Edward Norton Back as The Hulk in 'The Avengers'?

Even though Marvel has had no luck with the two versions of The Incredible Hulk it has released (the second, a much better film, probably suffered from being associated with the first), the studio might still have plans for the green guy. Not that Edward Norton's talking. As you might recall, Norton was working on an HBO documentary about the new President, called By the People: The Election of Barack Obama. So while promoting that project at the Television Critics Association tour, IGN had a chance to ask Norton that burning question: Will he be back in the Marvel Universe anytime soon. "I probably won't comment on that, just because they [Marvel] keep a pretty tight rein on what they are letting out. I'll let them say," Norton carefully remarked. Is that a yes, a no, or an I don't know? Obviously, The Avengers is at stake, and there's some word that the Hulk will have a cameo in Iron Man 2, which doesn't mean Norton will be. As for the The Avengers, which this is all leading up to, it's hard to do that without The Hulk, but again, that doesn't mean Bruce Banner will be in the movie at all. I have no doubt that Marvel wants to put The Hulk in its biggest movie ever, but he's a CGI creation that needs neither an introduction nor an alter ego in that environment. And it's cheaper than hiring Norton again. And it's not like they're going to make another Hulk movie that requires Norton's services anytime soon; I think Marvel knows people don't care about that property now.

Comments

[Asana]

I could see Norton in Avengers but Marvel seems rather tight with its money which makes me wonder how they'll ever pull it off. Depending on who gets cast, the Avengers film could be one of the biggest budgets ever before a single frame of footage is ever shot. When you look at what was done with Samuel L. Jackson and Mickey Rourke you can't help but question whether they have a full commitment (or deep enough pockets) to make Avengers happen.

[Get The Big Picture]

Well, they're going to make it, but that budget would be astronomical. You have to figure it's mostly back-end stuff, but that doesn't mean the movie can skate by at the box office. Downey, Jackson, possibly Norton, possibly Favreau directing, whichever actor gets Captain America...plus at least three villains following the Iron Man 2 model, I would imagine. Good thing they'll save money on the guy playing Thor.

What's amazing to me is that Marvel somehow wants even more stuff, more heroes, in this thing. How?