The Incredible Hulk is some thing of an outlier in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. While the 2008 film is nevertheless canon, necessary aiding characters like Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) have now not reappeared in the MCU, and the post-credits tease of Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) remodeling into the classic villain The Leader was never realized.

However, one of the biggest methods The Incredible Hulk differs from the other videos is that it is the solely one to have recast its title persona for subsequent appearances. Mark Ruffalo changed unique actor Edward Norton, beginning with 2012's The Avengers. Here's the whole lot to know about why Marvel Studios replaced Edward Norton with Mark Ruffalo.

Why Was Edward Norton Replaced as Hulk?

Edward Norton as Bruce Banner in The Incredible Hulk (2008)

The Incredible Hulk wasn't massively successful, grossing about $265 million worldwide, but it used to be obtained well enough that a casting exchange was unexpected. However, the film's production was once tumultuous. With a filmography that protected Fight Club, The Italian Job and The Illusionist, Edward Norton negotiated a deal no longer only to megastar in The Incredible Hulk however also be the uncredited screenwriter (Zak Penn, who wrote the first draft, was once credited with the aid of the Writers Guild of America as the solo writer). Norton submitted his own draft within a month, as stipulated by using his contract with Marvel Studios, and continued to revise the script well into production; according to co-star Tim Roth, who played Emil Blonsky, there were every day rewrites.

Norton and director Louis Leterrier also clashed with producers over their favored 135-minute reduce of The Incredible Hulk, a dispute that spilled out into public. Marvel Studios prevailed, however, with the theatrical launch clocking in at 112 minutes. The actor made solely pick out appearances in assist of the film's release, but he insisted that decision wasn't due to the fact of his friction with Marvel. "It has continually been my association conviction that motion pictures need to speak for themselves," he clarified, "and that understanding too much about how they are made diminishes the magic of gazing them."

Edward Norton Harbors No Ill-will Toward Mark Ruffalo Over Hulk

Edward Norton and Mark Ruffalo as Hulk in the MCU

That wasn't the last word on the subject, however, due to the fact of a document in the lead-up to Comic-Con International 2010 that Marvel deliberate to recast Norton for The Avengers, which would bring together all the heroes delivered to date in a single film. That was without delay proven in a statement by Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, issued from the set of Captain America: The First Avenger. "Our decision is genuinely no longer one based on financial factors," he wrote, in part, "but as an alternative rooted in the need for an actor who embodies the creativity and collaborative spirit of our other proficient forged members. The Avengers needs players who thrive working as section of an ensemble, as evidenced with the aid of Robert, Chris H, Chris E, Sam, Scarlett, and all of our proficient casts."

Unsurprisingly, Norton's agent fired back, calling Marvel's comments "offensive" and "a purposefully misleading, inappropriate strive to paint our purchaser in a negative light." Norton offered some other rationalization for his departure at some point of a 2014 interview, saying he had "experienced what [he] wanted to" with the part, and he "didn't want to have an affiliation with one element in any way degrade [his] effectiveness as an actor in characters."

While promoting his roles in Birdman and Moonrise Kingdom, Norton also explained the tasks of a mainstream franchise would clash with such work. Norton has due to the fact that stated he'd happily return to the MCU. He additionally established that he harbors no ill will towards Mark Ruffalo, who replaced him as Bruce Banner beginning in 2012's The Avengers.

Mark Ruffalo Was Actually Louis Leterrier's First Choice for Hulk

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Although Ruffalo was truly Leterrier's first desire for The Incredible Hulk, Marvel desired Norton due to the fact he used to be