Edward Norton Offers New Explanation for Not Playing Hulk in 'Avengers' Films

[Deadpool1986]

With the world still relishing its first peek at the Avengers: Age of Ultron trailer, Edward Norton is explaining why he's put the purple pants away for good.

The actor, who has been earning Oscar buzz for his role opposite Michael Keaton in the dramedy Birdman, spoke to NPR about why he did not play the Hulk in the Avengers films after having donned the green makeup for director Louis Leterrier's 2008 film The Incredible Hulk. Mark Ruffalo has taken over for Norton in the role since then.

"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."

Norton said he "wanted more diversity" with his career, pointing out that the schedules for films he has appeared in recently, including Moonrise Kingdom, The Grand Budapest Hotel and Birdman, would have conflicted with the Avengers films. He added that he didn't want to be associated with just one iconic character.

"I think you can sort of do anything once, but if you do it too many times, it can become a suit that’s hard to take off, in other peoples' eyes," Norton said.

This marks a somewhat different take on the situation than he offered in a Facebook post in July 2010 when it was first announced he wouldn't appear in Avengers. "It seems it won't work out for me," he wrote then about continuing on as the Hulk. "I sincerely hoped it could happen and be great for everyone, but it hasn't turned out as we all hoped."

This all begs the question of how valid Norton's latest explanation is. After all, Ruffalo has had zero trouble balancing his role as the moody superhero with starring in smaller films of his choosing. This year alone, Ruffalo has added Begin Again, HBO's The Normal Heart and the forthcoming Foxcatcher to his resume.
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/edward-norton-talks-avengers-he-743265

 

[OG_StankBrefs]

Dont nobody giva shyt bout none of dat.

Dis breh was once fukkin Salma Hayek in her prime. Claude I bet she had dat wet wet.

 

[Dominic Brehetto]

Probably didnt want to sign one of those slave marvel contracts.

 

[BulletProof]

I wish Norton would have played Banner.

One of my favorites in both respects.

 

[tonyclifton]

That's my hulk

He was a true g though when they changed the movie and told the studio to go fukk themselves


Dude easily lost tens of millions based off principal.

 

[Dominic Brehetto]

That's my hulk

He was a true g though when they changed the movie and told the studio to go fukk themselves


Dude easily lost tens of millions based off principal.

Only person seeing tens of millions from marvel is rdj. Everybody else is getting paid peanuts.

 

[wire28]

just take the L Ed, just take the L

 

[Sensitive Blake Griffin]

Ruffalo is a dope ass hulk. Norton was just so ordinary in the role.

 

[Absolut da poet ®]

ehhh

I don't really care either way just give me a Planet Hulk movie in Phase 4

 

[My Girl is Bow Legged]

First he said he wanted to do it and the studio just went with someone else now he acting like he's bigger than the role lol

Ruffalo's the better Banner either way

 

[tonyclifton]

Only person seeing tens of millions from marvel is rdj. Everybody else is getting paid peanuts.

Breh norton is elite. There is a very good chance he woulda messed with downeys pockets or at leAst gotten a producer credit. He would have caked for sure

 

[Dominic Brehetto]

Breh norton is elite. There is a very good chance he woulda messed with downeys pockets or at leAst gotten a producer credit. He would have caked for sure

Norton is elite and maybe thats the problem.

Its the same reason a lot of actors have passed on marvel films. They dont pay much and they want a huge commitment.

They probably hit norton with that 9 film contract with mediocre money and he was like

Nortons also pretty infamous for being a control freak and marvel is infamous for being penny pinchers that lock everyone(including directors) out of the editing/final version.

It was never a good match.

Ruffalo did a good job anyway and nortons hulk flick wasnt successful.

 

[TheGodling]

Edward Norton is a whiny bytch who tries to force his hand on the production almost all the time. He did it with The Incredible Hulk, it backfired when the movie didn't meet expectations and then he was a whiny bytch about it. Great actor but his bytch antics keep killing his career every time he comes back with a great performance.

 

[NobodyReally]

Probably didnt want to sign one of those slave marvel contracts.

Yeah, that's basically what he said. It does sound like Marvel likes to put those golden handcuffs on and its hard to get out of them once they do. I think for what he wants, he made the right choice.