of reprising his role. He cleared his schedule completely for God sakes. Then he gets kicked in the nutts like that? C'mon. What Feige ranted about is not adding up. I'm sorry, it's not.

I agree completely, there is definitely something else going on IMO.

 

[cronosred]

It seems Marvel is sending a message to all of their actors, "you either do what we say for the amount of money we want to give you or we will replace you in a second and not give it a second thought whether you're a secondary actor or the star."

 

[Chewy]

I dunno man ..... Feige is obviously VERY sensitive to the money issue. It's been documented numerous times how notorious he's been about low balling everyone. Norton hasn't said anything derogatory about Marvel or this process since his return started picking up steam. He clearly was excited about the idea of reprising his role. He cleared his schedule completely for God sakes. Then he gets kicked in the nutts like that? C'mon. What Feige ranted about is not adding up. I'm sorry, it's not.

Right. Because it's totally impossible that Norton isn't very collaborative.

Feige lowballs because he's on a strict budget. It's funny that people try to act like the money is no big deal, and they have all the money in the world. Even with "lowballing" the likes of Rourke and SLJ IM2 cost $200M.

 

[Rock Sexton]

Right. Because it's totally impossible that Norton isn't very collaborative.

Feige lowballs because he's on a strict budget. It's funny that people try to act like the money is no big deal, and they have all the money in the world. Even with "lowballing" the likes of Rourke and SLJ IM2 cost $200M.

There is no concrete proof of this ..... all we know is that Feige came out swinging at Norton's head for absolutely no reason whatsoever. His comments are TOO disparaging and TOO defensive.

 

[Son of Coul]

all we know is that Feige came out swinging at Norton's head for absolutely no reason whatsoever.

Actually I'd say that's exactly what we don't know. Something weird happened behind the scenes and somebody must've blown up at somebody else. If it were a money concern the message wouldn't have been so harsh. He pushed the "collaborative spirit" and "thriving on working in an ensemble," so it's very possible that he and RDJ didn't get along or he started pitching some ideas for more scenes with his character and they pulled a 0 tolerance policy. Feige was quick to shut down the money thing, probably concerned it would result in a "Marvel's filled with cheap bastards!" thing like it had with the IM2 cast. I mean, Norton still does indie movies.