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EXCLUSIVE: Back on July 14th, I scooped that Mark Ruffalo Is In Late-Stage Talks To Be Marvel’s New Hulk in ‘The Avengers’. Now I’ve just learned the ink is drying on the deal reached by Brillstein Entertainment Partners with Marvel. (There’s no official confirmation yet from Marvel whose reps aren’t available for their usual “No comment”.) So it looks like Marvel movie mastermind Kevin Feige may pull this off and bring Ruffalo along with other of The Avengers superheroes and director Joss Whedon to tomorrow night’s panel at Comic-Con.
Of course, imagine the Hollywood actor whom you’d least expect to play The Incredible Hulk in The Avengers, and maybe, just maybe, you’d come up with the Ruffalo’s name. He’s always been an actor’s actor and is getting critical raves in Focus Features’ The Kids Are All Right which opened this month. Ruffalo, of course, replaced Edward Norton who replaced Eric Bana as Hulk. Marvel made a pittance of an offer to Edward Norton to continue in the role. But it caught the actor by surprise that the studio decided to replace him altogether with no advance warning. Like Norton, Ruffalo would bring real chops to the role. But, unlike Norton, he won’t be an on-set asshole.
Remember everything that went on in 2008 when Marvel and Norton were privately and publicly feuding over the remake of The Incredible Hulk, details of which I scooped back then? Eventually they settled their issues after clashing over how to cut the $150+ million pic. But what was released was Marvel’s cut of the movie, not Norton’s. Now remember that Norton was promised big involvement and access after Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel invited the actor into the core team to rewrite Zak Penn’s script. But, in the end, Marvel ignored Norton’s ideas about how to cut the film. Even the film’s director, Louis Leterrier, joined with Norton to lobby for a longer, more detailed, more character-driven film while Marvel Studios wanted a faster, leaner one.
Sure, Norton has a difficult reputation. And he never does a lot of publicity for pics. But, basically, Marvel found him to be a pill. At the same, Marvel’s Maisel acted like a jerk. I always thought the studio would recast. Now they have.
Editor-in-Chief Nikki Finke - tip her here.
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Weird to see both of them go after a schlocky role in an ensemble comic book movie. Hope Ruffalo gets paid. He’s always interesting to watch, and (maybe) this couldn’t hurt. I’m guessing if it tanks, his reputation and credibility will be less affected than Norton’s was.
Both HULK movies sucked big time. Leterrier’s was almost just as bad as Ang’s – I almost fell asleep in Leterrier’s. Ruffalo’s great, but doubtful he’ll be able to bring anything to this role, or film. Hey at least another of our top character actors is getting a big pay check – or you could look at it like selling out – another one bites the dust.
Good choice on Ruffalo. Too bad about Norton. Marvel sound very corporate — as in phony, cheap and dull. What a missed opportunity to make money! — I was waiting for some expanded ‘Norton/Leterrier cut’ of the Hulk for a special edition dvd, which I would have bought out of interest (I never buy dvds). Guess Marvel honcheaux were still too bitter to consider making more money for their company. Still, for some reason I think the reboot Hulk was a good movie that was overlooked. It’s definitely better than Iron Man 2 and all of the Raimi Spider-Mans.
Marvel better have good writers behind The Avengers — based on photos, the Ryan Reynolds Green Lantern may be when this superhero movie fad jumps the shark
Ryan Reynolds does not have the right shape face to wear a mask.
They have Joss Whedon re-writing Zak Penn’s script for the Avengers. The same Zak Penn, who’s Hulk script was so good that they didn’t want to use Norton’s input and eventually kicked him out of the franchise. Now they have Whedon re-writing his script.
Oh, and Whedon is also directing.
The dialog of the movie is going to be a cacophonous jumble of snarky one-liners and ‘oh-aren’t-we-so-smart’ hipster drivel as the heroes seek to “bond” as buddies.
There’ll probably also be a musical number, if Whedon’s past record is anything to go by. And people thought that Peter Parker doing a dance number in Spiderman 3 was cringe-worthy; they haven’t seen anything yet.
I don’t even want to think about the thought of Whedon directing the big action set-pieces – I’ll probably go into a deep depression if I do.
Really not looking forward to this movie, and I can only hope that Thor and Captain America are good so that later on when Marvel decides to Re-boot the Avengers, they can get a possibly still young enough Hemsworth and Evans with a proper director and do the sequel…..er……..re-boot, right.
