The Astonishing Revelation: Edward Norton's Unseen Absence as The Hulk Sets the Record Straight!

Summary

Stuntman Terry Notary reveals that Edward Norton lacked interest in CGI shooting for his Hulk performance, contrasting him to Tim Roth.

Norton initially faced skepticism for his casting as the Hulk, but he brought a vibrant energy and comedic flair to the role that surpassed Eric Bana's portrayal. However, some critics believed Norton's performance lacked the same level of complexity as Robert Downey Jr.'s portrayal of Iron Man.

Norton's apparent disinterest in The Incredible Hulk production supports the argument that he may not have been the ideal choice for the role, particularly when considering director Louis Leterrier's initial preference for current Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo.

Edward Norton's portrayal of the Hulk in The Incredible Hulk received a scathing critique from a stuntman involved in the project. In the second installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Norton played Bruce Banner, who is coerced out of hiding to find a cure for his transformation into the Hulk. Unbeknownst to him, his abilities are also sought after by the US government for weaponization purposes. Despite receiving generally positive reviews from critics, The Incredible Hulk remains the lowest-grossing MCU movie to date. Norton was subsequently replaced by Mark Ruffalo, starting from The Avengers in 2012.

Actor and movement coach Terry Notary, who has worked on various MCU projects including The Incredible Hulk, shared insights about his experience in an interview included in Joanna Robinson's MCU: The Reign of Marvel Studios. Notary revealed Norton's lack of interest in participating in the CGI shooting for his Hulk performance and unfavorably compared him to Tim Roth, who portrayed the character Abomination and was praised for his level of commitment.

Norton Further Proves To Have Been The Wrong Hulk Casting

Upon the release of the movie, Norton's casting as the Incredible Hulk was met with initial doubt. Many were unsure of his potential as a lead in a superhero blockbuster, considering his previous focus on acclaimed dramas. While he received some positive reviews, the majority compared his performance to Eric Bana's portrayal in the earlier Hulk movie. Some praised Norton for injecting more energy and humor into the character of Banner. However, a few critics felt that he lacked the same depth as Robert Downey Jr.'s beloved portrayal of Iron Man.

In the years following his replacement, there have been various theories surrounding the absence of Norton as Bruce/Hulk in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) crossover film, The Avengers. Norton himself has frequently maintained that it was his personal decision and that he had no interest in being associated with the character. However, other reports suggest that Norton desired greater creative control over the character in the larger franchise plans. It is said that he had already made uncredited revisions to the 2008 movie, leading Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige to part ways with the actor.

Notary's revelation of Norton's lack of interest while working on The Incredible Hulk further supports the argument that he was ultimately the wrong choice for the role. Interestingly, the movie's director Louis Leterrier had previously stated that Ruffalo was always his top pick for the role, but Marvel insisted on casting Norton before ultimately returning to their current franchise star. Despite the unfortunate loss of William Hurt's Thunderbolt Ross, who will be replaced by Harrison Ford for Captain America: Brave New World and Thunderbolts following the actor's death, and the absence of Liv Tyler's Betty Ross and Tim Blake Nelson's The Leader in the sequel, it is evident that not every casting decision for the 2008 movie was a mistake.