Edward Norton is Reportedly Banned From Returning to the Marvel Cinematic Universe
While the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) has become famous for its continuity and the multi-film deals its actors sign, there has been one glaring re-casting in Marvel history.
Although Mark Ruffalo has become synonymous with Bruce Banner and the Hulk, the role was actually originated by Edward Norton in 2008’s The Incredible Hulk.
Norton’s Hulk film would become one of the foundational entries into the MCU; however, the relationship between the actor and Marvel quickly became strained.
Norton’s MCU Exit
Shortly before production began on 2012’s The Avengers, Kevin Feige released a statement saying that Marvel had chosen not to bring Norton back into the MCU.
“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.”
Norton for his part, originally posted on Facebook in 2010 that he wanted to continue playing the Hulk, but it was not meant to be.
“I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone, but it hasn’t turned out as we all hoped.”
By 2012, Norton had changed his tune, hinting that he had chosen not to return.
“My feeling was that I experimented and experienced what I wanted to,” Norton said. “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.”
A Possible Return?
With the onset of the Marvel multiverse, for the first time in the history of MCU, there seems to be a window for Norton’s possible return to the franchise.
With fellow former heroes such as Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine and Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield’s Spider-Men formally entering the MCU, could Norton return as an alternate version of the Hulk?
Norton is Reportedly Not Welcome Back
According to Joanna Robinson’s new book MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios, Edward Norton is blacklisted from returning to the MCU.
“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,” Robinson writes.
While Whedon’s banishment from the MCU is likely the result of the numerous allegations of sexual misconduct made against The Avengers director, Norton’s exclusion points to lingering bad feelings about the actor’s time in the MCU.
Even with Secret Wars on the horizon, it doesn’t sound like we will ever see Edward Norton in an MCU film again.