This post cracks me up as 2 years later this movie turned out to be a mega-ton hit.
I absolutely knew this movie was going to be great, and couldn’t wait until it opened. What do you think now… this movie is on track to be the highest grossing film ever, so far beating out records for Avatar, Dark Knight and Deathly Hallows – Part 2!
Sorry – what’s your definition of “jump the shark”? Green Lantern is going to make money, and as long as super heroes make the studios money, they’re sticking around.
Plus, how the hell can you judge a whole picture a year before it comes out based on four stills? Jesus.
Well, if you want a good writer, and depending on your personal tastes, they have Joss Whedon writing and directing. That alone makes me truly happy and excited about the upcoming Avengers flick. He really knows how to work and write for ensemble casts, so he is really a good fit.
This comic book trend is like a game of finacial Russian Roulette with only one empty chamber. It’s going to be interesting to watch them flop in succcession. People have money to burn. I’ll go see Hancock II before any of this antiquated overly hyped “escapism.”
Lets put this into perspective – we’re talking about another HULK movie. Why would Ruffalo and his reps be chasing a comic book movie following his amazing performance in The Kids Are All Right. Bad move by his new agency and management – who are just sniffing a big deal.
@ Wong marvels not, phony or dull, they have a vision of how they want their characters to be viewed, they’re not interested in what some actors artistic view of the character is, especially when that character and alot of its fans are older than that actors parents, Norton is an awesome actor, but the Avengers is “the” Movie to be in, The Avengers dont need Norton, Norton needs Avengers.
Norton’s doing fairly well without ‘The Avengers’. We were just sold a bill of goods on the whole deal.
…
And I like Ruffalo. I just don’t like him as Banner.
Actually Norton doesn’t need the Avengers.
His next movie is with Robert De Niro – who once said that out of the new generation of character actors, he respected Norton the most.
He had a great career before doing the Hulk, and he’ll continue to have one long after the Avengers movie is released and under-performs.
And I don’t have anything against Ruffalo, he’s a great character actor – much like Don Cheadle in Iron Man 2. But much like Cheadle in Iron Man 2, his replacing Norton is not going to have that much long-run impact. In a movie where each character’s role is already diminished thanks to the ensemble nature of the movie, as well as the fact that he has to only play half the time, as Bruce Banner with the rest of it(probably the majority)done by a CGI hulk, he’s really not going to be on for enough time to influence the audience’s opinion of him.
And much like Cheadle’s introduction to Iron Man 2 leading nowhere (whereas the expectation when Terence Howard was playing Rhodey was that there could possibly be a War Machine spin-off or cameos in other Marvel movies) Ruffalo’s addition to this movie is really just a dead-end stop gap to have someone in place for Avengers, with probably no plans for a Hulk sequel after the Avenger’s movie. The audience never connected with either new actor and there’s probably not going to be any clamor for a spin-off or sequel respectively for either character’s role.
Dumb long-term marketing decisions all round by Marvel.
Meanwhile Norton will probably move into directing and writing in a larger capacity and I wouldn’t even be surprised to see him pop up in a DC movie (hopefully with Nolan – I would love to see Nolan work with Norton) as a final FU to Feige and Marvel.
The great thing about Norton is he actually did capture work as the Hulk to help the animators. On Ang Lee’s ‘Hulk’, Lee did all the capture work. Only Bana’s face was modeled for the effects guys. I’m wondering if Ruffalo’s gonna do any cap work or if he’s just gonna provide the human face.
…
People can say all they want about Norton; he had the commitment to play the Hulk as well as Banner.
Not really. If you watch TIH with the director’s and Tim Roth’s comments you would know that most of the motion-capture work was done by two parkour athletes. And in some scenes, not even that (those scenes on the tops of the buildings), just straight on CGI.
Norton was good, I agree. But people are overreacting and giving him a way too much credit.
“I was waiting for some expanded ‘Norton/Leterrier cut’ of the Hulk for a special edition dvd, which I would have bought out of interest (I never buy dvds).”
I’m glad they went for the shorter cut. I almost died of boredom while watching 2003′s Hulk and that endless “daddy issues” blah blah blah. If The Incredible Hulk was 50 minutes longer, the same crap would have happened.
I love Norton’s acting, and I do believe that having a third actor playing the role ruins continuity (but only to an extent), but that he’s a huge pain in the ass is not news for anyone. I’m amazed by people thinking he’s some sort of victim in this whole thing.
