Edward Norton is banned from returning as Hulk, new book about Marvel claims

23 October, 2023

Ed Norton

A new book about Marvel has claimed that actor Edward Norton is banned from returning as the Hulk in any future movies.

In Joanna Robinson’s new book, MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, it’s claimed that while the call is open for other guest actors to return to their roles, Norton won’t be asked back.

The book claimed: “If the Inhumans could be rehabilitated, apparently everyone in MCU history was on [Marvel boss’ Kevin] Feige’s call list—except Edward Norton, the franchise’s first Bruce Banner, and Joss Whedon, whose Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. characters remained in limbo”

Shortly before development began on The Avengers, Feige released a statement on Norton’s role in the MCU.

He said at the time: “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.”

Actor Mark Ruffalo went on to eventually play the Hulk in the franchise.

Edward Norton (R) shares a light moment with actress Liv Tyler (L) on the "green" carpet before the Japan premiere of their new movie "the Incredible Hulk" in Tokyo on July 29, 2008. The film will be shown all over Japan from August 1. AFP PHOTO/Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP via Getty Images)
Edward Norton (R) shares a light moment with actress Liv Tyler (L) on the “green” carpet before the Japan premiere of their new movie “the Incredible Hulk” in Tokyo on July 29, 2008. The film will be shown all over Japan from August 1. AFP PHOTO/Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP via Getty Images)

In other Marvel news, Scott Derrickson recently detailed why he decided to step down as director on the sequel to Doctor Strange, saying that he left to avoid making a “monstrosity”.

The director, who helmed the original 2016 film, was originally announced to direct the sequel, titled Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness. Derrickson, however, departed the project in January 2020 citing “creative differences”, and was later replaced by Sam Raimi.

“All I can say is that what we said publicly is exactly the truth,” Derrickson said. “We had real creative differences. You know, the movie I wanted to make and how I wanted to make it was different than – it was just increasingly obvious that we were pulling against each other.

“And that’s how you make a really bad movie, I think. When the producer or the studio and the filmmaker are making different movies, you end up with a monstrosity and, you know, that’s why I had to bounce.”

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