Regarding Ruffalo, well…great actor yet a simple, humble guy on set (as far as I read about him). I’m not sure about his looks though, he’s olive skinned and I’ve always imagined Banner as a nerdish pale guy. Also, Banner is kind and gentle but he does hide a darker, somber character so I keep wondering if Ruffalo can pull that off, because he has such naturally sweet, melow eyes.
so that’s it then, huh? Like ‘Superman Returns’, this ‘Hulk’ is a bust and we’re probably going to yet another reboot (assuming Marvel is even interested at potentially striking out for a third time).
Ruffalo and Norton are pretty damn good actors. Getting Ruffalo, I consider the move half cast as I did when they got Norton for the first movie. Marvel needs to find a Lou Ferrigno type to play the Hulk instead of going cgi which I think hurt both movies.
Agree completely about casting a big (physically) actor instead of going CGI. Something about this story, its tone and what the Hulk character looks like visually is just plain goofy and weird using CGI. It works for some comics but not this one.
Agreed….someone like Joe Mangienello from True Blood.
Norton doesn’t need Avengers. He’s a respected, and great, and he’ll find plenty of other projects. I don’t care how much of an onset asshole he might be. What matters is the work. This Avengers thing is not going to keep him down in the slightest.
I can’t see Ruffalo in this role at all, and I love Ruffalo. Lately, his acting has been lazy (Shutter Island). But I guess it doesn’t matter what kind of performance he turns in, since he’ll be the Hulk for most of the time.
Very disappointed in Marvel – I was so happily surprised with Incredible Hulk. Norton was very believable as a nerdy scientist with demons, and his chemistry with Liv Tyler was searing. Oh well.
Isn’t it illegal for management company Brillstein to be negotiating deals?
Good choice but it doesn’t really matter most of the HULK’s screen time will be w/ the Hulk, not Dr Bruce (David) Banner.
This is wrong on so many levels
Nikki,
As a regular reader of your blog, I find myself dismayed at your apparent dislike of Edward Norton for some unknown reason that you obviously have not disclosed to us, your readers.
Far be it for me to get involved in such issues but I just wanted to respectfully chime in on my personal experience with Edward Norton.
I’m very perplexed, as I’m not sure which Edward Norton you’re referring to as an asshole.
I personally worked with Edward Norton on a film some years back, called “Fight Club,” and I was no more than an extra in the film. But I can tell you from my personal experience, Edward Norton was a class act and very nice and respectful of everyone on the set, Even of us extras. A sign of a really down to earth person who’s not full of himself, as you would seemingly have everyone who reads your blog, think.
If you’ve had some personal experience that proves him to other than that which I’ve stated, I am sure your readers would be very interested to hear it.
Please to use the fact that he wanted to control the making of “The Hulk” as an example. As I’m sure, if you were in his place, you would do the same. After all, it’s his name on the marquee that’s selling the movie, and Marvel obviously deemed his named an asset in being able to fill theater seats and sell and rent DVDs, otherwise they would not have hired him.
The movie did make over $250 million worldwide theatrically. That’s not including cable and network television as well as DVDs and Blue Ray sales and rental. So in the big scheme of things, he did what he was supposed to do.
If he wanted to control the way his image is used, so as to protect his career, by making sure the movie was made and released in the form as promised to him, then who can blame him?
It sounds to me like Marvel pulled a fast one of Edward Norton, not once but twice now. If you’re keeping count?
Marvel thinks they know what they’re doing but to date so far they’ve had their share of failures when it comes to releasing films based on their comic properties.
If I was Mark Ruffalo, I’d wear some sort of back protection when dealing with Marvel. As it seems they have a nasty habit of stabbing people in the back. Just an observation, that’s all.
Saying you know Edward Norton is like to work with because you were an extra is like me saying he’s a close personal friend because I saw him on the red carpet at a movie premiere.
If Marvel were the only people to accuse Norton of having a Hulked-out ego, then you might have a point. They’re not. Tony Kay (AMERICAN HISTORY X) and David Fincher have both said (in an interview with GQ in 2001) he’s a pain in the ass.
Being nice to the little guy IS something. Good to hear that of Norton. But it’s weird and nerdy for him to rewrite and re-edit so many films with which he’s involved. Why doesn’t he just pass if he has doubts about a director or script?
Norton isn’t known for being a prick to extras on sets, Desi Singh. He’s a pain when dealing with those who should be in charge of the production (directors, writers, producers…) and I can’t believe that just as an extra, you would have access to everything that happened during every Fight Club’s scene — I don’t mean to downplay your personal experience by any means though, I just believe that extras aren’t necessarily those who are in position of control anything, which is basically the people Edward Norton is known for having problems with. Plus Norton is smart enough to not be a prick to people he knows are more powerful than him (David Fincher, for instance). He’s a great actor indeed, but not quite a legend yet.
I don’t have a problem with actors suggesting new things for — and approaches of — the characters they play, but Norton has literally rewriten scripts and edited films (in American History X’s case, behind the director’s back, and to please the production company that was upset with the fact Tony Kaye’s cut was taking too long). Many people keep saying “Oh, but the script turned out just fine, didn’t it? And that’s because of his inputs”. Well, I can’t be sure about that since I wasn’t allowed to see/know the one prior to his “rewriting” job.
There’s a huge difference between being protective of your image and being a control freak. And I’m susprised by people trying to spin everything in order to make Norton look good, or even worse: a poor, helpless victim of the bad, bad, bad guys at Marvel. Give me a GIANT break! I love his acting, I’ve watched every single one of his films (I OWN not some, but many of the DVDs, including Fight Club), I love that he’s reserved and quiet and not a celebrity kind of actor…but I say this in all seriousness: he’s difficult to work with for a reason, and not a simple one. When one comes and rewrites something in order to “improve it” he’s automatically downplaying someone else’s work.
He called Marvel’s executives “obtuse” during an interview, after TIH was released and that was back when he started the whole “I’m not sure I’ll come back to play the role of Bruce Banner” thing. Calling people names in a sarcastic way is very disrespectful too — I thought (back then) that “obtuse” meant in English the same as it does in Portuguese, my mother language (and that would be something like “old” or more loosely translated as “conservative”), later on I found out it also meant “slow” and “not smart” or “lacking intellect”. That’s an awful thing to say about anyone. It pissed me off so badly that I still want to believe he meant something like “conservative” as in “not wanting to change or take risks”.
Oh, and they’re obtuse because of what? Because they didn’t agree with his ideas about the character and the movie? When TIH was released, he did a really lame promotion job, because the movie wasn’t edited the way he wanted, that’s also freaking unprofessional. I loved the final editing, I was really happy while watching TIH (minus that extra scene with featuring Tony Stark, which I thought should have been after the credits).
His job is acting. If he wants to control everything else, then he should do as Clint Eastwood and others do: write, edit, act and direct the films he’s in.
Sorry, but I have no sympathy for Edward Norton right now.
It is hard to feel sorry for Norton because he put himself in this situation. Pushing around your ego at the cost of the franchise is over the line. Not doing press at the cost of the franchise is over the line. Ruffalo will be working hard on this one and I believe his presence will sell additional tickets, especially after his oscar nomination for Kids. Take the ball and run!
While Ruffalo has decent acting ability, this move clearly seems like yet another example of liberal hollywood trying to appeal to the PC crowd by hiring a clearly effiminate, gay-friendly actor for what should be a masculine role. It will clearly backfire.
Marvel had a chance to do something big, but they have failed because this movie will never attract the male audience now that Ruffalo has been cast. Instead, the banter between Ruffalo and Chris Evans will play with the same homo-erotic undertones that Tom Cruise and Val Kilmer shared in Top Gun. When will the liberal elite in Hollywood ever learn that this is not the kind of casting or the kind of movie that real Americans want to see?
I predict it will fail.
@Whiskey: Every time I read one of your posts I throw up a little in my mouth, could you please just do us all a favor and go back to watching Glen Beck.
Seriously – what the fuck are you on? ‘Liberal Hollywood hiring an effeminate, gay-friendly actor for a masculine role’? Troll, much?
So you want Bruce Banner to be masculine? You do realize that he’s NEVER been portrayed that way. He’s a small unathletic scientist. You can play him as confident, since he’s smarter than anyone else, but masculine makes no sense to me.
“While Ruffalo has decent acting ability, this move clearly seems like yet another example of liberal hollywood trying to appeal to the PC crowd by hiring a clearly effiminate, gay-friendly actor for what should be a masculine role. It will clearly backfire.”>
“Gay-friendly”, “liberal Hollywood”…Dear Lord, Deliver me from the stereotypical expressions. Are you a birther too?
If Hollywood was *THAT* liberal, gay actors wouldn’t have to hide in the closet in order to get offers for roles in major productions (or any other production, for that matter).
You know…I can’t see why it would be problem with having a “gay-friendly” actor playing a “very masculine” role. But let’s say you make some sense (you don’t, but I’ll try to see this through your homophobic point of view): Edward Norton is also a “gay-friendly” actor, considering he’s been sort of an “independent” actor as well. And Norton looks a lot more “delicate” than Ruffalo, if you ask me — trust me, that’s not a problem at all, I DO find Norton attractive and charming. Was he inadequate for the role because of that? No.
And you predict the movie will fail based on…wait! The fact YOU think Ruffalo is “gay-friendly” (and apparently that’s a huge no no). Please give me the lottery numbers then.
There have been rumors for years now that Hugh Jackman may be gay (and I’m not talking about playing “gay-friendly” role, that’s about real life) yet he seems perfect for the very “macho” role of Wolverine. That’s called acting which is supposed the skill both Norton and Ruffalo have.
*Before you jump on me and call me a “queer” and “f**”, I’d like to inform you that I’m a girl. And a straight one (ok, I admit I’d go lesbian for Angelina Jolie, but hey, she’s The Jolie — many other straight girls would too).
P.S.: Edward Norton is a liberal. He’s even been involved with a documentary about (and praising) Barak Obama.
*I meant “…which is supposed TO BE the skill both…”. Sorry, my bad.
are you smoking the rock. mark ruffolo is an italian MAN. there is NOTHING effeminate about him. take your junk elsewhere
exactly Don…I love Norton, I really do…but Marvel wants actors to understand that these are characters that have 30-40 years of history behind them…all their motivations and reasoning is in the pages…we don’t want some actor trying to “make it his own” just to stroke an ego, because that’s all doing that really is
Very good point.
…and really good actors like Norton thrive in developing the character and story.
Now Norton and Terrance Howard will have a lot to talk about.
I’m going to have a good laugh when this bombs in spectacular fashion
It’s not going to bomb. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be a good movie, though.
@ ang smang, sorry you didn’t like leterrier’s hulk. i agree with wong, it was much better than a lot of superhero movies, and no contest between it and lee’s, which was misdirected, miscast and just misguided despite the talent involved. norton did a very good job and will be missed, but i like ruffalo so hoping he makes it his own. tho it will be tough as no doubt he’ll get little screen time in such an ensemble piece.
Agreed. Last Hulk better than both Raimi Spideys and Iron Man 2.
The interesting thing about THE HULK (besides the personnel changes)is how hard it has been to make this relatively simple material work on-screen. It’s not like we’re talking WATCHMEN or any other comic-book equivalent of “devil’s candy” that looks cinematic is hard as hell to adapt. (My own theory is that there’s essentially no there there–the Hulk appeals because of the “smash-up” factor, but doesn’t have enough character meat to work with.) Both the Lee and Norton versions had some good ideas, but they never quite made Banner “click” the way Spider-Man made Parker come to life, for example. Until this series finds a writer who can make Banner interesting/relatable enough, it’s not going to work.
Norton just can’t help himself that he’s such an asshole. Too bad, good actor, but a lousy human being. Maybe he’ll get that role as The Riddler in Nolan’s next Bat-flick….nah.
Would someone please put the brakes on producer Gale Anne Hurd…
I don’t care who controls the rights — this character, this world, it just sucks. If Ang Lee and James Schamus can’t pull it off, it ain’t getting DONE!
”Ok ED NORTON is an exceptional actor but in no way was he the ultimate reason for why hulk 2 was a successful film! what ”NIKKI” clearly dose not understand is the the popular demand for marvel films and an incredible hulk sequel. whether part 2,3,4,5,6 it dose not matter. there are more incredible hulk fans including myself a former comic book enthusiast, than ed norton fans. no offense to his acting ability. but with consideration that there are over 500 written hulk comic books dating back since the 60′s i think thats significant enuff to consider. And i think it is insult for ed norton to want to ”control” the making of the hulk when the movie is following successful comic book story lines! thats why part 3 willl feature avengers! and will continue to correlate with marvel storys. all the hulk fans will be there for part 3 with or without ed norton!! there was a part 2 only because of popular demand.. and may i add Ang Lee sucked in part 1! ed norton should feel privileged to play a role in hulk! marvel took over the movie industry every famous actor wants to be a super hero now and stan lee has surpassed steven king..so as stan would put it ”nuff said”